Mycoplasma Experience, Reigate, UK
Consultancy & Contract research June 1998, August 2000, September, 2008,
Establish Molecular Diagnostics laboratory for mycoplasma, haemoplasma and phytoplasma detection 2013 - present
The Pirbright Institute (formerly IAH) – Pirbright, UK
Scientist (Casual), Consultant (NA sequencing) March 2003 –September 2003
Scientist (6PD) September 2003 – December 2004
Project Manager EU FMD-CSF Coordination Action January 2005 – August 2008
FAO/EuFMD Balkans Preparedness Project May 2012 – March 2013
Senior Scientist (5PD) January 2005 – November 2013
- Managed the EU Coordination Action (CA) project on FMD and CSF (FP6-513755), €1.4 million.
- Strengthened the OIE/FAO FMD Reference Laboratories Network, gained OIE endorsement.
- Establishment the International FMD Strategic Reserves Network, gained OIE endorsement.
- Lead the Communication task, D-WP9 (see Final Report).
- Managed the startup, delivery and content of CA project website and project deliverables, and within it I had a leading role in the development and delivery of Reference Laboratory Information System (ReLaIS) and EURL (EU Foot-and-mouth Disease Reference Laboratory).
- Managed reporting to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and deputised for the head of Foot-and-mouth Disease World Reference Laboratory during the 2007 outbreak.
- Secretariat for the International Foot-and-mouth Disease Vaccine Strategic Reserves Network (see WP4 in Final Report).
- Represented IAH at the European Technology Platform for Global Animal Health (ETPGAH) and in the Coordinating Forum of the EU Epizone project and provide high level scientific and financial management inputs.
- Scientific research on FMD persistence, including numerous animal challenge experiments, was mainly with the Pathogenesis Group, where I had leading roles in grant writing and UKAS accreditation to ISO9001. I have trained and supervised junior scientists and PhD students and have an active role in the writing of reports, publications and funding proposals. I provided emergency cover for two ISO17025 FMD diagnostic tests. With the FMD Vaccines Group, I was the project manager and lead scientist in the study of marker vaccines and conducted cattle trials at OVI, South Africa and DTU, Denmark.
- Lead and managed the Diagnostic Development Team in the Vesicular Diagnosis Group and transfer of commercially focused diagnostic assay kits and reagents. Coordinated the diagnostic team in the delivery of the annual FMD Diagnostic course.
- Redesigned and modernised the reagent and kit production facilities and practices.
- Managed the internal and external (supplier and distributor) teams and relationships.
- Provided client ‘wrap around services’ and troubleshooting for National Reference Laboratories.
- Line managed staff and performance.
- Achieved a 300% rise in sales in 2012 maintained in 2013.
- Commercialized 3 new products in 2012/2013.
World Bank. Consultant
Republican Centre of Veterinary Diagnostics, Moldova. March 2006
Veterinary Laboratory & Livestock & Pasture Institute, Kyrgyzstan. August 2006
- Provided emergency field and laboratory responses to the Government of Botswana during the CBPP outbreak that was controlled.
- Established the molecular biology diagnostic laboratory at NVL, Botswana, and trained four staff in serology and molecular diagnostics for CBPP.
- Denmark, Tanzania and Mali: furthered CBPP molecular research, laboratory setup and lecture/train on diagnostic techniques, respectively.
- Assisted the Governments of Moldova and Kyrgyzstan in the planning and implementation of country veterinary laboratory networks and laboratory needs.
International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna. Consultant
OAU-IBAR/PACE - Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania. February 2002
Workshop and RCM - Central Veterinary Laboratory, Bamako, Mali. February 2003
DFID/PAN Livestock Services Limited, UK. Consultant
National Veterinary Laboratory, Gaborone, Botswana. October – December 2000
June – August 2001
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. Consultant
National Veterinary Laboratory, Gaborone, Botswana. September 1995
National Veterinary Laboratory, Gaborone, Botswana. April – December 1998
Danish Veterinary Laboratory, Copenhagen, Denmark. September – October 1999
Secretariat of CBPP Consultative Group (1998 to 2003).
Balkans Preparedness Project, Balkans. August 2012 – February 2013
- Conducted a Gap analysis on laboratory preparedness in Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Moldova, Serbia.
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale, G.Caporale, Teramo, Italy
Molecular Biology Consultant. February 1994 – March 1998
Head of Molecular Biology. February 1994 – June 1997
Coordinator EU Project FAIR1-CT95-0711. May 1995 – March 1998
- Headed the Molecular Biology Department with complete scientific and financial managerial responsibilities managing $US1.2 million;
- Planned, constructed and established the Molecular Biology Laboratory.
- Many grants written and won from regional and central government.
- Trained eight scientists in general and diagnostic molecular techniques on mycoplasmas, Brucella, E.coli, Salmonella, Leishmania and piroplasmas.
- Instigated, secured funding and coordinated EU FAIR project (FAIR1-CT95-0711) CBPP, managing €1.5 million, including scientific direction and financial supervision of partner European laboratories, organised project meetings, and reported all scientific and financial deliverables directly to the European Commission.
- Achieved OIE recognition and recommendation for the test for CBPP detection/differentiation; in the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals.
- Convenor of Working Group 1, Molecular Genetics of the EC-funded COST 826 project.
Veterinary Laboratories Agency, (then AHVLA, now APHA), Weybridge, UK.
Visiting Research Fellow June 1992 – October 1993
Consultant September & November 1999; March – July 2000
Scientist (Band D) September 2000 – October 2002
Casual Consultant Scientist December 2002 – February 2003
- Established new avian molecular diagnostic laboratory and validated tests for avian viruses.
- Developed and established molecular diagnostic tests in Mycoplasma and Brucella Units, for diseases of ruminant livestock and poultry, and from terrestrial and marine species, respectively.
- Commercialized pleuroTRAP for CBPP.
- Line managed, supervised and trained co-workers in good laboratory practice and the maintenance of accreditation;
- Prepared and won research proposals and wrote and published scientific manuscripts.
CSIRO, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Australia.
Research Scientist November 1989 – November 1991
- Developed two new molecular identification and pathotyping systems for Newcastle Disease and Avian Influenza viruses
- Secured Australian Egg Corporation funding to validate these tests at the Avian Virology Unit of Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Weybridge, UK;
- Trained two scientists and a technician to competency on these tests;
- OIE recognition as preferred/recommended tests for AI and NDV; in the OIE Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals;
- Developed Molecular detection/identification tests for ruminant mycoplasmas;
- Mentored and supervised post-graduate MSc student to achieve the higher degree in mycoplasmas research.
Monash University Medical School, Australia.
Tutor Microbiology & Medical Microbiology, final year Science & 4th year Medical students January 1981 – 1985
Senior Tutor, 4th year Medical students January 1985 – 1988
Research Scientist II January 1987 – 1989
Senior Research Assistant/Demonstrator (Casual) December 1991 – June 1992
- Taught Microbiology to 3rd year science (Clayton) & 4th year medical students at Monash University Medical School, Prahran;
- Awarded PhD for molecular characterisation of two insect small-RNA viruses;
- Established and managed an independent, NATA accredited, human diagnostic laboratory;
- Supervised of up to six scientists, technicians, and couriers;
- Made Honorary Lecturer of the Microbiology Department.
Pathology Services (Geelong), Australia.
Hospital Scientist December 1979 – January 1981
- Scientist-in-charge of Bacteriology, all day-to-day management and reporting duties;
- Supervised and trained two graduate technicians;
- Trusted with On call and emergency work for Bacteriology, Biochemistry, Haematology and Pathology.