Chanda Thomas Email & Phone Number

Lawrenceville, Ga, Us

• Receives and processes environmental samples containing potentially hazardous bioterrorism agents. • Performs non-research molecular testing to rapidly identify and characterize potential pathogenic bacterial and viral treat agents.• Ensures incoming biological samples are processed and triaged by maintaining chain of custody.• Reports test results to appropriate individuals using established procedures with local, state, and federal agencies. • Performs quality control and quality assurance procedures including, but not limited to routine equipment maintenance and calibration, and documentation of quality control and quality assurance activities as needed. • Participates in cross training related to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. Available 24/7/365 to respond in case of emergency.Specialized experience: Real Time PCR, Master mix preparation, nucleic acid extraction, aseptic technique, reagent and laboratory QA/QC, Chain of Custody procedures, decontamination procedures, BSL 2/3 experience, specimen handling, Laboratory Information Management Systems, notification protocols and emergency response procedures, effective communication, time management, and quality assurance skills.Performing and interpreting a variety of specialized tests and strains, detection, and identification of pathogenic microorganisms. Assists in writing and developing internal standard operating procedures.

• Peformed PCR on purified patient samples to test for bacterial, parasitic, and fungal pathogens. • Conducted hybridization assay with species-specific probes to differentiate multiple parasites in a single patient. • Prepared chemical solutions to prepare for the hybridization assay.

Covington, Ga

• Tested food samples for E.coli, Listeria, Salmonella, etc. via SDl, PCR BAX, VIDAS, GDS, etc.• Performed FDA and/or USDA confirmation on presumptive samples.• Maintained weekly and monthly stock cultures for several microorganisms on their respective Medias. • Counted various types of plates for Yeast/Mold, Aerobic Plate Count (APC), S. Aureus Psychrotrophic, etc, microorganisms.• Counted several different types of Petrifllm for Yeast/Mold, Coliform, E.coli, APC etc. • Assisted in quality control monitoring by taking incubator temperatures, inoculating control organisms, running media controls, etc., and other laboratory quality control procedures. • Trained fellow employees as well as new employees on all techniques. • Familiarity with GMP, OSHA guidelines, FDA, BAM, APHA, and Compendium methods and procedures.• Entered results, tracked data, generated reports using Laboratory Vantage Explorer (LVX) andLaboratorv lnformation Manaqement Svstems (LIMS).

Lawerenceville, Ga

• Authored and edited Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for commercial and research and development products.• Maintained MSDS databases using SAP EH&S and EnviroMSDS.• Maintained Global MSDS Request Systems.• Produced MSDSs for BioLab sub-registrants (re-branding).

Grayson, Ga

• Performed slide agglutination assays to test antisera for Salmonella titers.• Grew Salmonella cultures from agar plates. Duties included inoculation, harvest, and Gram staining tests to ensure purity and safety of the cultures.• Absorbed antisera with Salmonella cultures to remove cross-reacting antibodies. • Organized and cataloged absorption cells and antiserum samples (pre-bleeds, in-process samples, and final bulk products).

Atlanta, Ga

• Provided administrative assistance in support of the Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases (DVRD) organization’s program operation.• Collected, compiled, and tracked data for research activities in support of the organization’s program operation.• Maintained and/or developed automated system of program-specific data to track information required for the activities of the organization. Assisted in generating a variety of reports.• Assisted in conducting specialized program activities, such as workshops, requiring interaction with internal and external scientists, other government agencies, and academic institutions.

Atlanta, Ga

• Performed Hemagglutination Inhibition tests on clinical specimens for Influenza subtyping.• Inoculated influenza viral isolates into Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell line for viral culturing• Inoculated influenza viral isolates into embryonated eggs for viral culturing.• Tracked specimens received from national and international laboratories via Access database.

Atlanta, Ga

• Performed Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and (RT) PCR on DNA and RNA HIV-1 and HIV-2 samples. • Examined differences between specific genes of HIV-1 via PCR and sequencing.• Determined the ability of HIV-1 to replicate in memory and naïve T Cells.• Performed PCR and sequenced HIV-1 regions in a Cohort of HIV+ mothers to look for differences in transmissibility of HIV.• Investigated the ability of primers to detect diverse strains of SIV and HIV-2.• Cloned and expressed several HIV-2 genes in order to study if one or more are involved in the ability of the virus to replicate in primate cells. • Performed single nucleotide polymorphism (snp) analysis on samples from Thailand to examine differences in the CCR5 gene among HIV+ patients and Highly Exposed Persistently Seronegative (HEPS) persons.

B.S., Biology

Diploma, College Prep