Chris Plinston Email & Phone Number

Falkirk, Gb

Falkirk, Gb

Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom

I've served as a dedicated Biological Safety Officer for two expansive, multi-disciplinary sites in Scotland's Central Belt, encompassing a diverse range of facilities, from biological and chemistry wet labs to electronics, hardware, and software labs. My responsibilities extended to providing specialized support in biological, chemical, and general health and safety on-site, benefiting all Central Belt sites, while also remotely supporting all UK lab locations.Operating within the framework of an ISO 9001 & 13485 Quality Management System, I collaborated closely with key stakeholders to develop and implement comprehensive lab inspections and fostered the growth of the Lab Management and Health and Safety employee representative group. My commitment to safety is further exemplified through the development and implementation of essential biological and chemical safety awareness training, seamlessly integrated with task-specific training protocols.Additionally, I am currently in the process of developing CL3 and CL2 lab audit systems to enhance regulatory compliance and safety within the organization. My role also involves establishing essential liaisons with regulatory bodies, such as the Health and Safety Executive, Home Office Drugs Licensing, Police Scotland, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, to address a wide spectrum of health, safety, fire, and licensing matters, ensuring full compliance and safety across all operational facets.

Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom

In my role, I lead the Pathogen Services team, which plays a vital role in providing assay testing, novel assay development, and pathogen culture support to the antigen and molecular teams. Additionally, I have spearheaded the development of reference standard materials for the assay and research & development teams, and my team is responsible for in-house validation and quantification of these materials.My position requires adaptability, as I regularly handle requests for assay development and manage their prioritization alongside routine lab operations. I also take charge of directing, coordinating, and planning service and maintenance activities, including HVAC and the Building Management System. My responsibilities encompass ensuring the reception of all health and safety documents and providing training for offsite personnel before their work commences. I am also responsible for compiling service records for inspection and audit purposes.Furthermore, my role involves robust health and safety management, which encompasses conducting risk assessments, delivering safety training, and implementing a comprehensive risk management system to enhance awareness of potential hazards and risk prevention. I routinely conduct laboratory inspections and equipment testing to meet the stringent COSHH requirements.With extensive experience in QA management in compliance with ISO 9001 & 13485 standards, I specialize in writing and reviewing SOPs, addressing planned deviations and quality events, reviewing lab workbooks, and actively participating in quality audits. In addition to my technical expertise, I bring strong skills in team management, project prioritization, and training.

Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom

With a proven track record in the development of critical SARS-CoV-2, HIV, and Strep A antigen and molecular IVD assays, I've played a pivotal role in advancing diagnostic capabilities. My contributions have been instrumental in ensuring the accuracy and effectiveness of these vital diagnostics, ultimately impacting healthcare outcomes positively.In my capacity as a team leader, I've demonstrated strong leadership by taking responsibility for team training and designing career progression plans in close collaboration with my team members. This approach not only ensures a high level of expertise within the team but also fosters a growth-oriented environment where each member can thrive and contribute their best.Moreover, my commitment to operational excellence is evident in my successful introduction of the eLAB biological management system and the implementation of the CommonSENSE real-time fridge/freezer monitoring systems across the organization. These initiatives have significantly enhanced efficiency and organization throughout the company, ensuring that our operations run seamlessly and that resources are optimized.In addition to my leadership and project management skills, I am deeply committed to health and safety within the laboratory. I actively engage in comprehensive training activities, overseeing progress and delivering targeted training for specific tasks while maintaining rigorous adherence to health and safety practices. My experience and dedication align with my passion for ensuring that our work environment is not only productive but also safe and compliant with industry regulations.

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Integral to the work on several neurodegeneration projects involving transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE). Working within a team but responsible for different aspects of each study.Laboratory module manager. Liaise with different group members to ensure the lab is utilised to its full potential and users are informed of health and safety requirements.QA Manager. I routinely develop QA (SOP and risk assessment) protocols as well as manage their application and distribution within the group and institute.

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Responsible for looking at the dissemination of miRNA’s in the lung using aerosol based technologies. Part of a larger group investigating the properties of miRNA’s with regards to Influenza and RSV knock down.

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Assay development - Confirmation dependant immunoassay to detect prion proteins.5 years’ experience in tissue culture – Training in extraction and growth of primary neuronal and glial colonies from transgenic mouse embryos, as well as cloning and stem cell culture for the development of 2 novel GSS mutants.Responsible for training staff in general lab techniques and tissue culture.

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Responsible for experiments involving TSE removal from surgical instruments.Developed and patented a novel decontamination technique (Electro-elution). Working in conjunction with industrial assets to develop the equipment, design and test the equipment. Ultimately presenting and publishing the findings.

Rockville, Maryland

Working as part of a team I performed analysis of cell-lines, pharmaceutical products and vaccines for the presence of infectious viruses via PCR and qPCR under GLP regulations.Expertise in Bio-distribution studies, DNA restriction, plasmid purification, and primer design.Development of new methods and their validation.Responsible for the blood-borne pathogen safety.

Bachelor'S Degree, Biology/Biological Sciences, General

A-Level