James Atkins Email & Phone Number

Southampton, England, United Kingdom

Part of a research, development and diagnostic support group of four clinical scientists and three technicians, focused on improving the diagnostic service in molecular microbiology, for PCR and nanopore sequencing methods.Principally, I am involved in the design, optimisation, and validation of a newly designed nucleic acid extraction chemistry for use on a highly automated sample processing workflow.Collaborated with industry partners to develop nucleic acid extraction reagents for diagnostic use.Presented my nucleic acid extraction work as part of ‘We are UHS Week’, a public outreach event to celebrate successes and innovation at the hospital.Involved in the rapid optimisation and validation of a monkeypox PCR assay in response to the 2022 monkeypox outbreak, and of a multiplexed Toxoplasma gondii PCR assay for parasitaemia monitoring in bone marrow transplant recipients.Regularly presented updates to our research group, operations and quality managers, and consultant virologists. Contributed to troubleshooting other ongoing projects.Attended ward rounds with a consultant microbiologist to Neurosciences ICU, vascular surgery, and paediatric infectious diseases, to learn more of how diagnostic work steers patient care.

Southampton, England, United Kingdom

Operated, maintained, troubleshooted, and trained staff in using automated analysis platforms for patient diagnostic tests, and in other manual diagnostic assays.Independently devised a training plan and conducted eight training sessions, each with one to two new staff, in operating rapid SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics platforms, quickly addressing training backlogs and staffing pressures during the height of the COVID pandemic.Commended by senior staff for demonstrating effective communication, breadth of knowledge, practical skills, and scientific initiative.Performed assays and authored a verification report for a new rapid PCR platform, for emergency department point-of-care (POC) respiratory virus testing. This was alongside developing a new roll in our microbiology department, for rapid diagnostics technical support.

Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

For eight weeks during the summer of 2018, I worked as a Research Intern within the Biomedical Research Group at Corporación Universitaria Remington (Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia).Co-authored a research article and a research proposal, on the subject of ongoing research which attempts to characterise the role of glycosaminoglycans in the transmission of Plasmodia from female Anopheline mosquitoes to human hosts.Gained valuable skills in scientific writing, constructing appropriate methods for future experiments based on current literature, and work experience in current research.

Master Of Research, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Distinction With Dean Of Faculty'S Recognition Of Academic Excellence

Activities and Societies: Southampton University Jazz Band (Musical Director) | Southampton University Concert Band (Assistant Conductor.

Bachelor Of Science, Biochemistry, First Class (With Honours)

Activities and Societies: Southampton University Concert Band (Vice President and Assistant Conductor) | Southampton Philharmonic Choir |.