Kieran Howard Email & Phone Number

Oxford, England, United Kingdom

Working on cfDNA analysis for several projects including AI-REAL (https://www.research.ox.ac.uk/map/ai-real-aggressive-infection-related-east-africa-lymphoma).Also assisting in maintaining, developing and upgrading the infrastructure of the laboratory including a Stock management system, sample tracking system and trend analysis

Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom

Alongside completing my MSc and training portfolio I was also responsible for archiving the laboratories NGS data to Amazon Glacier, the laboratories stock management database, and helping out the other members of the Bioinformatics team as required, such as updating our NGS exome analysis pipeline

Oxford, United Kingdom

Worked on the cancer arm on the Genomics England 100,000 Genomes Project, performing DNA extractions and quality control.I was also part of the Next Generation Sequencing team where I performed library preparation, using Illumina TruSeq Custom Amplicon Panels, and sequencing, using the Illumina MiSeq. I also quality checked the variants before passing the list of filtered variants, with comments about their quality, to the clinical scientists for their interpretation.Along with my technical work I also involved in general upkeep of the laboratory including temperature monitoring, housekeeping, stock check, validation of new equipment/techniques, and ensuring that our SOPs remain up to date. I have supervised the training of several members of staff, and I assisted in troubleshooting where necessary.During this time I also taught myself Python and created several scripts to assist staff within the laboratory including creating trend analysis graphs and automating several repetitive tasks which both freed up staff time and reduced the risk of human error. I was also responsible for maintaining and updating our sample tracking database, which is written in Python using Django, fixes any errors that arose and updating it based on my experience with the system and from suggestions from the colleagues.

Cardiff, United Kingdom

I was primarily based in sample reception. I was responsible for unpacking and sorting incoming samples, deciding which areas of the laboratory they needed to go to for the relevant diagnostic tests to be performed. I also checked our computer database against the test request form, and the Welsh Demographics Service, to ensure that we have the most up to date details for that patient and amend our records is necessary, or create a new record for them if they have not had a sample with us before. I liaised with our clinical scientists along with external clinicians and staff to ensure the information we were working with is was as accurate and up to date as possible.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Phd), Biosciences

Thesis Title: Understanding the conservation and function of regulatory elements using data-driven approaches

Master Of Science - Ms, Clinical Science (Clinical Bioinformatics), Merit

Covered topics including: Health Informations, Clinical & Scientific Computing, Applied NGS and Advanced Clinical Bioinformatics..

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Molecular Biology, 2:1

Activities and Societies: Act One (Drama Society) - Theatre Technician/BackStage Crew Rifle Club - .22 indoor target shooting along.