Melissa Thomas Email & Phone Number

Sydney, Nsw, Au

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Primary Focus: Scientific and non-scientific writing/editingContracts:- DCP Global: (PrCRK) Australian Rural Accent Smart Device Training Project - helping to train systems taking voice commands- Orienteering NSW Project Officer: Improving performance reporting (developing procedures/frameworks), developing/updating regulatory and compliance documents

Sydney, Australia

Primary Focus: Development of EasyScreen pathogen detection kits for infectious disease.Key responsibilities:o Development of molecular diagnostic assays for pathogen detection, in particular, viral and bacterial causal pathogens for meningitis and central nervous system disorders.o Performing/assisting with trials of the developed products; working collaboratively with external parties to perform studies/publish results.o Working collaboratively alongside Validation, Quality Control, Regulatory and Sales & Marketing teams to achieve company goals.Achievements:o Development of a Viral Meningitis Detection Kit, currently being sold as a RUO product in the UK. Completion of a published study with Royal Melbourne Hospital using the developed kit.

Sydney, Australia

Primary Focus: Gastro-oesophageal cancer researchKey responsibilities:o Design, co-ordination and completion of a DNA methylation biomarker discovery project for early phase oesophageal adenocarcinoma. o Management of and involvement in several ongoing oesophageal research projects (lncRNA sequencing, proteomics, prognostic biomarker evaluation, oesphageal stem cell research and obesity projects).o Co-ordination and involvement in the activities of PROBE-NET (The Progression of Barrett’s Esophagus to Cancer Network), a collaborative, multi-state, multi-disciplinary research groupo Grant application preparation (NHMRC and other), ethics applications, co-ordination and management of both research projects and research staff.Achievements:o Concurrently completed my PhD ‘DNA Methylation Biomarkers for Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma and Precursor Disease’ (2017, School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame Australia)o Part of an expert panel to evaluate literature and compile results to create the Cancer Council Australia Oesophageal Biomarker Wiki (www.wiki.cancer.org.au)

Sydney, Australia

Primary Focus: Colorectal cancer biomarker identification and test developmentKey responsibilities:o Identification and evaluation of proprietary biomarkers (RNA, methylated DNA and protein) in human tissue, stool, whole blood, plasma and serum specimenso Transferring R&D protocols into SOPs for clinical evaluation of selected biomarkers, semi-automation of research techniqueso Development and optimisation of RNA, DNA and protein extraction methods as well as a diverse range of PCR technologies for RNA splice variant and DNA methylation detectiono Laboratory management, coordination and overseeing of ordering, equipment purchase and maintenance, implementation of laboratory systems, OHS representativeAchievements:o Member of a small dynamic team successfully translating DNA methylation research into a clinical assay ready for commercialisation in a time frame of less than a year (test now on the market)o As Laboratory Manager, maintained a smoothly functioning laboratory, helping the team to achieve milestones; managed OHS compliance

Dresden Area, Germany

Primary Focus: Modelling tuberculosis to investigate disease treatment and preventionKey responsibilities:o Development of a kinetic phagocytosis assay using live cell fluorescence microscopy, performing siRNA / chemical screening on macrophage cells infected with Mycobacterium avium (a tuberculosis model)o Working with a high throughput team to transfer assays to large scale screening tests, performing multiple week-long screening experiments.o Project management and reporting, budgeting.Achievements:o World-leading research into live cell florescence microscopy using a tuberculosis model (mycobacterium infection of mouse macrophage cells; chemical and siRNA screening)o Invited speaker at the Cellomics conference in Dublin, Ireland, 2008.

Sydney, Australia

Primary Focus: Prostate cancer diagnosticsKey responsibilities:o Identification of potential biomarkers for bladder/prostate cancer, antibody evaluation and testingo Diagnostic test development for disease recognition in urine using prostate cancer specific antibodieso Laboratory set-up and installationAchievements:o Project leadership and management (prostate cancer specific antibody testing and diagnostic test development)o Transformed empty space into functional laboratories within a short time frame including wet lab, dark room and cell culture facilities.

Berlin Area, Germany

Primary Focus: Short term contract as native English communicator for a German companyKey responsibilities:o Writing an instruction manual for a multi-purpose piezo electric micro-dispensing instrumento Instrument and software testingo Writing website content, specification sheets, brochures, other related scientific writingo Translation (German to English) of scientific writing as requiredAchievements:o Created a functional, easy-to-use, professional instruction manual for a scientific instrument. Calls to technical support reduced by 90% following distribution of the manual.

Sydney, Australia

Primary Focus: Developing alternative techniques for protein analysisKey responsibilities:o Performing protein isolation, identification and analysiso Use of micro-dispensing instrumentation bringing chemistry to proteins immobilised on membranes (for identification and characterisation)o Protocol development and optimisationo Research, development and testing of innovative proteomic instrumentation and associated kitso Mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) testing and maintenanceAchievements:o Working in collaboration with a Japanese team on the further development and improved functionality of a micro-dispensing instrumento Development of micro-dispensing associated kits from raw materials to a ready-to-sell stage.

Sydney, Australia

Primary Focus: Chemical processing of samples for isotopic dating of glacial rockKey Responsibilities:o Preparation of samples for accelerator mass spectrometry; physical and chemical extraction of beryllium and aluminium from rock samples for glacial geochronology projectso Troubleshooting and optimisation of sample preparation procedures Achievements:o Single-handedly preparing samples from raw material (collected by geologists) to cathode-loaded samples under time pressure.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Dna Methylation Biomarkers For Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma And Precursor Disease

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Chemistry, Mathematics, With Distinction