Nick Dawson Email & Phone Number

Hinxton, England, United Kingdom

• Curator of the Host-microbiota interactions lab’s collection of anaerobic gut commensals which involves consolidating and creating a database and now continuous safe-guarding, addition and supply.
• The Sanger is primarily a genetics institute, I utilise the collection to validate genomic predictions, for example phenotyping at scale using the Omnilog for nutrient utilisation.
• Creating novel methods to answer research questions and cross validate findings.
• DNA extractions from faecal samples for metagenomics, long and short read sequencing of new isolates, and RNA sequencing related to metabolomics and phenotyping.
• Lab and instrument maintenance, Fire Marshall etc

Milton Keynes

• Seconded as a specialist in qPCR during initial manual testing stage
• Sample handling, operation of liquid handing systems including training and supervision

Waltham UK

• As Mars Petcare’s foundational research facility I worked with cat and dog samples resulting in papers and patents, further developing products such as Dentastix;
• For oral health I designed assays for bacterial adherence, measuring biofilm growth and agents’ ability to reduce plaque, including developing a patented biochemical measure of sulphur gas from bacteria causing bad.
• For digestive health, used fermenters investigating prebiotics effect on population changes.
• Troubleshooting DNA extraction towards lesser studied sample types such as plaque and implementing the epMotion liquid handling system for high throughput.
• Vet diagnostics including use of the AU480 bioanalyzer, Stat prime and immunological profiling with Luminex.
• As a lab owner I was responsible for upkeep of SOPs, risk assessments, training and ensuring safety standards were met, including a site lab auditing process.

Fordham

• Compiling, monitoring and distributing large collections of pathogens as part of the largest resistance surveillance programmes: BSAC, Vetpath and EASSA.
• Novel and high throughput antimicrobial susceptibility methods building a strong working knowledge of CLSI, EUCAST guidelines.
• Maintaining and supervision of a containment level 3 lab.
• SNP analysis of cancer patient samples, and viral expression assays from extracting, amplifying and sequencing to analysis of the targeted genes.
• PCR of large numbers of bacteria in surveillance of resistance genes and RT-PCR quantification of clinical trial samples for example viral loads in blood serum and remnant host cell DNA in protein-based pharmaceuticals.
• Lab-lead screening urine samples for detection and storage of CMV on fibroblast cells before characterisation via plaque reduction assays.

Performing routine checks along a desert production line, lid seal seal, label, constituent and cleanliness assurance.

• Working in the pharmacy I supervised and was the final check of all preparations and the accompanying paperwork.
• Storage and sampling, coordinating with suppliers, customers and logistics.
• Writing method statements, preparation sheets and COSHH assessments.
• First aider

Master'S Degree, Clinical Microbiology, Merit

NHS registered MSc Diagnostic Microbiology and Laboratory Methods, Viral Pathogenesis and Infections, Advanced Clinical Microbiology.

Bachelor Of Science (Bsc), Biomedicine

Activities and Societies: Football, rugby, debate team