Project Overview
Since July 2018, I have served as the Clinical Laboratory Scientist at LSHTM’s Sierra Leone facility, overseeing core laboratory sections including Clinical Chemistry, Sample Reception, and the Biorepository. This role evolved to include Laboratory Manager responsibilities during absences, where I directed operations for multiple vaccine trials, notably the EBOVAC and PREVAC studies targeting Ebola. The project leverages my 23+ years of expertise to enhance laboratory standards and support global health research.
Key Objectives
- Achieve and maintain GCLP accreditation to ensure compliance with international standards.
- Facilitate accurate and timely data release for over 20 clinical and epidemiological studies.
- Ensure safe handling and international shipment of sensitive biological samples.
- Implement advanced laboratory information systems to streamline research workflows.
Achieve and maintain GCLP accreditation to ensure compliance with international standards.
Facilitate accurate and timely data release for over 20 clinical and epidemiological studies.
Ensure safe handling and international shipment of sensitive biological samples.
Implement advanced laboratory information systems to streamline research workflows.
Key Activities
GCLP Accreditation: Led the accreditation process, significantly raising laboratory standards and ensuring full compliance for vaccine trials, a process that involved rigorous audits and staff training.
- Sample Management: Coordinated the annual shipment of over 500 sensitive biological samples, maintaining 100% adherence to IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, enabling global research collaborations.
- LIMS Implementation: Oversaw the deployment of a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), enhancing data accuracy and timeliness across 20+ ongoing studies, including Ebola vaccine efficacy assessments.
- Assay Performance: Conducted advanced safety lab assays such as Haematology, Clinical Chemistry, and Point-of-Care Testing using Gene-xpert, critical for trial monitoring and epidemiological investigations.
- Data Integrity: Reviewed and corrected parasitology survey slide readings, adjusting malaria prevalence from 72% to 39%, contributing to a publication in PLoS One by Prof. Frank Baiden.
- Database Development: Designed a RedCap database for malaria slide results and a WHO-STV database for sample management, improving data cleaning, tracking, and accessibility.
- Query Resolution: Devised efficient processes for PREVAC, EBOVAC, and WHO-STV studies, minimizing aliquot loss and earning positive feedback from sponsors on laboratory professionalism.
- Audit Management: Successfully managed over 10 internal and external audits, consistently receiving positive feedback for robust quality systems.
- Staff Training: Ensured 100% staff competency through comprehensive training programs, empowering the team to execute duties effectively.
Outcomes and Impact
This project has yielded significant results, including the successful support of FDA-approved Ebola vaccine regimens, as documented in Lancet Infectious Diseases (2022). The adjusted malaria prevalence data enhanced trial protocols, while the LIMS and database innovations streamlined research, saving time and resources. My leadership has impacted over 1 million lives by contributing to vaccine development and strengthening laboratory infrastructure in Sierra Leone, a testament to my commitment to global health.
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