pia nielsen

* I was responsible for the coordination of several clinical trials and the laboratory analysis of trial samples in cardiac surgery as detailed below. Clinical Trial Coordination: * Ensuring that all trial documents and site files were up to date, both electronically and in hard copy. * Assisting with the development of case report forms and liaising with data management to produce electronic case report forms. * Day to day trial activities were: Screening, approaching and consenting patients. Conducting patient follow-ups. Liaising with pathology, nurses and surgical staff. Collecting trial data and ensuring that biological samples were collected at the correct time and were analysed promptly. * Responsible for completing and reporting serious adverse events, protocol deviations, non-substantial and substantial amendments. * Liaising and assisting with trial set-up and initiation at multiple sites. * Liaising with various companies and suppliers for trial materials, shipments and laboratory supplies. Laboratory: As detailed in the Research Scientist post below.

3 months assisting with the preparation and analysis of Vitamin D samples in clinical chemistry pathology using UPLC.

* Learnt various laboratory techniques (UPLC, HPLC, ELISA, TLC, GC-MS, Gel Electrophoresis) * Gained knowledge on validating patient results, as well as correlating these results to a patient’s disease state.

* Responsible for sample preparation, and performing manual and automated analysis of research samples using predominantly ELISA and flow cytometry to produce data for several research investigations. * Recording and maintaining an up to date and precise record of results, and on occasion interpreting and presenting results to colleagues. * Ensuring laboratory equipment underwent the necessary maintenance, and that any equipment problems were dealt with quickly and efficiently. * Ensuring the laboratory was clean and tidy. * Categorising and maintaining the appropriate storage of research samples. * Writing and maintaining laboratory standard operating procedures. * Keeping current with scientific knowledge and techniques by attending training courses and seminars.

My research focused on alternative treatments for a parasitic disease known as schistosomiasis. The main laboratory skills gained were in vitro culturing of the parasites, parasitic transformation, in vitro based drug screening and microscopy. I also obtained an accredited Laboratory Animal Science certificate for animal experimentation in mice and rats.

The degree focused on human physiology and disease, and included a placement year at the Bristol Royal Infirmary in clinical chemistry pathology.