Zaid K Alghrair

BSc, MSc, PhD

adzums@r.postjobfree.com +44(0) 747-***-****

** ******** ****** / ** ***. Liverpool, UK.

Have the right to stay and work at UK.

Asylum granted as a refugee.

Dependable Researcher with about 20 years’ experience in the field of microbiology offers keen attention to detail and excellent work ethic for reliable results. Plans and organises methodically to achieve tasks within strict deadlines. Communicates findings through detailed reports and presentations for increased subject understanding with very good experience with GMP, GLP, Clean rooms, validation, water analysis and lab management. I am thoroughly inspired by molecular microbiology, virology, influenza viral vaccines, antiviral peptides, drug delivery, drug discovery, nanoparticles characterisation, nanomedicine, bacteriophages, and bacteriology research which is reflected in my ability and desire to develop novel research ideas or problem solve research obstacles. I wish to continue my career in virology, molecular microbiology, drug delivery nanotechnology and biomedical research as despite being challenging at times I have experienced first-hand how engaging and rewarding it can be.

Academic Qualifications

PhD Pharmaceutical microbiology virology, University of Liverpool May 2014-May 2018

Advisors: Prof David G Fernig, Dr Bahram Ebrahimi.

The aims of the project are:

Flu virus propagation, purification, determination of viral titer and pfu/ml.

Inhibition of influenza virus infection by (gold and silver nanoparticles) functionalised with peptide-based drug (FluPep) regardless the virus species.

Probing the peptide nanoparticles conjugates to nanoparticles to understand how the conjugates work taking advantages from the unique electronic properties of gold and silver nanoparticles like surface plasmone resonance.

To identify the mechanism of FluPep antiviral activity.

To establish if a polyvalent FluPep is more effective.

To design a more potent FluPep.

Study the interaction between nanoparticles-Flupep conjugates with MDCK cells throughout plaque assay and determination of IC50 and TCID50

MSc Microbiology/ bacteriology, The University of Baghdad Sept 2004- Sept 2007

Advisors: Prof Harith Fahad, Prof May Talib.

The aims of the project:

•Identification of coagulase negative Streptococcus Xylosus which is recently proved to be another causative agent of urinary tract infection (UTI) other than the usual and common causative agent, by morphological and biochemical tests.

•Study the bacterial virulence factors which cause the main bacterial pathogenicity in UTI.

•Sensitivity test with several antibiotics against Streptococcus Xylosus,

•In vivo study by using mice, then prepare different bacterial concentrations of the whole bacteria and inject mice intra-urethral.

•Study the histopathological effect of the bacterial toxins compared with control one which is injected with saline.

BSc Microbiology, the University of Baghdad Sept 1999- Aug 2003

Training courses

FLTHE Stage 1 Cohort 2 at the academy department university of Liverpool 2022-23

The aim of Stage 1 of Foundations of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (FLTHE) is to introduce the candidate to the theory and literature on good practice in teaching and learning. It is aimed at those new to teaching and those who are interested in teaching in higher education.

In Stage 1 we explore some of the theory in the online sessions and had the opportunity to explore this further and put this into practice in the face-to-face session. There were three webinars and face-to face session which involved presentation.

Advanced Demonstration and communication skills at the Centre for Lifelong Learning University of Liverpool 10/2018.

Small demonstrators’ group from different scientific backgrounds discussed the basic and advanced communication skills, the properties of successful demonstrator, the roll of the demonstrator and how to deal with student conflict if it is existed with different examples.

Work experience

Postdoctoral research associate molecular microbiologist at university of Liverpool department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology & Immunology Feb2023-present

Project title (defining the functional basis of the survival and replication of African Salmonella in human phagocytic cells)

The main achievement of this post-doctoral project is:

Demonstrated how these African pathovariants can survive and replicate so well in the bloodstream, specifically inside human macrophages.

I Investigated the mechanism of invasive non typhoidal Salmonella iNTS pathogenesis used by African and gastroenteritis-associated Salmonella to survive in human macrophages. Several techniques were involved such as combination of functional transcriptomics, comparative genomics, phenotypic characterisation, and global transposon mutagenesis (TraDIS). My part in this project was genomics-focussed.

RNA extracted, sequenced and RNAseq-based datasets were analysed, experimental evolution to positively-select for gain-of-function mutations, genome-wide mutagenesis to identify loss-of-function mutations that prevent intracellular-replication of African-Salmonella in human cells.

Investigate different experiment on bacteriophages associated with Salmonella infection.

Studied the growth profiler of different Salmonella species and the data presented through R Studio.

Plasmid extraction, DNA extraction, electrocompetent cells preparation and transformation experiment have been done on different Salmonella species with different plasmids.

Studied the biofilm formation ability of different Salmonella species.

Honorary research at university of Liverpool department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology & Immunology Sept. 2022 -Jan2023.

The main achievement

Investigated the effect of prophages (Ꝋ2, Ꝋ3, Ꝋ4) on the infectivity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa epidemic strain (Liverpool strain) in comparison with laboratory strain by using LB broth and M9 as a medium for growth.

Determined the growth curve of the three prophages and enumerate of the pfu/ml, and cfu/ml by using plaque assay.

Titrated different phage by plaque assay.

I analysed and interpreted the data by R Studio.

Lab supervisor at university hospital of Plymouth - Lighthouse lab NHS trust COVID 19 lab Feb-2021 to Nov.-2021

Duty and responsibilities:

Deputised Shift Manager in the management of the clinical technical service provided by the laboratory and ensuring that this meets the requirements of the clinical leads.

Coached junior team members to improve their skills and increase work quality across team as I led 27 lab techs.

Trained all new staff and introduced them to the lab machines, SOPs and risk assessment.

Motivated a staff of 27 lab techs by setting challenging targets and offering new incentives.

Maintained a high standard of health and safety, allowing us to pass several inspections with high score.

Delivered a safe service for the staff and stakeholders by making sure that all accreditation standards set by national bodies, including UKAS are met, as it is part of my job role, and understanding the use of ISO 15189: 2012 standards.

I improved the staff speed, quality, and accuracy, appropriate to the level of experience and by providing the essential training relevant to their performance level.

Participated in the implementation of any procedural changes required by the Laboratory Management team and disseminate information relating to them.

Responsible for the adequacy of maintenance, repair, servicing, and safety of all equipment within the section.

Troubleshooted the abnormal or unexpected results and ensuring prompt reporting, follow up and referral to my staff as required.

Clinical operations manager at Ecolog-international Limited (COVID-19 lab) Ramsgate, UK Nov-2020 to Feb-2021

Duty and responsibilities:

Supervised all the staff and making sure they achieved the maximum level of training and competency for their roles by providing the essential training suitable for their roles.

I led a staff of four teams, provided them with effective management of full 7-day 24/7 rotas across the lab.

Motivated a staff of four teams by setting challenging targets and offering new incentives.

Managing laboratory operations and setting up the environmental monitoring.

Organised and coordinate the roles and responsibilities of the technical team in compliance with college policies and procedures and in accordance with Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP), ICH-GCP and other accreditation guidelines (e.g. ISO 15189:2012 Standards).

Validated lab machines for COVID-19 testing such as (TECAN, HAMILTON, APRICOT, KINGFISHER, MANTIS, AGILENT BRAVO and RT-qPCR), trained the lab technicians and introduced them to the SOPs and LIMS.

Tested methodologies include RT_qPCR in a highly automated workflow involving several different high throughput liquid handling robots, as well as digital tracking software, solved trouble shooting.

Liaised with the Quality Assurance Manager to developed and review Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Honorary research fellow at university of Liverpool, institute of integrative biology, department of biochemistry Jun-2018-Nov-2020

The main achievement

Investigated the viral binding sites.

Targeted the viral binding sites using flu-peptide by triggering a competition with the virus and block the virus attachment which is the first step in the viral replication cycle then clear the virus.

Designed a robust antiviral agent based on the identification of the viral binding sites.

Improved a protocol for viral quantification assay and chromatography techniques.

Finished my two papers yielded by my PhD thesis and then there is scope for a third one, which is what i worked on in the coming year in the field of anti ‘flu peptide functionalised nanoparticles.

Trained and introduced to many techniques such as, SDS-PAGE, Western blot, protein purification techniques, nanoparticles preparation, tissue culture techniques and viral assays.

Laboratory Demonstrator, University of Liverpool, school of life science Sep-2015-April-2019

Modules:

Biochemical methods, lead advisor: Dr Mark Wilkinson

Essential Skills for the Life Sciences, lead advisor:Dr Robert Treharne

Essential Skills for the Life Sciences 2 (BioStatistics), lead advisor: David Montagnes

Techniques in cell biology level 2, lead advisor: Dr. Rachel Floyd

Advanced microbiology techniques, lead advisor: Dr. Heather Allison

Job duties:

Developed students' skills such as measurement, observation, and through engaging lesson material.

Demonstrated complex techniques from microbiology to biochemistry.

Equipped students with specialised skills including microbiology, biochemistry and virology according to syllabus requirements.

Promoted positive student interaction, exchange of views and open communication to facilitate the learning process.

Supervised groups of students per class.

Supported students through experiment design, revision and analysis to facilitate optimum.

Teaching assistant to undergraduate microbiology, biochemistry students for their core 1st and 2nd year laboratory based module. Assisted in student’s experimental design, teaching laboratory technique and safety, and marking their assessments and essays.

Microbiology lab supervisor at Almansoor pharmaceutical company in Iraq/Baghdad Sep-2007-Jun2013

Duty and responsibilities:

Supervised and Line management of technical and key management staff of 20 biomedical scientists and ensuring all lab staff have achieved training and competency for their roles.

Ensuring all investigations and the review of microbiological data is performed to cGMP and cGLP standards.

Providing Quality Management Systems including non-conformances, change management and quality risk management.

Performing.

Trained junior staff in processes and procedures.

Performing data verification of test data and results.

Conducted routine and non-routine microbiological testing of samples (environmental monitoring techniques, bioburden, endotoxin, water testing, disinfectant efficacy and sterility testing as well as microbial identification) to support the manufacturing of commercial products (vaccines, small molecule, biologics)

Improved test methods, and SOP (standard operating procedures)

Ensuring compliance for a microbiology laboratory within the pharmaceutical industry.

Providing the resources to ensure microbial media management and microbial limit tests are performed to the required standards, along with the oversight of sterility testing, endotoxin testing and compliance to environmental monitoring and water sampling regimes, as required.

Microbiologist at Almanor private clinical laboratory in Iraq/Baghdad Oct-2003-July/2007

Duty and responsibilities:

Collecting and preparation of biological samples for testing as appropriate.

Identified fungal, parasitic, viral, and bacterial infections.

Demonstrated whether the samples meet laboratory standards and document any quality issues and ensure materials are properly disposed of.

Tested the strength and virulence of microbes.

Used a variety of biochemical and molecular methods to identify organisms that cause infection.

Collaborated and liaised with healthcare professionals and industrial or clinical colleagues.

Demonstrated the results in a timely manner including results that require further investigation.

Recorded, analysed, and interpret data.

Have written research papers, reports, and reviews.

Publications

Alghrair, Z. K., Fernig, D. G., & Ebrahimi, B. (2019). Enhanced inhibition of influenza virus infection by peptide-noble-metal nanoparticle conjugates. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY, 10, 1038-1047. doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.104

DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.10.104

And there are other data already achieved and drafted as a second paper (related to the mechanism of action of Flupep).

The paper title (An anti-‘flu peptide that interacts with sulfated glycosaminoglycans)

Please contact referees for verification.

Pathological study on Staphylococcus xylosus isolated from patients with urinary tract infections. ZKA Al-Ghrairy, MT Flaih, HJF Al-Mathkhury. Journal of Al-Nahrain University-Science 11 (2), 123-130, 2008

The antibacterial activity of Trigonella foenum-graceum extracts against bacteria that causes Otitis media in children. Zaid Khalaf Abdullah Department clinical laboratory science, College of Pharmacy, University of Al-Mustansiriya. AJPS, 2013, Vol. 13, No.2

Scientific lab Skills

Virus propagation, purification, titration, influenza virus plaque assay, TCID50 and replication assays.

A lot of In-vitro mammalian cellular assays include cell culture, sub culturing, splitting, cells counting, cells freezing and transfection.

Passivation and functionalisation of gold and silver nanoparticles

Purification of peptide-nanoparticles conjugate with different chromatography columns (G25, Phenyl Sepharose, HIC, DEAE, CM Sepharose, Nickel Sepharose and Heparin agarose.

UV-Vis spectroscopy, SDS-PAGE, agarose gel electrophoresis and Western blot

RT-PCR, qPCR

Viral RNA extraction and purification

Bacterial antibiotic sensitivity test.

Bacterial biochemical and morphological identification tests.

Different agars and broth medium preparation, culturing, and sub-culturing of bacteria

Molecular microbiology techniques such as QPCR, plasmid extraction, electro competence cells preparation and transformation, RNA, DNA, plasmid extraction and sequencing

PCR and gel agarose electrophoresis

Injection of mice.

Microtome and slide preparation for histopathological study

Elisa Assays

Referees upon request …

Contact this candidate