Harrison Mburu
Research Assistant
Limuru,Kiambu
Summary
Detail-oriented Research Assistant with hands-on experience performing clerical and laboratory work to advance research goals. Highly proficient in conducting comprehensive literature reviews, providing computational research support and preparing samples and specimens for testing. Highly motivated, able to work under pressure with minimum supervision and able to complete diverse range of support tasks under strict schedules. Skilled in working within collaborative environments and teams in a multi-cultural setting.
Overview
6
6
Certifications
13
13
years of post-secondary education
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Assistant - Soil Health
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
Nairobi, Nairobi
02.2016 - 03.2021
- Involved in designing and setting up field experiments, follow-up and execution
- Supported process of sample collection, processing and analysis
- Supported design and implementation of survey instruments used to obtain study information
- DNA/RNA extraction, primer design, amplification and sequence processing
- Offered backstopping expertise on training in basic molecular techniques for student interns, visiting scientists and graduate scholars - UGhent exchange program (Tropical Nematology)
- Prepared materials for reports, presentations and submission to project donors
- Gathered, arranged and corrected research data to create representative graphs and charts highlighting results and presentations (PowerPoint for local and international meetings)
- Performed statistical, qualitative and quantitative analysis using Excel, R-Statistic and JMP software packages
- Supported research and development efforts to design SOPs used in the unit
- Helped team meet regulatory requirements by coordinating documentation and fillings
- Coordinated the procurement team and laboratory team by providing correct specifications of consumables, reagents and chemicals required in a timely manner
Research Technician - Molecular Biology & Microbio
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
Nairobi
02.2014 - 02.2016
- Support scientist in-charge with creation and enhancement of continuous improvement of research procedures and protocols
- Handled maintenance and all troubleshooting tasks on malfunctioning lab equipments working with suppliers/manufactures to resolve problems
- Assisted with training junior team members, students in laboratory techniques and operation of equipments
- Involved in sample cataloging and verification, processing and analysis
- Performed molecular techniques including DNA extraction, sequence analysis and phylogeny using Bioedit, MEGA and NCBI platforms
- Inputted and edited computer entries from generated research data using excel and Totalab Software
- Performed soil microbial diversity studies under varied soil amendment regimes using DGGE and RFLP techniques
Research Technician - Consultant
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
Nairobi
09.2012 - 10.2013
- Supported establishment of national research lab for Aflatoxin analysis in KALRO-Katumani
- Involved in field identification, administration of Aflasafe product in the field and subsequent follow-up and monitoring of the fields
- Gathering and inputted of field data, editing and presentation of research data
- Coordinated collaborating research partners to ensure project goals are achieves and bottlenecks addressed in timely manner
- Provided detailed reports to the project investigator (PI) and financial reports to the project accountant
Laboratory Technologist - PHPT
University of Nairobi
Nairobi
01.2011 - 09.2012
- Prepared and validated buffers and in-house reagents, calibrators and controls in advance of laboratory testing and analysis orders.
- Analyzed field samples on GC,LC/MS-MS, resolving unusual data trends and handling chromatography and instrument as appropriate.
- Conducted and reported on microbiological, serological and chemical analysis on environmental samples.
- Recorded and interpreted laboratory results to present to senior colleagues.
- Kept laboratory in compliance with all applicable guidelines and laws.
- Set and oversaw quality assurance guidelines for laboratory work.
- Set and oversaw student training experiments as per guidlines provided
Laboratory Technician
Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute
Nairobi
09.2007 - 12.2010
- Carrying out molecular fingerprinting Techniques such as Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCR), Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLP), Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (T-RFLP), Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE)
- Statistical data analysis using software such as Total Lab, Genstat, and Quantity one and interpretation.
- Involved in report writing and offering technical support to graduate students
- Maintained consumables and glassware inventory by receiving and inventorying incoming orders.
- Kept laboratory supplies prepared by inventorying stock, placing orders and verifying receipt.
- Supported laboratory staff with advanced troubleshooting, resolving complex problems and helping with special projects.
- Registered and prepared samples for general analytical testing through data entry, weighing and physical homogenization.
- Documented information by maintaining daily logs and equipment record books.
- Trained new interns in laboratory procedures and standards.
- Operated basic laboratory equipment such as balances, pH meter, and autoclave.
Education
Master of Science - Molecular Biology And Bioinformatics
Jomokenyatta University of Agriculture And Technol
Juja 03.2017 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Biotechnology
Technical University of Kenya
Nairobi 01.2014 - 12.2016
Higher National Diploma - Biotechnology
The Kenya Polytechnic
Nairobi 01.2005 - 12.2007
Diploma - Applied Biology
Nairobi Technical Training Institute
Nairobi 01.2002 - 12.2004
Skills
Molecualr Biology
Accomplishments
- Awarded the Best presentation at the Annual Horticultural Association of Kenya Conference (HAK) - 2018
- Awarded research exchange program grant through The James Hutton institute (JHI-UK) - 2019
- Awarded research grant - Global Burden of Crop Loss Initiative through Cabi - 2020
- Collaborated with investigators at The James Hutton Institute (JHI-UK) and IITA scientists in evaluation of new potato cultivars containing resistance genes against potato cyst nematodes in Kenyan conditions. 2020 - 2021
Certification
Diploma in Project Management
Timeline
Grant Proposal writing workshop
12-2018
Scientific writing and publishing workshop
09-2018
Statistical Methods and Data Analysis with R Training
02-2018
Master of Science - Molecular Biology And Bioinformatics
Jomokenyatta University of Agriculture And Technol
03.2017 - Current
Research Assistant - Soil Health
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
02.2016 - 03.2021
Research Technician - Molecular Biology & Microbio
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
02.2014 - 02.2016
Bachelor of Science - Biotechnology
Technical University of Kenya
01.2014 - 12.2016
Research Technician - Consultant
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
09.2012 - 10.2013
Laboratory Technologist - PHPT
University of Nairobi
01.2011 - 09.2012
Diploma in Project Management
12-2008
Essential of epidemiological data analysis
08-2008
Introduction to Bioinformatics
05-2008
Laboratory Technician
Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute
09.2007 - 12.2010
Higher National Diploma - Biotechnology
The Kenya Polytechnic
01.2005 - 12.2007
Diploma - Applied Biology
Nairobi Technical Training Institute
01.2002 - 12.2004
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