Alexander Emami

General Supervisor (11/2023 - Current)

• Maintained laboratory compliance with COLA and CLIA standards, passing COLA and CLIA inspections deficiency-free. Received COLA Laboratory Excellence Award.
• Provided technical and procedural oversight to ensure SOP adherence and mitigate analytical errors affecting result accuracy.
• Oversaw and performed maintenance, calibrations, and QC testing on Access 2 IA system, DXH 560 Hematology, and AU480 Chemistry analyzers.
• Supervised day-to-day operations for high complexity RT-qPCR testing, optimizing workflow and improving turnaround times by 30%

Lead Molecular Technologist (12/2021 - 11/2023)

• Evaluated and processed biological specimens to support accurate and appropriate testing procedures.
• Participated in validating laboratory developed RT-PCR tests/assays for SARS-CoV-2, RPP, UTI/STI, Gastrointestinal Infection, and Dermatophyte/Fungal infections in accordance to FDA, CLIA, and COLA compliance standards.
• Participated in lab-to-lab research projects with private diagnostic facilities.
• Assisted in training new hires and evaluated their performances.
• Assisted in the implementation and enforcement of QC standards for daily clinical operations.

• Performed validation studies for Respiratory and Urinary RT-qPCR molecular assays.
• Installed semi-automated liquid handling and extraction systems, trained new hires on safety and operation of installed equipment.
• Performed patient diagnostic testing within the lab.
• Drafted SOPs and advised on material needs for the lab.
• Drafted and summarized validation reports for lab director approval and clinical production.

• Validated and summarized reports for high-complexity testing protocols.
• Trained new staff on liquid handling, novel extraction systems, and PCR assay set-up.
• Created SOPs for compliance and daily operational roles within the lab.

• Performed preliminary physical tests to accurately record results in patient history summary.
• Scheduled appointments for patients via phone and in person.
• Organized charts, documents and supplies to maintain team productivity.
• Assessed, documented and monitored vital signs for patients within outpatient setting.
• Prepared treatment rooms for patients by cleaning surfaces and restocking supplies.

• Experimented and evaluated protein-protein interactions between viral anti-apoptotic proteins and natural host cell pro-apoptotic proteins using bimolecular fluorescence complementation.
• Applied bacterial plasmid cloning techniques to design and express BiFC-capable protein structures to assess interaction and perform subcellular localization studies.
• Handled, transfected, and subcultured H1299 cancer cell-line for use of BiFC to visualize protein interactions.
• Performed Western Blot technique to establish preliminary protein interactions for further study.
• Analyzed protein structure, domains, and binding behavior using molecular visualization software (PyMOL).
• Drafted, summarized, and presented findings to department faculty.