Competent Clinical Lab Scientist with 10+ years of experience and proven success in Clinical laboratory Diagnostics and Healthcare Quality Management. Expertise and specialization in Genomics, Molecular Diagnostics, Microbiology, Serology, Clinical Chemistry, Hematology, Blood Banking, Microbiology and Healthcare Quality. Notable participation in developing and validation of molecular testing for Novel pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2(COVID-19 virus), MERSCov-2, Filovirus (Ebola), Nipah virus, Zika virus and new strains of Influenza virus. Plays a key role in Development, Validation and testing of NGS-based Genomics assay such as WES, WGS, Targeted panel (e.g. Cancer panel Testing).
Hi, I’m
Chery Mae Salaya
San Francisco,CA
Summary
Overview
14
years of professional experience
6
Certification
Work History
Invitae Corporation
Clinical Laboratory Scientist PM Lead
03.2023 - Current
Job overview
- Performs specimen analysis in different sections of the laboratory (and verifies, records, and reports patient results in an accurate and efficient manner; serves as a technical expert in a specific area of expertise
- Develops and implements appropriate quality controls, documentation of workload, and calibration and maintenance of equipment
- Provides leadership, and acts as a guide for the team
- Receives assignments in the form of objectives and determines how to use resources to meet schedules and goals
- Focuses on issues of diverse scope where analysis of situation(s) or data requires evaluation to assist in decision making
- Develops and manages routine operational plans
- Works on issues requiring the analysis of data, relevant factors, and resolves problems
- Coordinate coverage for all assay during assigned shift, lead expectations of the team and drive a culture of accountability
- Communicate daily activities to ensure a seamless handoff between shifts
- Escalate equipment/instrumentation issues that impact TAT or quality, as well as proposing and implementing solutions to accommodate or mitigate issues that impact TAT
- Monitor team safety and ensure adherence to EH&S and regulatory requirements (i.e
- PPE)
- Responsible for identification and escalation of operational limiting incidents via change management, incident reporting or Jira tickets
- Participate in IQ/OQ/PQ for equipment/instrumentation
- Ensure laboratory is inspection/audit ready at all times
- Assist with CAPAs and RCAs to ensure comprehensive and complete action is taken to remediate
- Support and comply with the company’s Quality Management System policies and procedures
- Perform administrative duties; including, but not limited to, writing employee performance evaluations and reviewing standard operating procedures (SOPs), protocols, non-conformance reports, quality control (QC) forms, and equipment maintenance forms
- Coach and mentor CLSs and Laboratory Technicians by providing guidance, constructive feedback, and assisting with the development of the troubleshooting and judgment skills
- Lead by example to create an inclusive culture that values high engagement
- Conduct 1:1s for employee career development and coaching
- Uphold company mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork
- Ensure competencies are completed 100% on time, and assist with assessments as needed by the Training team.
Molecular Biology and Genomics Laboratory
Medical Laboratory Scientist and Quality Assurance Officer
03.2013 - 11.2022
Job overview
- Performs specimen analysis in different sections of the laboratory (and verifies, records, and reports patient results in an accurate and efficient manner; serves as a technical expert in a specific area of expertise
- Develops and implements appropriate quality controls, documentation of workload, and calibration and maintenance of equipment
- Prepares and maintains a manual of standard procedures; maintains QA and QC records for assigned lab section to comply with Local regulations; identifies training needs and conducts in-service training and education for staff
- Provides technical and scientific oversight of a laboratory specialty, including selection and updating of appropriate test procedures and methods, verification of test procedures performed, and establishment of the laboratory's test performance characteristics; resolves technical problems and ensures appropriate remedial actions are taken when necessary; represents the laboratory at departmental meetings when directed by the supervisor
- Successfully implemented Quality Management System as per ISO standards
- Efficiently monitored testing equipment regularly for calibration frequency and maintenance
- Performed a significant number of Audits which resulted in a lot of improvement in the Lab’s QMS
- Cases Handled: H1N1 Outbreak, Ebola Outbreak, Covid-19 Pandemic and others
- Next Generation Sequencing related research projects
- Modalities/Equipments/Techniques Used: Genomics and Molecular Biology, Nucleic Acid Extraction methods- Automated/ Manual, Equipment: QIAsymphony, Magnapure, Hamilton, Nextractor, Bioneer, PCR, RT-PCR, Real-time Platform, Equipment: Roche Light Cycler 2.0, Roche Light Cycler 480, Applied Biosystems (ABI 7500, ABI2720), NGS Equipment: MiSeq, NextSeq, Covaris, Agilent 4200 Tapestation, Qubit, Tapestation Screen Tape Assay, Clinical Chemistry, Hematology and Coagulation Section, Blood banking Section, Serology and Immunology Section, Microscopy, Microbiology and Parasitology Section.
TBW International Consultants
Quality Officer
12.2010 - 02.2013
Job overview
- Ensuring personal responsibilities are discharged strictly in accordance with the TBWIC Quality Management System and requirements of ISO/IEC17025:2005
- Monitor testing equipment regularly for calibration frequency, maintenance and withdrawal of such from service if found unfit for use
- Participate in the effective control of files and archiving
- Cases Handled: Equipment Management, Accreditation as per International Standards (ASTM, NIST, British Standard)
- Modalities/Equipments/Techniques Used: Q-pulse Quality Management System Software.
The Doctor’s Hospital
Medical Laboratory Scientist
04.2010 - 10.2010
Job overview
- Performs specimen analysis in different sections of the laboratory (and verifies, records, and reports patient results in an accurate and efficient manner; serves as a technical expert in a specific area of expertise
- Cases Handled: 2010 Dengue outbreak
- Modalities/Equipments/Techniques Used: Roche Diagnostics COBAS e600, Synchron EL-ISE ILYTE (Na, K, Cl) Analyzer, Beckman Coulter DXH 800 and DXH 900, Beckman Coulter HMX 750, CELL DYN AUTOANALYZER 3700, Thrombolyzer Compact X (TNC), OptiMal-IT Malaria test kit, Siemens Immulite-1000 Immunoassay, Abbot Axysym System, Automated analyzer or Machines used - URYXXON Relax Automated urine test, ARKRAY AUTION AE-4020, URISYS 1100 among others.
Education
National Programme on Technology Enhanced LearningCalifornia, USA
Diploma in Quality Management
01.2018
University Overview
University of San Agustin
Bachelor’s of Science in Medical Technology
01.2008
University Overview
Skills
NA Isolation and Purification NGS (Illumina platform) Hematology Techniques PCR, RT-PCR, Real-time PCR Immunichemistry Microbiology & Clin Microscopy Tumor Library Preparation Multi-color flow cytometry Blood Banking & Phlebotomy mtDNA & 16S Library Preparation Luminex, MSD, ELISA and ELISpot Clinical Chemistry FISH and Karyotyping Immunoblotting Cytology &Histopathology Cell Culture (Stem Cell) Antibody isolation and purification Quality Management (QA & QC)
Certification
- American Society of Clinical Pathology, International Medical Laboratory Scientist, 2200, 03/31/2024, 06/03/2012
- Dubai Health Authority, 77034326, 01/21/2022, 09/08/2021
- Professional Regulation Commission, 0053871, 04/25/2025, 01/22/2009
- Emirates International Accreditation Centre, Certified Internal Quality Auditor (ISO 15189)
- Emirates International Accreditation Centre, Certified Internal Quality Auditor (ISO 17025)
- Emirates International Accreditation Centre, Certified Internal Quality Auditor (ISO 17020)
- [Area of expertise] License - [Timeframe]
Contact Tel No
Contact Tel No
707 631 0005Trainings And Seminars Attended
Trainings And Seminars Attended
- MEDLAB Conference (Yearly)
- Arab Lab Conference (Yearly)
- PAN Arab Genetics Conference (once in 2 years)
Timeline
Clinical Laboratory Scientist PM Lead
Invitae Corporation
03.2023 - Current
Medical Laboratory Scientist and Quality Assurance Officer
Molecular Biology and Genomics Laboratory
03.2013 - 11.2022
Quality Officer
TBW International Consultants
12.2010 - 02.2013
Medical Laboratory Scientist
The Doctor’s Hospital
04.2010 - 10.2010
National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning
Diploma in Quality Management
University of San Agustin
Bachelor’s of Science in Medical Technology