Open To Work
BOLARINDE JOSEPH LAWAL, PhD (candidate), MHM PRINCE2 FRSPH
Katy,TX
Summary
A hands-on laboratory operations executive, certified Project Manager with over 10 years of experience directing high complexity diagnostic and research laboratories and multi-site laboratory systems across Africa and Global Research Networks. Proven track record of build/validate laboratories, laboratory workflow and infrastructural designs compliant with EHS policies, CLSI-aligned analytical validation and, developing LIMS systems. Expertise in aligning laboratory processes to regulatory requirements and GCLP/ISO15189/CAP/CLIA standards, cultivating inspection-ready laboratory systems supporting vaccine trials, infectious disease diagnostics, and emerging oncology applications. Recognized for building laboratory platforms from scratch, effective vendor management, reducing operational risk, managing pre-analytical rigors, and establishing scalable high-throughput automation, while sustaining impressive turnaround time (TAT), and cost on goods sold.
Dynamic Director oversees every facet of production with strong project management and decision-making skills. Brings comprehensive knowledge of [Type] production writing, planning, and technical operations. Skilled at coordinating production plans and personnel resources to complete work under tight deadlines.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
DIRECTOR, LABORATORY
Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
Lusaka, Zambia
08.2025 - Current
- Provide strategic direction for the central laboratory and satellite laboratories, establish new analytical methods, ensure accuracy and reliability of test results, and deliver within acceptable TAT.
- Technical and quality management system oversights for the central laboratories and branches, and all areas of specialty – hematology, biochemistry, microbiology, molecular/genomics, serology, and immunology, while ensuring health and safety and regulatory and quality standards compliance.
- Created the analytical validation plans (Precision, Reproducibility, Method Comparison, Stability) to validate new testing methods.
- Spearheaded the CLSI-aligned analytical and clinical validation of 5 new hematology and immunochemistry assays and 2 molecular testing platforms.
- Directed the implementation of Immunohistochemistry and an 188-gene NGS cancer panel to expand oncology diagnostics capabilities in Zambia.
- Developed user requirement documents and managed the redesign of the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
- Restructured laboratory operations to decrease projected monthly operational costs by 20%.
- Implemented equipment (manual and high-throughput automation) preventive maintenance and calibration program.
- Reviewed laboratory test prices, applying the full economic costs to ensure a lower cost of goods sold (COGS.
INTERIM LABORATORY DIRECTOR – AFRICA
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Kambia, Sierra Leone
04.2023 - 08.2025
- Provided regional leadership for multi-country laboratory operations supporting diagnostics, surveillance, and clinical trials.
- Managed annual budgets and capital procurements, acted as senior operational authority for laboratory expansion, compliance, and cross-border coordination.
- Directed laboratory operations across Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Ghana, and Zambia in support of a Gates Foundation-funded Human Papillomavirus (HPV) research.
- Collaborated with the US CDC to optimize a qPCR multiplex HPV genotyping.
- Trained 60+ laboratory staff on the HPV genotyping protocol and certified their competencies.
- Delivered end-to-end laboratory start-up for new programs, including equipment procurement, qualification, validation, and staff onboarding.
- Achieved GCLP accreditation, strengthened operational credibility and readiness for regulated clinical activities.
- Partnered with cross-functional teams to support study execution of the WHO-sponsored COVID-19 multi-site clinical trials.
- Coordinate audits, compliance reviews, and regulatory submissions in accordance with international standards.
- Served as the laboratory’s subject matter expert and focal contact for external stakeholders, including regulators, vendors, researchers, and the Ministry of Health.
LABORATORY OPERATIONS MANAGER
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Kambia, Sierra Leone
09.2019 - 08.2025
- Managed the daily operations of clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, and molecular laboratories to provide GLP/GCLP-compliant and high-quality analytical results for clinical trials.
- Implemented quality management system and aligned processes with GCLP and ISO15189 standards.
- Reduced pre-analytical errors by 20% and improved turnaround time compliance by 15%.
- Led bioanalytical validation and rollout of 7 new analyzers/assays, accelerating diagnostic capacity.
- Increased productivity while cutting utility consumption by 50% through facility optimization.
- Conceptualized and delivered new laboratory facilities, established and validated immunology and molecular analytical procedures, expanding service capability.
- Established multiplex serology platforms, including Luminex MAGPIX and Elitek ELISA systems, and immunological procedures (PBMC isolation and cryopreservation, EliSpot), to support vaccine and infectious disease trials.
- Designed and implemented a business continuity plan, ensuring uninterrupted operations during COVID-19.
- Coordinated and hosted a U.S. FDA regulatory inspection of the laboratory as part of the licensure application for Merck’s Ebola virus vaccine, ensuring full compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
- Utilized QC rules to detect errors, External Quality Assurance data for process improvement, and provided implementable corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
- Developed and implemented health and safety policies and procedures for laboratory safety, risk assessments, waste management, and so on.
CLINICAL LABORATORIES MANAGER/HEAD, LABORATORY OPERATIONS
MRC Unit – The Gambia (LSHTM)
The Gambia
10.2014 - 08.2019
- Led laboratory operations supporting diagnostics, clinical trials, and research development, while managing budgets, personnel, and regulatory inspections, and ensuring patient satisfaction.
- Led laboratory’s support for 20+ clinical and scientific studies, including a Phase II trial, eg, Pyronaridine-Artesunate Pyramax clinical trial and PK study.
- Set up a satellite laboratory for Phase II clinical trial PK/PD sample collection and processing, and safety assessment.
- Managed GBP90,000 annual operating budget with full cost control and elimination of waste.
- Negotiated vendor agreements and inventory systems, reducing costs by 20% and recovering 100% of project expenditures.
- Led teams processing 40,000+ samples annually across 20+ studies and trials.
- Achieved ISO 15189 accreditation within the first year of leadership.
Education
PhD - Laboratory Medicine
University of Sierra Leone
01-2026
Master of Health Management (MHM) -
Benue State University
Makurdi, Nigeria01-2015
BMLS - Clinical Chemistry
Federal School of Medical Laboratory Sciences
Jos, Nigeria01-2000
Diploma - Accounting & Auditing
Plateau School of Accountancy
01-1995
Skills
- High Complexity Laboratory Operations
- Quality Environment Creation/Improvement
- Assay Development & Technology Transfer
- Analytical Validations
- Molecular Diagnostic Testing
- Nanoscale Genomic Cancer Panel Implementation
- Pre-Analytical Controls/Failure Mode Management
- Quality Control Rules/Runs/Acceptance criteria Definition
- LIMS/LIS Architecture/Optimization
- Capacity Planning/Cost Per Test Modeling
- Change Control/CAPA/Deviation Management
- Tech Transfer/Multi-Site Operational Expansion
- Clinical Trial Laboratory Integration
- Budget and financial management
Timeline
DIRECTOR, LABORATORY
Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)
08.2025 - Current
INTERIM LABORATORY DIRECTOR – AFRICA
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
04.2023 - 08.2025
LABORATORY OPERATIONS MANAGER
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
09.2019 - 08.2025
CLINICAL LABORATORIES MANAGER/HEAD, LABORATORY OPERATIONS
MRC Unit – The Gambia (LSHTM)
10.2014 - 08.2019
Diploma - Accounting & Auditing
Plateau School of Accountancy
PhD - Laboratory Medicine
University of Sierra Leone
Master of Health Management (MHM) -
Benue State University
BMLS - Clinical Chemistry
Federal School of Medical Laboratory Sciences
Publications
The list of published works is contained in Google Scholar and can be accessed [here](https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tkIDoN4AAAAJ&hl=en).
Certifications Affiliations
- PRINCE2 Project Management Certification (Foundation), 2022
- Fellow, West African Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Science, 2025
- Ambassador, European Society for Cancer Research
- American Association for Clinical Chemistry
- African Society for Laboratory Medicine
- Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, 2001