Natalie Allen

Since becoming parents we decided it was of great importance and need for me to become a stay at home parent to allow my husband to flourish on his professional pathway.

Now that my daughter is a teenager and becoming increasingly independent I crave returning to the workforce and returning to what makes me, me!

• Performed full scope of laboratory analysis pertaining to a winery setting during harvest and non-harvest periods;
• Day to day maintenance and troubleshooting of laboratory equipment;
• Ensuring laboratory was fully stocked with consumables to ensure smooth and timely operations;
• Liaising with winemakers to ensure all necessary analysis and special projects were successfully executed;
• Implementing changes in procedures and operations to encourage a safer work environment;
• Overseeing harvest laboratory interns and their day to day duties;
• Direct and hands on involvement in tannin and anthocyanin analysis during harvest (a new concept at the time);
• Researching, purchasing and implementing new laboratory equipment to modernize and improve previously existing methods;
• Quality Control of all on-site bottling, including post bottling microbial analysis;
• Updating MSDS folders for the entire production department;
• Updating records of Standard Operating Procedures for the laboratory;
• Immaculate analytical record keeping, including an updated approach to filling of permanent records.

• Gathering and documenting daily brix and temperature data on tanks and barrels;
• Basic analysis including: SO2, pH, TA, alcohol and CO2;
• Enzymatic analysis via discrete analyzer and spectrophotometer;
• Residual Sugar, Malic Acid and Ammonium analysis
• Volatile Acidity analysis via SKALAR;
• Cork trials;
• Wine stability trials;
• Bottling Quality Control
• Preparation of laboratory solutions;
• Maintaining a neat, organized and safe laboratory environment.

In this unique position I within the Department of Physiology as an Educational Assistant to the teaching staff (Lecturers and Professors). Duties included:

• Preparing the Physiology Teaching Laboratories for use during student practical classes (preparing solutions, preparing fresh animal tissue samples, setting up and trouble shooting multiple equipment stations, being present during practical classes to assist staff and students, clean up and reset);
• Updating existing protocols and generating new protocols when necessary;
• Routing cleaning and maintenance of equipment and laboratory;
• Editing of student workbook manuals for publication;
• Student administration duties including documentation of student results;
• Liaising with lecturers, course convenors and other technical staff to achieve desired outcomes within short timeframes (e.g. class scheduling and timetable development;
• Exploring and implementing new advances in equipment for research and teaching purposes;
• First Aid co-ordinator for the entire Physiology Department including: keeping staff up to date on their qualifications, scheduling training sessions, processing incident report forms, troubleshooting injuries or near misses, inducting new staff and post graduate students on first aid and safety protocols via presentations, keeping first aid kits fully stocked, keeping first aid related materials current (CPR posters, first aider contact lists) and performing routine checks on Defibrillators and oxygen machines.

• My full time teaching role consisted of teaching: Science, Biology, Physical Education, Outdoor Education and Health and Human Development;
• I taught class sizes of approximately 25 girls;
• Overall students numbers of approximately 150 girls in a school year;
• Coaching of multiple sports teams both before and after school;
• Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards;
• Fostered a positive classroom environment encouraging student participation and collaboration;
• Assessed student progress through various evaluation methods, providing constructive feedback;
• Collaborated with faculty to enhance educational programs and address student needs;
• Integrated technology into lessons to enhance learning experiences and engagement;
• Maintained open communication with parents regarding student performance (report writing and parent-teacher conferences);
• Implemented differentiated instruction strategies to cater for different learner types and various student accomodations;
• Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities, staying current on best practices in education and refining instructional techniques accordingly.
• Established clear expectations for behavior and classroom management, creating a respectful and productive learning atmosphere.
• Boosted student confidence through consistent encouragement and positive reinforcement, fostering a supportive learning environment.
• Planned lessons, activities and trips to cover all required course material.