Kerry Macshannon-Hirst
Broxburn
Summary
I am an experienced Quality Control Analyst for the Microbiology team at a vaccine manufacturing company, Valneva, working for 5 years in the industry. I demonstrate exceptional organisational and time management skills, thriving in team environments and cross-departmental collaborations, and find it easy to work with my colleagues and create good working relationships. I perform testing on in-process samples and raw material products to ensure product safety and integrity by meticulously following SOPs ensuring compliance with industry standards at all times.
Furthermore, I excel at identifying and resolving GMP issues through appropriate QMS systems, and am experienced in writing reports to address such issues.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Quality Control Microbiology Analyst
Valneva
09.2020 - 07.2025
- Company Overview: a vaccine manufacturing company producing vaccines for diseases such a Japanese encephalitis.
- I am currently a microbiology analyst in the quality control department for Valneva, a vaccine manufacturing company producing vaccines for diseases such a Japanese encephalitis.
- I have a sound understanding of the workings of a GMP laboratory and my role includes but is not limited to environmental monitoring of the cleanrooms (including Compressed Gas testing), execution of Endotoxin testing via Kinetic Chromogenic Method, Total Viable Count Testing, Growth Promotion testing, Microbial Growth Check by Incubation, and Identification of Microbial Isolates recovered from the cleanroom facilities.
- In addition to performing these tasks to a high standard, I am a train other members of staff in the following: Environmental Monitoring (in both execution and recording of results), Total Viable Count testing, Growth promotion testing, sample receipt of in-process samples submitted by manufacturing, and Identification of Microbial Isolates, all of which are essential for the QC Microbiology department and the wider QC group.
- Furthermore, I work well within the QC Micro team to ensure the QC labs and equipment are clean, tidy, and maintained to a high standard to ensure they are in a continuous state of inspection readiness.
- I also ensure Environmental Monitoring data is entered into the database in a timely manner to allow generation of key reports required for batch release and regulatory inspections.
- As well as performing QC Microbiology assays to a high standard following GMP Standard Operating Procedures, I am confident in writing CAPAs, deviations, SOPs, and Environmental Excursion investigations, to ensure compliance is always at the forefront of working in a GMP laboratory.
- I also strive to find process improvements in QC micro assays to help reduce the workload for the team and make assays more robust.
Customer Service Assistant
ScotMid Cooperative
01.2015 - 01.2020
- Maintaining a part-time job throughout the duration of my studies allowed to me to manage my time efficiently to meet deadlines whilst working, highlighting my strong time management skills.
- Additionally, it enhanced my teamworking skills as often my colleagues and myself would have to work together to ensure customer satisfaction and the smooth running of the shop.
- Furthermore, working during the COVID-19 pandemic provided some of the most challenging times for my colleagues and I as we were working in conditions we have never experienced before, highlighting how I am a hard-working individual who is always willing to rise to a challenge during the most difficult circumstances.
- Working in a shop has enhanced my teamworking skills as the job involved working closely with my colleagues to ensure tasks were completed to the best standards and there was an equal distribution of the workload.
Education
BSc (Hons) - Biomedical Science
Edinburgh Napier University
09.2016 - 07.2020
High School - English, Maths, Geography, Chemistry, Biology, Advanced Higher Biology, Advanced Higher Chemistry, Advanced Higher Maths, Higher Physics
West Calder High School
08.2009 - 05.2015
Skills
- Data analysis and interpretation of results
- Bacterial culturing proficiency
- Regulatory compliance understanding
- Time-Management to prioritise tasks
- Microbial identification
- Endotoxin testing
- Total Viable Count testing
- Executing Environmental Monitoring in Cleanrooms
- Following SOPs meticulously
- Writing appropriate QMS to address any compliance issues
- Continuous improvement mindset
- Flexibility to ensure tasks are complete
- Positive mind-set
- Eager to learn new skills
Timeline
Quality Control Microbiology Analyst
Valneva
09.2020 - 07.2025
BSc (Hons) - Biomedical Science
Edinburgh Napier University
09.2016 - 07.2020
Customer Service Assistant
ScotMid Cooperative
01.2015 - 01.2020
High School - English, Maths, Geography, Chemistry, Biology, Advanced Higher Biology, Advanced Higher Chemistry, Advanced Higher Maths, Higher Physics
West Calder High School
08.2009 - 05.2015
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