Lara Painter
London,UK
Summary
Highly organised and detail-oriented Laboratory Manager with over 9 years of progressive experience in laboratory operations, including high containment and cryostorage facilities. Proven expertise in regulatory compliance (HTA, IATA, COSHH), optimising research facilities, leading compliance programmes, and driving operational efficiencies that reduce costs and enhance safety. Skilled in team leadership, audit delivery and stakeholder collaboration within academic and clinical research environments.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Laboratory Manager
City St George’s University of London
05.2022 - 08.2025
- Led operational management of CL2 and CL3 facilities, cryostorage infrastructure, and communal research laboratories.
- Served as Person Designate under the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) licence, ensuring full compliance and supporting inspections and audits.
- Delivered infrastructure upgrade programme for liquid nitrogen facility, cutting operational costs by 20% while improving sample integrity and user safety.
- Developed post-service audit system, improving compliance and reducing maintenance incidents by 50%.
- Established centralised helpdesk platform for Lab Services, increasing resolution efficiency by 40% and achieving 4.9/5 user satisfaction.
- Oversaw dangerous goods shipping (IATA), including staff training and compliance oversight.
- Engaged in and implemented business continuity planning, health & safety programmes, and policy creation across research facilities.
- Managed and mentored a team of three technicians, promoting a culture of safety, efficiency, and professional growth.
Cryostorage Facility Manager
Queen Mary University of London
08.2019 - 05.2022
- Oversaw daily operations of the Charterhouse Square Cryostorage Facility, supporting tissue banks and clinical trial research projects.
- Maintained compliance with HTA, GCP, and institutional governance standards.
- Implemented and maintained LIMS to track samples and meet researcher service requests efficiently.
- Adapted and implemented new processes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring business continuity and regulatory compliance.
- Managed facility budgets, procurement, and cost-recovery processes.
- Supervised technicians, conducted quality audits, and coordinated emergency call-outs to protect sample integrity.
- Collaborated with the wider laboratory management team to ensure operational continuity across research facilities.
Tissue Bank Pathology Technician
Barts Cancer Institute
03.2016 - 08.2019
- Processed, stored, and distributed human tissue samples for research under HTA licence compliance.
- Conducted molecular biology techniques, including nucleic acid extractions.
- Maintained LIMS and ensured accurate documentation under HTA, GDPR and institutional protocols.
- Supported audits, equipment maintenance, and sample issue resolution.
- Assisted in HTA inspections and contributed to continuous improvement of laboratory processes.
Education
BSc (Hons) - Zoology
University of Nottingham
/2011 - /2014
Skills
- Containment Level 2 & 3 Laboratory Management
- HTA Compliance & Person Designate Duties
- Cryostorage Facility Operations & Governance
- Dangerous Goods Shipping (IATA/ADR)
- SOP & Policy Development
- Staff Leadership & Training
- Risk Management & Audit Programmes
- LIMS Implementation & Data Governance
- Sustainability & Cost-Reduction Initiatives
Certification
- NEBOSH General Certificate
- PRINCE2 Foundation (Project Management)
- Biosafety: Working Safely at Containment Level 3 (HSE UK)
- Leadership & Management Certificate L3 (ILM)
- IATA/ADR: Carriage of Infectious & Biological Substances by Air, Road & Sea
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Laboratory Manager
City St George’s University of London
05.2022 - 08.2025
Cryostorage Facility Manager
Queen Mary University of London
08.2019 - 05.2022
Tissue Bank Pathology Technician
Barts Cancer Institute
03.2016 - 08.2019
BSc (Hons) - Zoology
University of Nottingham
/2011 - /2014
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