Muhammad Rufai Garba
Plymouth
Summary
Biomedical Scientist with postgraduate degrees in Biotechnology and Public Health, bringing extensive practical experience in molecular biology, high-throughput microbiology, and clinical chemistry. Adept at sample logistics, cryogenic storage management, and laboratory coordination within regulated environments. Possesses hands-on expertise in tissue culture, Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), and managing procurement processes. Committed to precision oncology research support, ensuring accuracy, full sample traceability, and high standards of laboratory infrastructure maintenance.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Learning Support Assistant
St Boniface’s Catholic College
Plymouth
2025.12 - 2026.05
- Support pupils with additional learning needs in classroom settings, collaborating with teaching and pastoral staff to promote inclusion.
Supply Teaching Assistant
The Supply Register
Plymouth
2025.04 - 2025.12
- Provided classroom support across primary and secondary schools, swiftly adapting to diverse school environments and safeguarding procedures.
Medical Laboratory Scientist
Federal Teaching Hospital
Katsina
2023.08 - 2024.01
- Performed routine histopathology procedures including tissue processing, embedding, microtomy, and H&E staining.
- Operated and maintained histopathology equipment, including the Leica TP1020 tissue processor, Leica microtomes, and Leica EG1160 embedding centre.
- Routinely operated the VITEK 2 automated system for organism identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), efficiently processing and loading 50–75 samples daily.
- Managed automated blood culture systems using BactAlert, taking responsibility for receiving, logging, incubating, and continuously monitoring the system for positive alerts.
- Performed Gram staining, subcultured onto appropriate media, and rapidly issued preliminary findings for positive blood cultures, escalating urgent results to support critical patient care.
- Maintained strict COSHH compliance, standard operating procedure (SOP) adherence, and full sample traceability using LIMS.
Medical Laboratory Scientist
Hospital Services Management Board
Katsina
2020.09 - 2023.08
- Processed 80–120 clinical specimens daily (including urine, stool, wound swabs, sputum, and blood cultures), maintaining high accuracy in a fast-paced, high-throughput diagnostic environment.
- Executed the culture and isolation of microorganisms using Blood, MacConkey, Chocolate, and XLD agars, evaluating colony morphology, haemolysis patterns, and key preliminary features.
- Performed microscopy, wet preparations, and AST using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method to support preliminary identification and antimicrobial prescribing.
- Managed critical laboratory infrastructure, taking direct responsibility for maintaining -80C and -20C freezers to ensure biological sample integrity.
- Coordinated sample logistics, successfully organising and tracking the shipment of biological samples to external collaborative laboratories.
- Managed the laboratory store, diligently monitoring consumables and preparing procurement requests to maintain consistent reagent inventory.
- Participated in internal and external quality assurance aligned with ISO 15189 standards.
Medical Laboratory Scientist (National Youth Service Corps)
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University
Katsina
2019.06 - 2020.06
- Supported cellular pathology laboratory activities and assisted with routine laboratory procedures.
- Assisted with student training within the laboratory environment.
Intern Medical Laboratory Scientist
Federal Medical Centre
Katsina
2018.04 - 2019.03
- Completed comprehensive rotations across haematology, microbiology, chemical pathology, blood bank, and histopathology departments.
Education
Master of Science (MSc) - Biotechnology
University of Greenwich
United Kingdom 2024.01 - 2025.02
Master of Public Health (MPH) - Epidemiology
Ahmadu Bello University
Zaria, Nigeria 2022.01 - 2024.08
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS) -
Usmanu Danfodiyo University
Sokoto, Nigeria 2012.02 - 2017.10
Skills
- Sample Logistics & Management: Highly experienced in receiving, registering, and storing biological samples Proven ability to coordinate sample shipments to external laboratories and collaborators
- Inventory & Procurement: Managed laboratory stores, actively monitored consumable levels, and generated institutional procurement requests to maintain stock workflows
- Cryogenic & Equipment: Directly managed -80C and -20C freezer units Competent in routine equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and ensuring optimal storage conditions for samples and reagents
- Cell Culture & Molecular Biology: Trained in routine cell culture tasks (preparation, passaging, maintenance, collagen-coated vessels) alongside molecular cloning and CRISPR transfection techniques
- Diagnostic Microbiology: Handled 80–120 diverse samples daily Highly proficient with manual isolation and automated platforms including the VITEK 2 system and BactAlert, supporting fast turnaround times and accurate AST
- Quality Assurance: Practical experience drafting/updating SOPs and participating in ISO 15189 standard audits
- LIMS: Proficient in Laboratory Information Management Systems for detailed data entry and sample tracking
- Office Suite: Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and data management software
- Procurement Tools: Competent in utilising digital inventory and procurement processing tools
Websites
Certification
- Certification in Editing and Proofreading — Virtued Academy International (2025)
- Professional Diploma in Education — Ahmadu Bello University (2021)
- Project Management in Global Health — University of Washington (2020)
- Professional Certificate in Public Health Microbiology — Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University (2019)
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Mother tongue: Hausa
Native
English
Proficient (C2)
German
Elementary (A2)
Affiliations
- Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), Biomedical Scientist — BS088320
- Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) — RA (MLS) 27819
- Royal Society of Biology (Associate) — P0156736
Publications
- Ahmad MA, et al., Garba MR (2023). Distribution and antibiogram of bacteria associated with vaginal discharge. Bayero Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 14(1), 7–14.
- Hamid KM, et al., Garba MR (2018). AH50 complement activity among children with infections. World Journal of Biomedical Science, 5(2), 34–39.
- Kalgo MU, et al., Garba MR (2018). CH50 complement activity in paediatric infections. Sokoto Journal of Medical Laboratory Science, 3(4), 58–63.
Disclaimer
I hereby declare that the information provided in this CV is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Accomplishments
Recipient of Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Nigeria OSS Scholarship
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Learning Support Assistant
St Boniface’s Catholic College
2025.12 - 2026.05
Supply Teaching Assistant
The Supply Register
2025.04 - 2025.12
Master of Science (MSc) - Biotechnology
University of Greenwich
2024.01 - 2025.02
Medical Laboratory Scientist
Federal Teaching Hospital
2023.08 - 2024.01
Master of Public Health (MPH) - Epidemiology
Ahmadu Bello University
2022.01 - 2024.08
Medical Laboratory Scientist
Hospital Services Management Board
2020.09 - 2023.08
Medical Laboratory Scientist (National Youth Service Corps)
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University
2019.06 - 2020.06
Intern Medical Laboratory Scientist
Federal Medical Centre
2018.04 - 2019.03
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS) -
Usmanu Danfodiyo University
2012.02 - 2017.10