As a Healthcare Scientist, Christopher has been working in healthcare laboratories for over a decade including NHS pathology, large CRO’s, and Start-up Biotech. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree with Honors in Bioscience from Anglia Ruskin University followed by a master’s degree in Cancer and Molecular and Cellular Biology from Queen Mary University of London.
His BSc project involved testing immunohistochemistry diluents from different manufactures and in-house produced for bacterial growth to determine suitable expiry after opening and the effects of continual use within a working lab. For his MSc project, he used overlap extension PCR cloning with bacterial protein expression and purification to produce and test novel proteins for interactions in lateral flow device signal amplification.
His career began at Addenbrookes Hospital in Gynae cytology working within the lab to process hundreds of samples per week from receipt in the lab through to Papanicolaou stained slides for screening under UKAS Clinical Pathology Accreditation (CPA). He then moved into the Histopathology department as they prepared to transition to the ISO 15189 standard working in all areas preparing samples, processing, embedding, sectioning, and staining. His time in the NHS concluded at Papworth Hospital working in the combined Histopathology, Immunohistochemistry, and Cytology Laboratories.
While working in the NHS Christopher was involved in brining in numerous new technology’s to the laboratories such as HPV screening, HER2 immunohistochemistry, and semi-automated slide preparation. This experience drove his choice to move to a large CRO to be part of developing and validating novel technology for use in healthcare. He worked as a Study Director conducting pre-clinical testing under GLP requirements, and was responsible Scientist on clinical studies under GCP. In this role he was able to gain expert knowledge of testing to meet the requirements for regulatory submission to various authorising bodies, such as FDA, EPA, MHRA. He was heavily involved in method development and validation, and had a keen interest in bringing innovative testing procedures to meet client needs. To name some of these; developing and validating in-house conjugation of proteins, introduction of vertical staining practices, introduction and validation of RNAscope, and development and validation of novel automated immunohistochemistry.
During the height of the pandemic, he worked for a small start-up developing lateral flow devices for Covid amongst other targets such as prostate specific antigen (PSA) and Mycoplasma. This work included a novel approach to signal amplification that could be used in immunohistochemistry, blotting techniques, lateral flow, or ELISA, and a technique allowing direct DNA testing on a lateral flow device.
Here at Test Labs, he acts as the Laboratory Team Leader overseeing the daily operation of Medical Device testing spanning from microbiology, chemistry and product testing.
He strives for excellence in both clinical evaluations and technical assessments, ensuring the team are aligned in their approach to achieve the highest quality and integrity for the work produced.