Andzhela Abu Rashed

Projects Delivery Coordinator with 9 years of experience in clinical cancer genomics, molecular pathology and translational research projects within oncology and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) laboratory environments. Strong background in coordinating NGS service workflows, biospecimen management, LIMS activities and sample quality control across multidisciplinary research programmes. Experienced in supporting GLP/GCP compliance documentation, SOP governance, protocol review, data integrity and eQMS processes, including deviations and CAPA activities.

Worked closely with laboratory scientists, researchers and technical teams to support delivery of biomarker discovery, molecular profiling and data-driven research initiatives.

Project Delivery Coordinator - Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre - Manchester, United Kingdom

(2024-11)

• Oversee governance meetings (Scientific and Steering Board Meetings), audits, and compliance reviews to maintain accreditation and laboratory quality standards (i.e., quality management systems / QMS)
• Submit quarterly project updates to government bodies, such as the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), which include stakeholders' updates, providing updates on project deliverables and securing project funding / funding assurance
• Identify risks, manage mitigation plans and report progress to senior leadership
• Collaborate with software developers & computational biologists to optimise and validate digital platforms, genetic data integrations and scalable workflows
• Support the implementation of AI-driven methodologies for biomarker discovery and clinical data analysis
• Led the delivery of a centre-wide LIMS upgrade, improving data integrity and reducing manual processing, enabling more efficient study tracking and operational scalability
• Ensure laboratory processes and facilities & equipment comply with regulatory and quality guidelines (GLP/GCP) to maintain audit readiness
• Deliver training material for new starters for using LIMS, Q Pulse (CAPA, non-conformances, deviations, audit findings & quality investigations), health & safety induction for new starters
• Develop SOPs and ensure compliance with data governance, QA and GLP/GCP regulatory standards
• Oversee sample management and biobanking, including sample reconciliation and return to sponsors at project close-out

Research Project Manager - Cancer Research UK - Manchester, United Kingdom

(2024-03 - 2024-11)

• Collaborated with data scientists and engineers on AI-enabled platforms for clinical research workflows
• Represented CRUK and led the monthly joined meetings with Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori and Instituto de investigación Oncologica de Vall d'Hebron, the equivalents of CRUK in Italy and Spain respectively, taking MoMs and actions, in addition to distributing the MoMs to all stakeholders
• Delivered the inaugural UpSMART Conference, overseeing and securing 2 sponsorships, budgeting and supporting international partner engagement
• Participated in App development to 'digitalise up' experimental cancer medicine centers across the UK & Europe, providing clinical teams with digital tools for real-time data capturing and access to a wealth of patient data, allowing faster decision making
• Prepared meetings agendas to follow up on the actions required from previous meetings (e.g., prerequisites to open a new patient recruitment sites)
• Participated in coordination meetings with software engineers and clinicians to develop tools to extract data from patients' records, enabling the creation of anonymous data dashboards for data protection, facilitating the implementation of AI in the NHS
• Participated in site initiation visits (SIVs) phase (1) which included documentation review, logistics confirmation, and reviewing of patient data management and safety reporting
• Contributed to Phase (2) of (SIVs) including the issuance of activation notices and coordination of trial registrations
• Ensured regulatory compliance with GCP and UK standards through accurate safety reporting, data entry, and CRF validation
• Supported business engagement by liaising with external partners and funding bodies, promoting research collaboration and ensuring alignment with the overall project strategy and its strategic goals

Scientific Officer 2 - Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute - Manchester, United Kingdom

(2017-01 - 2024-03)

Molecular Biology Core

• Supported pre-clinical and translational studies with advanced molecular workflows and method validation
• Delivered a broad portfolio of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) services, including short- and long-read sequencing (Oxford Nanopore, Illumina), supporting whole genome, RNA-Seq, methylation and metagenomics applications
• Led implementation and optimisation of single-cell and multi-omics technologies (10x Genomics, SmartSeq), integrating automation platforms (Agilent Bravo, Echo 550, Mantis) to improve throughput and reproducibility
• Managed end-to-end sequencing workflows, including library preparation, sample QC, data tracking and coordination across multi-disciplinary teams
• Provided specialised services including cell line authentication (STR profiling), pathogen screening (Mycoplasma, MHV) and sample QC, ensuring compliance with research and regulatory standards
• Supported delivery of advanced spatial transcriptomics and proteomics platforms (Visium, GeoMx, Stereo-seq), coordinating cross-functional workflows from tissue processing through to sequencing and data pipelines
• Optimised cfRNA collection methodology, extraction, processing, RT-qPCR
• Optimisation and evaluation of an Ion Torrent NGS targeted panel for library preparation and fusion detection
• Contributed to the development of gene signatures as biomarkers to identify samples with CTC (circulating tumour cells)
• Supported delivery of molecular profiling workflows including NGS based tumour analysis

Master of Science - Oncology and Cancer Biology - University of Nottingham (2016-12)

Bachelor of Science (Hons) - Pharmacology - University of Liverpool (2015-07)