Risper Meyo

Results-driven Project Management and Clinical Research professional with over six years of progressive experience supporting multi-site clinical research, infectious disease surveillance, laboratory operations, quality management, and community-based research within internationally funded project at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI-CDC). Experienced in program coordination, implementation, multidisciplinary team coordination, stakeholder engagement, risk management, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, monitoring, reporting, and continuous quality improvement. Proven ability to coordinate activities across multiple study sites, provide operational and technical oversight, monitor implementation against protocols and quality standards, identify and resolve operational challenges, and support timely achievement of project objectives.

Strong working knowledge of ICH-GCP, GCLP, SOP implementation, research ethics, regulatory requirements, risk-based management, clinical trial monitoring, epidemiology, surveillance data management, and research quality systems.

Laboratory Supervisor – Maternal and Newborn Health Surveillance and Vaccine Studies - Kenya Medical Research Institute – Center for Disease Control (KEMRI-CDC) - Nairobi, Kenya

(2023-10)

• Coordinate multi-site program and laboratory operations across peripheral study sites, overseeing sample workflows, staff workload, timelines, data quality, chain of custody, and resolution of operational challenges.
• Provide operational and technical oversight to laboratory personnel, supporting consistent implementation of study protocols, quality standards, SOPs, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate sponsor audits, internal quality audits, and regulatory inspection readiness by preparing essential study documentation and monitoring compliance with GCP, SOPs, protocols, and sponsor requirements.
• Prepare laboratory quality performance reports and key quality indicators for Quality Management Review meetings, monitor nonconformances, and support continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to resolve audit observations and inspection findings by assigning corrective actions, tracking implementation, monitoring timelines, and verifying closure.
• Lead root cause investigations for protocol deviations, quality events, and audit findings and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Manage the end-to-end CAPA process, including investigation, action planning, tracking, implementation verification, and effectiveness checks.
• Lead study start-up activities by preparing laboratory systems, implementing study-specific SOPs, organizing GCP training, maintaining training records, verifying staff competency, and ensuring study readiness.
• Coordinate specimen chain of custody and laboratory quality systems to support participant safety, data integrity, accurate documentation, and timely testing.
• Collaborate with Principal Investigators, clinicians, laboratory teams, sponsors, regulatory stakeholders, and other multidisciplinary teams to resolve operational issues and achieve study objectives.

Medical Laboratory Technologist - Kenya Medical Research Institute – Center for Disease Control (KEMRI-CDC) - Nairobi, Kenya

(2020-10 - 2023-09)

• Coordinated specimen receipt, labelling, processing, tracking, storage, and shipment while maintaining chain of custody, specimen logs, and protocol compliance.
• Performed malaria microscopy, blood sample processing, DNA extraction, and other laboratory assays in accordance with validated SOPs, quality control procedures, and study protocols.
• Maintained laboratory quality standards through equipment calibration and maintenance, internal quality control monitoring, and participation in external proficiency testing.
• Supported regulatory compliance for biological specimen shipment by preparing documentation, coordinating shipment logistics, and maintaining complete shipment records.
• Maintained laboratory inventories, equipment maintenance logs, study documentation, and stock monitoring records to support uninterrupted program operations.
• Collaborated with clinicians, researchers, data teams, and laboratory personnel through multidisciplinary meetings, timely communication of findings, and resolution of operational challenges.
• Supported development and implementation of laboratory SOPs and quality improvement initiatives, including staff training and routine compliance assessments

Medical Laboratory Technologist - Kenya Medical Research Institute – Research Care and Training Program (KEMRI-RCTP) - Nairobi, Kenya

(2018-07 - 2020-09)

• Coordinated specimen packaging, cold-chain transport, and chain-of-custody documentation to preserve sample integrity from collection sites to testing laboratories.
• Collaborated with clinicians, nurses, field workers, community health volunteers, investigators, and data managers to support community-based research implementation.
• Collected, labelled, processed, and stored field specimens during household surveys, school-based health screenings, and mobile outreach clinics in accordance with approved protocols.
• Performed point-of-care laboratory testing and specimen processing, including hemoglobin testing, malaria rapid testing, and HIV testing.
• Processed maternal, neonatal, cord blood, placental, and other research specimens using protocol-specific procedures.
• Maintained laboratory equipment and reagent inventories and ensured availability of supplies during community outreach activities.
• Recorded laboratory data accurately in study databases and laboratory registers while maintaining participant confidentiality and data integrity.

BSc. - Public Health with Information Technology - Maseno University (2024-01 - 2026)

Diploma - Medical Laboratory Technology - Kisumu National Polytechnic (2014-01 - 2017-12)