Alexander Ogbonna

Competent and proficient Medical Laboratory Scientist with over 10 years' multidisciplinary laboratory experience across Haematology, Blood transfusion, Microbiology, Clinical chemistry, Molecular diagnostics, and Histopathology in ISO 15189-aligned laboratories. Highly competent in automated and manual diagnostic techniques, LIMS, quality management systems, and haemovigilance. Experienced in Research and Public Health jobs.

Proving team leader with strong commitment to patient safety, continuous improvement, and professional development.

Seeking Medical Laboratory

Science role within the health service or accredited private laboratories.

Medical Laboratory Scientist (Microbiology) - Lion Medical Diagnostic Limited - Garki, Abuja

(2021-01 - 2026-05)

• Performed microbiological culture, isolation, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) on clinical specimens in accordance with ISO 15189, CLSI guidelines, and laboratory SOPs.
• Operated and maintained automated microbiology platforms, including BACTEC, GeneXpert, VITEK® 2, API, and Phoenix M50, for rapid pathogen detection, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
• Prepared, inoculated, and interpreted microbiological culture media, including Blood Agar, Chocolate Agar, MacConkey Agar, Brilliance UTI Agar, Deoxycholate Citrate Agar (DCA), and Mueller-Hinton Agar for organism isolation and AST.
• Performed direct microscopy and biochemical identification using Gram staining, Ziehl–Neelsen staining, catalase, oxidase, and other conventional microbiological techniques to identify clinically significant microorganisms.
• Standardized bacterial inocula using the McFarland turbidity standard and performed Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion susceptibility testing, ensuring accurate interpretation and reporting of antimicrobial susceptibility profiles.
• Maintained strict quality management practices by conducting internal quality control, equipment calibration, preventive maintenance, media quality assurance, and documentation in compliance with ISO 15189 and CLSI standards.
• Ensured laboratory biosafety and infection prevention through appropriate specimen handling, aseptic techniques, PPE use, waste segregation, decontamination procedures, and adherence to biosafety guidelines.
• Accurately documented, validated, and communicated microbiology results, collaborating with clinicians and multidisciplinary healthcare teams to support timely diagnosis, antimicrobial stewardship, and optimal patient care.

Laboratory Ad-Hoc Staff on Covid-19 Response (Molecular Diagnosis) - National Reference Laboratory, Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) - Nigeria

(2020-04 - 2020-09)

• Received and documented highly contagious COVID-19 samples collected across the 36 states of the Federation plus FCT.
• Inactivated 140µL each of the COVID-19 samples in glove-box pressure.
• Aliquoted each of the samples in triplicate (2-Test & 1-Archive) in well-labeled cryovials.
• Extracted the viral DNA from RNA COVID-19 samples through reverse transcriptase.
• Master mixing and template addition.
• Amplification (loading and assigning targets to the samples) in the PCR machine for SARS CoV-2 detection.
• Case Investigation Forms (CIFs) data entering into two different computer application platforms- LIMS & LINELIST.

Research Medical Scientist (Haematology) - International Foundation Against Infectious Disease in Nigeria - Nigeria

(2015-01 - 2020-03)

• Collected, labelled, processed, and preserved biological specimens using safe venepuncture techniques while ensuring specimen integrity, participant confidentiality, and compliance with SOPs.
• Performed HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C serological testing in accordance with the Nigerian National Testing Algorithm, laboratory SOPs, and quality standards.
• Implemented quality assurance and quality control procedures to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and validity of laboratory test results.
• Processed, stored, and transported specimens while maintaining cold chain requirements and complete chain-of-custody documentation.
• Operated, calibrated, maintained, and troubleshot laboratory equipment to ensure optimal performance and uninterrupted testing services.
• Managed laboratory inventory by monitoring test kits, reagents, consumables, and PPE to ensure continuous availability for field operations.
• Maintained accurate laboratory documentation, including specimen registers, quality control records, worksheets, and daily activity reports, in compliance with project and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborated effectively with multidisciplinary field teams to ensure adherence to biosafety standards, infection prevention and control measures, ethical research practices, and successful implementation of the field activities.

Intern Medical Laboratory Scientist (Histopathology) - National Hospital Abuja - Abuja, Nigeria

(2013-05 - 2014-05)

• Performed routine laboratory diagnostics across disciplines including microbiology and immunology.
• Assisted in sample collection including Pap smears and cervical samples (supporting cytology services).
• Participated in EQA schemes and daily IQC procedures.
• Assisted in SOP updates and documented control procedures.
• Operated and maintained automated laboratory analyzers.
• Ensured compliance with laboratory health & safety standards.
• Coordinated the activities of all the intern Scientists throughout the one year programme.

NYSC Medical Laboratory Scientist (Histopathology) - Medical Center Mararaba Gurku - Nasarawa State, Nigeria

(2012-03 - 2013-03)

• Operated automated biochemistry and immunoassay platforms.
• Performed routine specialist test: EUCr, LFT, Lipids, Hormones, Tumor makers, HbA1C.
• Processed CSF and other body fluids for biochemical analysis.
• Performed IQC and participated in EQA schemes.
• Validated and authorized results on LIMS.

Bachelor Degree - Medical Laboratory Sciences - University of Nigeria Nsukka (2010)