Sergejs Nikisins

Experience

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  NMS Laboratorija

  Aug 2005 - Jan 2009

  Part-time job in one of the biggest private medical laboratories in Baltic States, accredited according to ISO EN 15189. The responsibilities: managing external and internal quality controls, approbation and evaluation of new immune chemistry methods, writing manuals for test-systems. Customer service, call-duties, registration of laboratory investigation requests in LIS. Providing information to clinical doctors about the possibilities of laboratory diagnostic. Responsible for documentation for Insurance companies.

  • Laboratory doctor / Assistant of the Head of Immune chemistry dept.

    Nov 2007 - Jan 2009

  • Medical assistant

    Aug 2005 - Oct 2007
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  Rīgas Austrumu klīniskā universitātes slimnīca

  Jun 2008 - Sept 2013

  Held multiple roles as Head of the Dangerous Infectious Diseases Diagnostic Division (BSL-3 lab), Biosafety Officer, and Virologist at the WHO-recognized National Influenza Centre in Latvia. As Head of the BSL-3 laboratory, was responsible for supervising and leading laboratory operations, including detecting rare, dangerous, and emerging bacterial and viral pathogens under BSL-3 conditions, updating algorithms for high-threat pathogen detection, and conducting rapid risk assessments and responses. Additionally, ensured laboratory accreditation and compliance with regulatory requirements and participated in external quality assurance programs.As the laboratory Biosafety Officer, managed biosafety in the laboratory setting by developing and maintaining the Biosafety manual, organizing training for laboratory staff and healthcare professionals, and ensuring compliance with local and international biosafety regulations. Also conducted risk assessments, developed and implemented biosafety protocols, and investigated biosafety incidents or accidents.At the WHO-recognized NIC-Riga, was responsible for serologic diagnostic methods for influenza and other respiratory pathogens, conducting influenza virus antigenic characterization methods, and sharing virus samples with the WHO Collaborating Centers. Also participated in research on the epidemiology and evolution of influenza viruses, implemented new diagnostic methods or assays, and provided technical assistance or training to other laboratories or healthcare professionals. Overall, ensured compliance with local and international regulations related to the handling, transport, and disposal of infectious materials. Show less Part-time work at night shifts and weekends. Main tasks were to consult clinical doctors on laboratory diagnostic methods and testing result's interpretation and recommendations; supervise the work quality of laboratory technicians, ensuring that the work is done accurately and efficiently.In addition to the supervisory duties, performed microbiology and clinical chemistry tests for up to 2000 patient samples per shift. The examination methods include blood leukocyte formula, CSF cells manual count, ARB bacterioscopy after the Cill-Nilsen method, and urine sediment microscopy.Was responsible for ensuring the operation and maintenance of 15 analyzers used for automated methods of examinations. These analyzers include Cobas Integra 400, Cobas 6000, Elecsys, STA, MINI VIDAS, Radiometr Copenhagen, RapidLab 1265, Cobas b221, Osmomat 030-D, and CELL DYN 3700. These analyzers' daily quality control and calibration were essential to ensure accurate and reliable results. Analyzers’ daily inspection and maintenance were also part of the responsibilities. Show less

  • Head of BSL-3 Lab / Virologist at WHO-recognized NIC-Riga / NRL biosafety officer

    Sept 2007 - Sept 2013

  • Duty laboratory physician

    Jun 2008 - Aug 2013
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  European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)

  Sept 2013 - Sept 2015

  EUPHEM at European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)

  The ECDC EUPHEM fellowship included several responsibilities and projects. One of these involved performing an international external quality assessment study for molecular detection of Lassa Virus to assess LASV molecular diagnostic capabilities of international laboratories. Also established a new molecular typing method (NG-MAST) for RKI and the German national conciliar laboratory and used this method for typing national isolates rather than sending samples abroad.In addition, worked on a project at ECDC to determine the sensitivity of the European Union 2012 case definition for hepatitis B and C. Also performed a multi-country Salmonella Enteritidis phage type 14b outbreak investigation with epidemiologists and laboratories in Germany and other countries (the UK, France, and Austria), analyzed the findings, communicated them, and prepared an outbreak report.Performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of M.abscessus isolates and established a fast, qualitative, and accessible performance method for M. abscessus DNA preparation for whole-genome sequencing. Organized and facilitated laboratory training modules for epidemiologists and an ENIVD training module on biological risk management and international shipping of dangerous substances. Show less

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  World Health Organization

  Sept 2015 - now

  My role involves the continuous development and implementation of a comprehensive surveillance system for respiratory viruses such as influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV, and others with pandemic potential. This is done through the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS). I also provide project management support for the development of GISRS Expansion, which involves consulting with key stakeholders to address operational details and developing a pilot plan with various modules. As part of my duties, I oversee the status of the combined monitoring of influenza and SARS-CoV-2. I work in partnership with various teams at WHO HQ, Regional, and Country Offices to enhance this integrated surveillance at national, regional, and global levels. I also participate in the development and management of training programs to bolster the capacity of countries in integrated surveillance of GISRS and broad collaborative surveillance in collaboration with Regional and Country Offices.Apart from my other duties, I am responsible for creating and organizing project-related documents and materials such as proposals, progress reports, technical feedbacks, and advocacy slides. I offer generic project management support to the Global Influenza Programme and oversee the monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of key performance indicators and reporting requirements to ensure the optimal performance of Programme deliverables.In addition, I am managing and coordinating RSV EQA; I am responsible for communication with RSV Reference Laboratories and coordinating the drafting of RSV Sequencing considerations. I actively participate in coordinating RSV surveillance-related activities with the CDC and BMGF. Show less Full and part-time consultancy contracts with WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Headquarters from October 2015 until April 2023. Area of expertise: Influenza-Covid-interphase and virological surveillance, Lab assessment and optimization, TB, Laboratory Quality and Biorisk Management, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), Tool development, AMR.Country work experience Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Germany, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Turkey, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, UkraineThe most recent consultancy included facilitating and monitoring the integration of influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and other respiratory virus surveillance, providing technical support, maintaining an updated profile of sequencing capacities, evaluating sharing of genetic sequencing data, and facilitating networking between participating laboratories and scientific dissemination.Within consultancies was continuously supporting the WHO in lab-related activities, focusing on strengthening influenza and TB labs, improving IPC, ensuring quality and biosafety measures, optimizing lab operations, and improving specimen referral processes. Facilitated training courses in laboratory management, IPC, biosafety, and quality. In addition, worked with national working groups to optimize lab systems and implement reforms. Participated in developing various WHO tools for laboratory costing and expenditure, human resources, TB IPC, and biorisk management. Mentored the National AMR laboratories and participated in developing sample referral systems for public health labs in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.Furthermore, participated in a TB laboratory system strengthening project in Romania and produced technical reports and guidelines for WHO/Europe. Participated in a TB whole-genome sequencing study in Belarus.Additionally provided input to ECDC-WHO/EURO weekly FluNewsEurope bulletin as a writer and influenza virology expert during the seasons 2015-2016 and 2016-2017. Show less

  • Technical Officer

    May 2023 - now

  • International Consultant

    Sept 2015 - Apr 2023
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  Rīgas Austrumu klīniskā universitātes slimnīca

  Jun 2017 - Feb 2023

  The head of the National Reference Laboratory in Latvia with extensive experience in laboratory management organization. With a background in medicine and microbiology, has worked on numerous projects related to public health and pathogen surveillance, ensuring the safety and health of the public. As the head of the NRL/Latvia, managed a team of 100 laboratory employees responsible for testing infectious disease pathogens, including influenza virus, SARS-CoV-2, TB, high-threat pathogens, polio, entero, measles and rubella, HIV, viral hepatitis, and other. This role included coordinating the national network of COVID-19 laboratories and managing the national collaboration with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as the National Microbiology Focal Point. Additionally, was a member of the Treatment Council, where provided scientific collaboration between lab specialists and clinical doctors. As the coordinator of the COVID-19 laboratory network, was responsible for ensuring that the network is functioning effectively, providing guidance to laboratory staff, and ensuring that laboratory testing is conducted in accordance with international guidelines. Also worked closely with the national COVID-19 task force to provide advice on testing strategies and the interpretation of test results. As COVID-19 laboratory network coordinator played a critical role in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic in Latvia, ensuring that accurate and reliable testing services are available to the public. For the contribution during COVID-19 pandemic was awarded The Three Star Order (Triju Zvaigžņu ordenis) which is the highest civilian award in Latvia. Show less Part-time work at night shifts and weekends. Main tasks were to consult clinical doctors on laboratory diagnostic methods and testing result's interpretation and recommendations; supervise the work quality of laboratory technicians, ensuring that the work is done accurately and efficiently.In addition to the supervisory duties, performed microbiology and clinical chemistry tests for up to 2000 patient samples per shift. The examination methods include blood leukocyte formula, CSF cells manual count, ARB bacterioscopy after the Cill-Nilsen method, and urine sediment microscopy.Was responsible for ensuring the operation and maintenance of 15 analyzers used for automated methods of examinations. These analyzers' daily quality control and calibration were essential to ensure accurate and reliable results. Analyzers’ daily inspection and maintenance were also part of the responsibilities. Show less

  • Head of NRL //MoH COVID-19 laboratory network coordinator // Chief laboratory specialist

    Jul 2019 - Feb 2023

  • Duty Laboratory physician

    Jun 2017 - Jun 2019