Michael Parks

Experience

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  UMDNJ

  Aug 2006 - Sept 2006

  Student

  Summer job experience in the lab of Dr Maria Gennaro, working on Mycobacterium tuberculosis. My job consisted in the analysis via RT PCR of gene expression of 30 TB genes which were activated during the infectious period of the bacteria. My work was included in the subsequent publication and I was recognized as one of the authors.

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  University of Pavia

  Jan 2007 - Jul 2007

  BSc Student

  As part of my BSc in Biology, I worked for seven month in the Molecular Biology lab of Prof Elena Giulotto. Here I learned to use molecular biology and biochemistry techniques in order to analyse equine cells which had been immortalized by introducing the two human genes which allow for telomers elongation. My work was summarised in my thesis which was part of the final graduation exam for my BSc.

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  Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche

  Sept 2007 - Jul 2009

  MSc Student

  During my MSc in Microbiology and Genetics, I worked in the lab of Dr Ivana Scovassi on colon cancer. My job consisted of using cell biology and biochemistry techniques to analyse the effect of various new chemotherapeutic compounds on epithelial cancer cells in the context of induced apoptosis. My work was included in my final MSc thesis and published shortly after. In Dr Scovassi's lab I produced and published two papers, one of them as first author.

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  UC San Diego

  Jul 2008 - Sept 2008

  Student

  Summer job experience working in Dr Martin Marsala's lab on Huntington's disease. I helped characterize new viral based plasmid constructs which would be used to express different mutants of the HD gene in the brain of rats. My work contributed to the preliminary work needed for a new project proposal.

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  University of Birmingham

  Sept 2009 - Nov 2013

  PhD Student

  I worked as a PhD student in the CRUK Institute for Cancer Studies based in the University of Birmingham under the supervision of Dr Fedor Berditchevski. The title of my project was "The role of syntenin-1 in modulating ephrinB2 pathways in tumour breast epithelial cells". I used a variety of biochemical, cell biology and biomolecular techniques in order to uncover how syntenin-1 and ephrinB2 are connected in their biological pathways and how these are involved in stimulating angiogenesis and metastasis in breast cancer cells. I presented my thesis and obtained my PhD in March 2014. Show less

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  Birmingham Women's Hospital

  Dec 2013 - Jun 2016

  Developmental Scientist

  Working in the regional genetics department, I am primarily responsible for leading the NIPSIGEN project, with the aim of developing and implementing non-invasive prenatal diagnosis tests for single gene disorders in a clinical setting. Through the use of digital droplet PCR and Next Generation Sequencing, I am researching and developing new tests able to analyse the cell free fetal DNA present in a pregnant woman's bloodstream to determine whether the unborn child has inherited the single gene disorder carried by his parents. Show less

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  Nonacus

  Jul 2016 - now

  As Director of Laboratory Operations at Nonacus and our sister company Informed Genomics, I lead a team of highly skilled scientists and technicians in charge of conducting all laboratory activities. This includes research and development of novel genetic tests in the oncology and prenatal fields; as well as research and UKAS-accredited clinical services in the field of cancer diagnostics and screening. As senior scientist in R&D at Nonacus, I am tasked with designing and developing non-invasive diagnostic solutions for prenatal healthcare and oncology.

  • Director of Laboratory Operations

    Nov 2024 - now

  • Head Of Research And Development

    Jul 2018 - Dec 2024

  • Senior Scientist

    Jul 2016 - Jul 2018