Danielle Mulder, PhD

Experience

• 

  Med 24

  Jan 2005 - Oct 2009

  Medical Receptionist

  I worked as a medical receptionist at Med 24 initially full-time and then part-time when I went to study for my undergraduate degree. Some of my work highlights include:- Good telephone etiquette and communication skills, which often resulted in conflict resolution with upset patients.- Billing of patient accounts which resulted in company receiving money.- Relational to the patients by being positive, honest, empathetic, and compassionate. This helped the patients/family members to relax especially under intense situations.Some of the skills obtained: Communication | Good telephone etiquette | Conflict resolution | Account billing | patient triaging | debt collecting from medical aid payments | workman's compensation | money handling | listening skills | good company representation | Being calm under extreme conditions Show less

• 

  National Health Laboratory Service

  Feb 2010 - Jan 2012

  From the Molecular Genetics DepartmentThis diagnostic laboratory uses molecular genetic techniques on determining genetic disorders. The skills learned from this lab:-Reagent preparation and DNA extraction. Here I learned that different extraction methods can affect the downstream PCR process, thus knowing which extraction process to use for each PCR method was key for successful profiling. - Organising and storing of the DNA samples in an inventory that was organised per mendelian disorder. This helped in the efficient and rapid recalling of samples if it needed to be sent for external testing.- Ran Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for the detection of genetic disorders with abnormal copy numbers. -Also used bioinformatic programs such as Ensembl and NCBI Show less From the Serogenetics (Applied polymorphisms) DepartmentThis diagnostic laboratory focuses on aneuploidy and paternity testing. Some of the highlights for this position included:- Sample preparation i.e cutting tissue from a foetus or drilling bone and extraction of DNA from bone, chorionic villus sampling (CVS), blood, amniocentesis, muscle and buccal swab using a kit. This resulted in quality DNA samples for analysis and no need for resampling of patients. - Preparation of PCR reaction mixtures, setting cycling parameters on the PCR machine, DNA quantification using the nano-drop, preparation of PCR products for loading into the automated electrophoresis machine, use of the genetic analyser 3130xl and genemapper software as well as analysing results both for paternity and aneuploidy tests and then writing and initialing reports (under supervision and then unsupervised) resulted in timeous and accurate patient results.- Handling of the customer queries and complaints resulted in satisfied customers.- Stocktaking, ordering, and receiving of stock. This ensured that tests could be run and turnaround times were met.- Laboratory housekeeping. This resulted in sterile conditions being maintained for the DNA testing.- Data collection and literature searches (mini project titled: The frequencies of various loci and haplotypes found on the X-Chromosome in the white male population). This was presented to the whole genetics department and gave more accurate statistics for paternity test reporting. - Registering patient data on DISA and in-house database, result analysis, reporting, and billing on DISA and Meditech, ensuring tracking of patient samples and payment of tests.- Supervised and mentored genetic students in a practical environment resulting in knowledge transfer. Show less From the Cytogenetics department:This laboratory analyses chromosomes to detect genetic abnormalities. Some of my highlights included:- The preparation of cells in order to observe metaphase under the light microscope. The chromosome analysis resulted in the observation of abnormal and normal karyotypes which was reported for patients. - FISH was also one of the techniques used to analyse abnormal chromosomes.Summary of skills obtained:Preparation of culture medium | Organising samples | Sterile techniques | Harvesting of white blood cells | Slide making for chromosome analysis | Troubleshooting to increase banding resolution for chromosome stains | Metaphase screening using phase microscope | GLP | Registering samples | Observing sample quality | Planting amnio samples | Incubating amnio samples in petri dishes | Sub-culturing of amnio samples | Cytovision program for creating karyotypes | FISH (Fluorescent In situ Hybridisation) | Reagent preparation Show less

  • Medical Laboratory Scientist (molecular genetics)

    Sept 2011 - Jan 2012

  • Medical Laboratory Technician (serogenetics)

    Aug 2010 - Aug 2011

  • Medical Laboratory Technician (cytogenetics)

    Feb 2010 - Jul 2010
• 

  Veterinary Genetic laboratory Onderstepoort

  Mar 2012 - Sept 2014

  Wildlife forensic scientist

  I was a laboratory technician doing routine and forensic genetic identification of wildlife. Some of the highlights of this work included:- Sample processing, including evidence photographing of the evidence and recording for traceability purposes and evidence for court. - DNA extraction from various animal samples and weapons for the rhino cases. Attention to detail and GLP resulted in successful DNA extractions. - Time and pressure management resulted in the successful processing of samples and report reviewing for forensic cases.- Data analysis for horse DNA profiles ensured the timeous release of results.- Carrying out of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) for hyena sexing ensured that the clients were able to identify the sexes of the hyena for successful breeding programs.- Training of students in the laboratory for the DNA extraction processes and overseeing their project progress, this ensured that the students were able to finish their internships on time. Show less

• 

  North-West University / Noordwes-Universiteit

  Jan 2015 - Jun 2022

  My work involves the management and establishment of the nanotechnology laboratory. Our focus is on understanding the fundamentals and development of colorimetric-based bioassays using gold nanostars. Some work highlights include:- Nanolaboratory management, stock control, equipment maintenance, and chemical inventory and storage resulting that at all times scientists had sufficient reagents and consumables.- Experience in guiding junior team members as well as managing, coordination, scheduling and technical transfer skills of laboratory techniques, this has resulted in the successful timeous completion of tasks.- Expertise in troubleshooting experimental challenges in the laboratory with effective resolution ensuring the progression of projects - 3 articles currently in the pipeline. Show less I work with the center of human metabolomics in a part-time capacity as a laboratory technician while doing nanotechnology-based research. Some work highlights include:- Receiving patient samples for 3 different laboratories ensuring that the correct tests are done as per requisition, therefore meeting turnaround times. - Running delfia immunoassay tests and the liposomal storage disorder LC/MS tests for the newborn screening lab. My contribution ensures that the tests do not stand still when full-time staff are away and therefore the patients receive their results timeously.- Biobank recruiter, phoning patients and explaining what the biobank entails resulting in full consent for biobank participation and ensuring patient confidentiality this has helped towards the growth of the biobank.- Project proposal writing for ethics applications for the biobank projects underway, this ensures approval from ethics committee as project plan is clearly identified.- Actively interacting across various interdepartmental teams encouraging unity and skills utilization in order to achieve management goals and meeting deadlines.- Health and safety inspections for 4 laboratories, report findings, identification of problem areas, and present solutions. This is based on understanding all laboratory processes.- Knowledge of occupational health & safety representatives, ISO17025, and ISO15189 systems resulted in the identification and impementation of appropriate waste disposal procedure in one of the laboratories. Show less This project focused on synthesizing a gold nanostar to be used as a biosensor in the detection of fructosyl valine for glycated haemoglobin detection as well as being used to detect human albumin. These are both markers used in Diabetes Mellitus and hypertension detection. Some of the project highlights included: - Optimised HEPES-based gold nanostar synthesis which resulted in 1 publication.- Optimised colorimetric parameters for detection of hydrogen peroxide-based enzymatic assays, which were detectable visually and spectrophotometrically, resulting in 2 publications- Ability to design and conduct experiments, data interpretation and work collaboratively with a cross-functional team as indicated by 6 peer-reviewed publications.- Created awareness of the research through creative presentations to other departments and students.- Laboratory management and chemical inventory, stock analysis, quoting, and ordering with chemical handling and safety requirements. - International collaborations estabished through 3 conference attendence and presentations . Show less This project focused on different feeding schemes for the South African honey bees, in order to kill the varroa destructor mites. Some of the highlights included:- Synthesised iron nanoparticles and mixed various treatment solutions for bees.- Organised logistics and transportation of bees from farmers, resulting in zero incidents to bees and scientists transporting them.- Trained other staff in the maintenance of bees, feeding schemes, synthesis of particles and making up of reagents. Wrote the bee transportation safety SOP.- Data collection and daily monitoring of bee feeds. Data analysis and reporting of results.- Managed laboratory and organised rotation schedules for laboratory bench space between analysts. - Maintained equipment and service schedules. Show less This project looked at the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of gold nanoparticles which were functionalised with various different ligands. The cell type used was HepG2 cells. Some of the highlights of this project included:- Investigated the genotoxicity of Gold nanoparticles functionalised with 7 ligands in HepG2 cultured cells. Discovered that 2 of the ligands caused irreparable DNA damage.- Mastered several molecular biology techniques quickly including cell culture (including sterile techniques), WST-1, xCELLigence technology, ApoPercentage. and comet assay this resulted in a timeous completion of the project. - Lead and designed the experiments with lab partner ensuring timeous completion of tasks and preventing task overloading.- Managed the laboratory, ensuring sufficient stock, chemical handling and storage according to safety guidelines Show less

  • Senior Research Scientist (Gold nanostar research)

    Oct 2019 - Jun 2022

  • Laboratory Technician (Center for Human Metabolomics)

    Jan 2017 - Jun 2022

  • Senior Research Scientist (Gold nanostar biosensor development)

    Jan 2017 - Aug 2019

  • Senior Research Scientist (Varroa Destructor Project)

    May 2016 - Dec 2016

  • Junior Research Scientist

    Jan 2015 - Apr 2016
• 

  SapioSentient

  Jun 2022 - now

  Medical Research Scientist

  SapioSentient catalyzes ethical collaboration between STEM professionals and diverse stakeholders to facilitate impactful actions through science. The essence of our operations is encapsulated by the three interconnected nodes depicted in our logo, which synergistically work towards value creation:• Processing raw, individual-specific biological signals and sensing data,• Assembling unique STEM teams to interpret these signals for informed decision-making,• Collaborating with aligned stakeholders to apply these insights for meaningful global action.Our name, SapioSentient, symbolizes two essential human attributes that underpin value creation: 'Sapio', derived from 'Sapiens', implies discernment and wisdom. 'Sentient' signifies awareness and intelligence, emphasizing the ability to perceive and respond to sensory impressions with a high degree of perception or knowledge. Together, SapioSentient encapsulates our commitment to leverage human wisdom and perceptiveness to foster a healthier world.Our sentient network is currently focusing on improving human health span and reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases. Show less