Shanaaz Sonday
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Summary
A highly qualified, diligent and proficient flow cytometry technologist with broad experience in testing, analytical and management aspects of laboratory diagnostics.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Within the United Arab Emirates
- Organization:- Department of Health
- Category:- Medical Laboratory Technologist
- Member since:- 25/11/2010
Within South Africa
- Organization:- Health Profession’s Council of South Africa (former South African Medical and Dental Council)
- Category:- Medical Technologist - Haematology
- Member since:- 12/06/1996
- Registration Number:- MT 0068993
PUBLICATIONS
Paper Title
Microvolume fluorimetry for the determination of absolute CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte counts in patients with HIV: a comparative evaluation.
Journal: - Clinical Laboratory Haematology 1999 21, 391-395
Authors: - D. Glencross*, L. Scott*, H. Aggett*, S. Sonday*, C.S. Scottƒ
* Department of Haematology, South African Institute for Medical Research, Johannesburg Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa.
ƒBiometric Imaging Inc, Mountain View, California, USA
Paper title
Results of a Study to .Quantitate the Effects of Ageing and Incorrect Volumes of EDTA Tubes on Full Blood Counts, Automated Differential Counts, Automated Reticulocyte Counts and T-cell Subset Analysis
Journal: - MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY SA 2001 Vol. 15 No. 2
Authors: - D. LAWRIE, S. Sonday, M. MUNSTER
Department of Haematology, Johannesburg Hospital, National Health Laboratory Service
Paper title
Acute leukemia among the adult population of United Arab Emirates: an epidemiological study
Journal: - Leukemia & Lymphoma, July 2009; 50(7): 1138–1147
Authors: - INAAM BASHIR HASSAN1,2, SHERIEF I. A. M. ISLAM3, HUSSAIN ALIZADEH2, JORGEN KRISTENSEN2, AMR KAMBAL3, SHANAAZ SONDAY3, & ROOS M. D. BERNSEEN4
1 Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE,
2 Department of Oncology, Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, UAE,
3 Hematology and transfusion service, Dept of Laboratory Medicine,
Tawam Hospital in Affiliation with Johns Hopkins Medicine, and
4 Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of
Community Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Section in charge - Flow Cytometry
Burjeel Medical City
Abu Dhabi, UAE
2023.07 - Current
- Maintaining the CD34 Stem Cell testing for the bone marrow transplant patients.
- Re-establishing the leukemia/lymphoma diagnostic services after a brief cessation.
- Calibrate, oversee and supervise the running and recording of correct instrument controls and quality assurance samples.
- Ensure daily, weekly and monthly maintenance procedures are carried out.
- Investigate, troubleshoot and monitor any problems that arise in the section in order to maintain efficiency in the section and promote excellence, analytically and consultatively.
- Maintain stocks and quality of all materials, reagents and equipment in the section.
- Writing and reviewing SOP’s / TOP’s and ensuring that they are available on the bench for reference at all times.
- Giving introduction lectures and basic flow cytometry training to college students from various colleges around the emirate.
Senior Medical Technologist - Flow Cytometry
Tawam Hospital
Al Ain, UAE
2000.10 - 2022.04
- Upon my arrival at Tawam Hospital I re-started the Flow Cytometry service which had temporarily been suspended.
- All required validation, verification, Quality Assurance and maintenance for the Becton Dickinson FACS Calibur flow cytometer and then after that the BD FACS Canto A, BD FACS Canto II and most recently the Beckman Coulter NAVIOS EX had been followed, supported and maintained to the highest level possible.
- The services provided included lymphocyte subset analysis for immune monitoring, Immunophenotyping of Leukaemias and Lymphomas, Platelet Marker Analysis, Paroxymal Nocturnal Haemaglobinurea (PNH) Assay, Neutrophil function Test (BurstTest), DNA Ploidy Analysis, Leukocount for the determination of leukocytes in leuko-reduced products, Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT), HLA-B27 Assay.
- Specimen types processed included peripheral blood and bone marrow aspirates, Lymph node and other tissue biopsies, Fine needle aspirates and fluids such as pleural, peritoneal and CSF.
- Upon the departure of the Section Chief in 2010, I assumed all the duties and responsibilities for the operation of the section i.e Administratively, Technically and with reference to the training of new staff.
- Liaised with colleagues, customers and patients.
- Promoted the company policies of excellence, analytically and consultatively.
- Identified appropriate skills of staff in the section and allocated work accordingly.
- Identified training needs and deficiencies.
- Taught, trained, guided, coached and supported any staff faced with difficulties in the tasks assigned to them.
- Monitored results produced by the instruments ensuring all calibration, maintenance and quality assurance procedures have been followed.
- Ensured that all SOP’s and TOP’s were available on the bench and staff understood and accurately followed all methods.
- Monitored and authorized all results from the bench ensuring that the necessary checks and corrections were carried out.
- Maintained laboratory efficiency.
- With the assistance of the staff in the section, I prepared the section for the 2011 CAP inspection which resulted in our meeting all the requirements and being accredited. I had guided the Section through re-accreditation from 2013 to 2021
Education
N Dip Medical Technology - Medical Technology
University of Johannesburg (Wits Technikon)
Johannesburg, South Africa 1992.01 - 1995.12
High School Diploma -
St. Catherine's Convent
Johannesburg, South Africa 1987.01 - 1991.12
Skills
- > 20 years of Flow Cytometry experience
- Flow cytometers operated are the Coulter XL-MCL, BD FACS Calibur, BD FACS Canto and BD FACS Canto II, Coulter NAVIOS EX
- Functions include: -
- Lymphocyte subset analysis for immune monitoring of patients
- Immunophenotyping of Leukaemias and Lymphomas
- DNA Ploidy Analysis
- CD34 stem cell enumerations for bone marrow transplants
- Platelet Receptor Analysis for Bernard Soullier and Glanzmann’s Thrombasthenia
- Heparin Induced Thrombocytopeania(HIT) Assay
- Neutrophil BurstTest, HLA-B27 and other special assays
- Analysis software applications include: -
- FACS Canto & FACS Diva software
- Paint-a-Gate Analysis
- ModFit LT for DNA Ploidy Analysis
- NAVIOS and Kaluza software
- Specimen types processed include: -
- Peripheral blood and bone marrow aspirates
- Lymph node and other tissue biopsies
- Body Fluids such as pleural, peritoneal, CSF and fine needle aspirates
- Pre-Apheresis, Collect Apheresis, Bone marrow harvest and post thaw samples
Languages
English
Proficient (C2)
Afrikaans
Upper intermediate
German
Elementary
REFERENCES
Amr Rajab
Flow cytometry Technical Specialist LifeLabs Toronto
Tel:- +1 416-617-5910
Email:- Amr.Rajab@LifeLabs.com
Dr. Charbel Khalil
Cell Therapy Director -Reviva Medical
Tel:- +961 4 718 304
Email:- C.khalil@revivamedical.net
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Section in charge - Flow Cytometry
Burjeel Medical City
2023.07 - Current
Senior Medical Technologist - Flow Cytometry
Tawam Hospital
2000.10 - 2022.04
N Dip Medical Technology - Medical Technology
University of Johannesburg (Wits Technikon)
1992.01 - 1995.12
High School Diploma -
St. Catherine's Convent
1987.01 - 1991.12