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LABORATORY MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT:
Expert managed and developed an analytical laboratory from department side service for basic soil analysis to independent profitable Laboratory unit for soil, plant and water analysis. The laboratory supported research and also performed testing services for national forest monitoring program and commercial clients. Expert interviewed, hired and on-boarded laboratory staff during this time.

Expert carried out extensive laboratory business analysis that included quality performance, work load and financial data. She found out that financial data lacked transparency and developed and implemented laboratory accounting and pricing systems. She proved profitability of the laboratory and prevented its closure.

Expert helped R&D company in Europe to develop testing services business. She delivered workshops on ISO/IEC 17025 compliant quality system for laboratory, moderated several brainstorming sessions, carried out SWOT analysis and gap analysis, and helped the client prepare business plans for the development of market-oriented laboratories for polymer testing.

Expert has managed laboratory renovation projects. She selected project team members and led efforts to redesign laboratory office spaces into testing area and acquire office space for laboratory engineers and the manager in a nearby office space of an R&D department. She selected contractors and coordinated laboratory remodeling.

Expert has experience in purchasing and managing installation of laboratory equipment including planning of investment and net present value analysis.

MEASUREMENT SYSTEM EVALUATION, EQUIVALENCE TESTING AND TEST METHOD VALIDATION:
Expert evaluated measurement systems in analytical and physical testing laboratories after implementation of new equipment, equipment replacement, parts and reagents replacement, major maintenance of equipment or replacement/addition of operator. She designed and evaluated many variability studies and measurement system analysis studies to identify either opportunities for improvement or to troubleshoot measurement process.

She implemented Evaluation of Measurement Processes methods to testing laboratory. She successfully used graphical presentations of measurement system performance data in communications with laboratory staff and management.

She performed many equivalence studies for equipment replacement, test method improvement, operator qualification and reagents replacement.

She designed experiments, analyzed data for test method validation and reviewed test method validation plans and statistical reports for laboratories in environmental, polymer and pharmaceutical industry.

QA/QC FOR TESTING PROCESES

Expert developed and implemented QA procedures including check sample and internal reference material preparation and preservation, selection of control charting tools for monitoring test method performance, data collection plan, out-of-control action plan, data analysis and reporting.

Expert successfully implemented QA program in environmental laboratory and improved its performance from low performing in proficiency testing program to top performing laboratory.

Expert worked with client in polymer industry and evaluated performance of several test methods in development. She prepared routine quality control implementation plan for laboratory services.

Expert developed training on implementation of QA program using control charting and risk management in testing laboratories and trained many laboratory professionals.

Expert is technical contact for ASTM E2587 standard for control charting methods.

Expert was representative of Republic of Slovenia on several Expert Panels for harmonization of methodology for sampling, laboratory analyses and quality control in European Forest Monitoring Program -ICP-Forests.

PROFICIENCY TESTING
Expert developed, implemented and managed internal proficiency testing program for manufacturing company and its materials suppliers to monitor testing performance. She used ASTM methods for analysis of data and reporting.

Expert managed proficiency testing activities for analytical and materials testing laboratory including troubleshooting of non-performing test results and monitoring overall laboratory performance.

Expert organized and managed round robin studies between production materials testing laboratory and supplier laboratory.

Expert was a member of The Alliance for Life Sciences, Food, Veterinary and Agriculture Expertise (ALVA) and prepared soil and plant tissue samples for ALVA proficiency testing scheme.

SAMPLING
Expert developed soil sampling design optimization by using composite samples subject to predetermined budget constrain. She used multivariate statistical methods and Bayesian approach to determine sampling design information. This work was continuation of her previous study on evaluation of sampling design performance for several analytes. She had invited presentation of this work at US Air Force Environmental Training Symposium in 2005 and at annual expert conference of The Alliance for Life Sciences, Food, Veterinary and Agriculture Expertise (ALVA).

Expert prepared sampling designs for environmental impact studies, phytoremediation project, and material evaluation in production troubleshooting. She developed sampling design for evaluation of rubber sheets spatial variability that was used in planning production transfer to another facility.

Expert developed laboratory procedures for preparing and evaluating internal laboratory reference materials, proficiency testing sample material and laboratory check samples.

She developed sampling plan and a suite of test methods to identify and quantify deviation in raw material properties from a supplier causing processing problems and delays in production. Her work was vital for resolving the issue with one of the suppliers, which eventually eliminated reprocessing of material and reduced scrap cost.

DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF ISO/IEC 17025 COMPLIAN QUALITY SYSTEMS

Expert developed, deployed and managed ISO/IEC 17025 compliant quality system for environmental laboratory in Europe. She also managed proficiency testing and QA activities and developed or improved many laboratory policies and procedures for ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory in US. She was also point of contact for laboratory accreditation and lead auditor for internal audits of two accredited laboratories.

Expert prepared reports on laboratory performance for management review with many graphical presentations of performance metrices and comparisons to historic performance. She developed training efficiency metrices and QA and PT performance metrices.

As a consultant, Expert has:
- developing testing servicess buisness: auditing to evaluate gaps in quality system, SWOT analysis, business plan for development of testing services, planning for purchasing and iunstallation of equipment, net present value analysis of investment,
- evaluating pottential for metger of two laboratories
- developing or improving quality system: preparing policies, procedures, implementing QA procedures, risk management procedures, ...
- planning remodeling of laboratory/testing facility
- business analysis - quality performance, work load, profitability, training efficiency