1. Vanda J Makris
9230 SW 69th
Avenue Portland, Oregon 97223
Cell: 503.381.2580
E-mail: vmakris24@gmail.com
EDUCATION:
OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE, 1998-2002
Bachelor of Arts, Biology
Los Angeles, California
PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY, 2002-2003
Post-Baccalaureate classes in Environmental Studies
Portland, Oregon
EMPLOYMENT:
OREGON STATE PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY Hillsboro, Oregon
Oregon Health Authority
Microbiologist 2, Virology September 2006 – present
• Molecular Biology
o Performed both automated and manual extraction methods for submitted specimens
(RNA, DNA, and Total nucleic acid)
o Performed CDC approved rRT-PCR protocols for various communicable diseases and
respiratory viruses
 i.e. Norovirus, Sapovirus, Astrovirus, Rotavirus, Influenza viruses A & B, RSV,
Parainfluenza 1-3, hMPV, Rhinovirus, Adenovirus, MERS-CoV, Mumps,
Measles and VZV
o Supported the implementation of the H1N1 assay during the pandemic and performed
continual testing
o Monitored circulating Influenza for CDC in collaboration with WHO
o Prepared positive Influenza specimens to be sent for surveillance testing conducted by the
CDC
o Conducted gastrointestinal and respiratory outbreak testing on submitted specimens
o Assisted with validation and verification testing on new procedures and equipment to be
implemented for future testing
o Member of the Laboratory Response Network (LRN)
o Certified for molecular testing and ID of select agents
o Performed extraction and analysis of specimens submitted for LRN proficiency testing
using LRN BT protocols
o Attended the Orthopox Algorithm Training Seminar for Laboratory and Epidemiology,
April 2014
o Attended the Influenza Pyrosequencing Training July 2012 and received certification
o Passed Pyrosequencing quality assurance panel provided by the CDC November 2013
o Wrote procedure for Qiagen QIAsymphony® extractor
o Assisted in updating various protocols implemented in section
• Virus Culture

2. o Performed traditional virus culture testing from various specimen sources using
appropriate cell lines
o Maintained quality of inoculated cells using various approved methods
o Determined and performed appropriate DFA/IFA staining required based on CPE present
and specimen source
o Performed required QC for all reagents, media, and cell lines on a weekly or as needed
basis
o Grew culture isolates for send-outs and for preparation of in-house QC materials (i.e.
virus control stock, positive QC slides)
o Attended the Clinical Virology Symposium in Daytona Beach, FL; 2010, 2011, and
2013.
• Syphilis
o Tested of routine specimens using RPR Antigen for initial diagnosis
o Performed secondary testing using FTA slides for Syphilis confirmation
o Prepared FTA stock reagents for testing
o Quality controlled new lots of materials and reagents before implementation
• Chlamydia
o Pooled CT/GC specimens for testing on the Gen-Probe Tigris®
o Digene – Signal Amplification
 Prepared and denatured cervical swab specimens
 Ran specimens on mechanical signal amplification machine for analysis of C.
trachomatis
o Urine PCR
 Hand extracted urine specimens using Roche Amplicor® Specimen Prep Kit
 Amplified extracted specimens using Roche Amplicor® Amplification Kit and
Perkin Elmer Thermocycler
 Detected C. trachomatis by EIA methodology using Roche Amplicor® CT and
IC Detection Kits
o Analyzed and reported out positive and negative specimens of C. trachomatis to
submitting counties and clinics
• HIV
o Detected HIV-1 using EIA methodology from serum specimens for initial diagnosis
o Confirmed HIV-1 using Western Blot
o Analyzed and reported out positive and negative specimens of HIV-1 to submitting
counties and clinics
• Specimen Processing
o Processed all incoming specimens for testing for Virus Isolation, Serology, Chlamydia,
and HIV
o Aliquoted specimens into appropriate testing containers for further testing
o Notified submitters about unsatisfactory specimens and missing information
• Data and result entry
o Assisted in implementing new Harvest LIS software in Virus Isolation and Molecular
sections
o Co-wrote procedure for data transfer of results from ABI System Software into Harvest
LIS
o Used Harvest daily for tracking specimen quality and staining for Virus Isolation
o Prepared and issued final patient reports when testing was completed
• Safety Committee

3. o Attended monthly safety committee meetings
o Performed safety inspections
o Reviewed and assisted in updating safety manual annually
o Assisted in yearly safety training for OSPHL staff

4. Laboratory Technician 1, Microbiology December 2004 – September 2006
• Prepared media for simple and complex microbiological methods used for Enteric, Water, Misc.
Microbiology and Mycobacteria (TB).
• NARMS (Retail Meat) Testing
o Processed original specimen and performed primary and secondary inoculation of media
o Assisted in culturing and identifying bacteria
o Assisted in confirmation of organisms using Biolog OmniLog® system
o Isolated and froze study relevant organisms
• Tuberculosis
o Setup primary Tuberculosis specimens
o Disinfected and re-suspended pellet for further testing
o Inoculated test media
o Prepared smear slides
o Setup specimen on diagnostic equipment (MGIT) and in incubators for growth
o Quality controlled in-house prepared media
• Water Samples
o Performed water testing on drinking water and open water sources to identify fecal
coliforms
o Tested various types of water (ambient, sewage treatment plants, drinking and composts)
for fecal and non-fecal coliforms using various different assays (Colilert 18/24, QT18/24,
membrane filtration and Enterolert)
o Upheld stringent EPA standards for testing water samples
o Quality controlled media and assays used in all test methods
• Emerging Infectious Pathogens (EIP) Study
o Grew and isolated EIPs on blood or chocolate agar plates
o Froze isolates for saving and sending to the CDC
• Performed susceptibility testing on MRSA samples for confirmation of organism
• Monitored and maintained all refrigerator and freezer temps for department
• Performed data entry of patient specimens into data collection program (LITS)
ODA LABORATORY SERVICES Portland, Oregon
Oregon Department of Agriculture
Laboratory Technician – Pesticide Residue Chemistry Winter 2000 & Summer 2001
• Conducted extensive pesticide tests on produce, water, dairy and agricultural products for private
groups, DEQ and Oregon EPA (using organic chemistry methods)
• Analyzed results obtained from GC (Gas Chromatography) to be reported out
Laboratory Assistant – Microbiology Summer 2000
• Prepared media for simple and complex microbiological methods
• Lab cleanup (cleaned and autoclaved glassware, disposed of all contaminated materials)
• Carried out daily and weekly checklists to assess proper running of lab
ADDITIONAL SKILLS:

5. Computer: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), ABI System Software, Harvest LIS,
and internet based research
Laboratory: Standard Biological and Organic Chemistry practices, use of standard and advanced
laboratory equipment (extractors, PCR machines, incubators, biological safety cabinets, autoclaves, etc.)

6. Computer: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), ABI System Software, Harvest LIS,
and internet based research
Laboratory: Standard Biological and Organic Chemistry practices, use of standard and advanced
laboratory equipment (extractors, PCR machines, incubators, biological safety cabinets, autoclaves, etc.)