Alicia Branch has over 15 years of experience in laboratory quality assurance and management. She has a PhD in Biomedical Science and expertise in areas such as molecular and cellular biology techniques, microbiology, infectious disease, and serology testing. Her professional experience includes positions at the CDC, Quintiles, and Morehouse School of Medicine where she developed standard operating procedures, conducted audits, ensured regulatory compliance, and managed laboratory operations and staff. She has authored several publications in peer-reviewed journals.

1. ALICIA G. BRANCH, PHD
Lithonia, GA 30058 770.910.2625
www.linkedin.com/in/aliciagbranchphd drabranch08@yahoo.com
LABORATORY QUALITY ASSURANCE SCIENTIST
Budget Development & Management | Regulatory Compliance | Client Relations
Goal-driven technically proficient Clinical / Basic Scientist and Project Manager with extensive biomedical experience
in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments focused on continued advanced therapeutic areas and disease states.
Leader in the execution quality review and measurement of laboratory functions involved in environmental response,
biological testing or other related science research applications and activities. Implement quality and regulatory testing
compliance and dedicated analytical problem-solver with system effectiveness, products and testing results.
Areas of expertise:
− Molecular Cellular Biology Techniques − Laboratory Trainer and Instructor
− Laboratory Auditor − Select Agent and Biological Safety
− Microbiology, Infectious Disease and Serology
Testing, Reproductive Health and Oncology
− Grant and Proposal Writing/Review
JOB-RELATED TRAINING AND COMPLIANCE
Select Agent Laboratory Drill Training; Select Agent Certificate; Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical
Laboratories BSL 1-3; Bloodborne Pathogens; Blood Banking; Safety Survival Skills; ICH/GCP/GMP/GLP; QA/QC; SOP;
IRB; Dual Use Research of Concern; Radiation and Biohazard Laboratory Safety Training; ACUC approved training in
Animal Care, Surgery and Handling Safety Training; CLIA/FDA regulated environments; SAS/ StarLIMS: Clinical and
Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) Laboratory Quality Management Systems (LQMS) Certified
EDUCATION
− PhD, Biomedical Science, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
− Master of Science (MS), Biology, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
− Bachelor of Science (BS), Biology, Rust College, Holly Springs, MS
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
• Ten plus years of project management and study design
• Development of patient enrollment criteria
• Preparation and collaboration with staff on standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Monitor of patient sample collection, laboratory and laboratory testing
• Processing of Incoming Biological Samples
• Experience working with quality systems in a regulated environment, including FDA, CLIA, GMP and GLP
• Participate in external and internal audits, quality assurance/control (QA/QC)
• Report on team performance against contract, customer expectations, and project baselines to management
• Prepared and presented study-specific materials and services to Clinical Research Associates (CRA) and Key
Opinion Leaders (KOLs)

2. ALICIA R. BRANCH drabranch08@yahoo.com PAGE TWO
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
KARNA LLC, Atlanta, GA 2015 – Present
Division Safety Officer, CDC Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases
Provide support of programmatic and scientific activities, as well as interact with safety and quality specialist from
other divisions to form a community of practice to leverage implementation of best practices in biosafety and QMS.
• Facilitate incorporation of SOP and job aid in best safety practice for submitting a near miss event, competency
assessment and created QMS training presentation for scientist training in the fields.
• Assist with, conduct, and develop program and facility reviews and inspections, risk assessments, safety incident
investigations, root cause analysis and corrective actions.
Senior Quality Management Specialist, CDC NCIRD Quality Management 2015 – 2016
Serve as a consultant and senior advisor for laboratory Quality Management System (QMS), reviewer for the NCIRD
BSL-3 Online Training Courses, regulatory requirements and national and international standards.
• Developed document steps for Emergency Use Authorization and 510(k) FDA submission. These documents will
expedite the submission process during emergency outbreaks and devices to protect the public health.
• Assisted in the creation of QMS Online Training for center laboratory personnel. Eliminating the need to purchase
external costly training for center laboratory personnel.
QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL, Marietta, GA 2013 – 2015
Lab Project Setup Manager, Project Services
Developed and audit laboratory database design requirements for phase I-IV clinical trials.
• Performed regular audits of laboratory configuration specifications (project specific kit contents, laboratory testing
and events, requisitions, and medical reports), programming for full protocols and amendments, successfully
launching clinical studies and meeting aggressive times-lines.
• Prepared and presented study-specific materials and services at Investigator, Kick-off and Bid Defense meetings,
explaining how to collect and ship samples correctly for testing.
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL, Atlanta, GA 2009 – 2013
Microbiologist, Immunology and Pathogenesis Branch, Influenza Division
Performed non-research biological science work or biological science support work in planning, organizing, directing
and conducting research into viral influenza related to emergency response of the H1N1 Pandemic and select agent
Avian influenza virus.
• Planned and executed studies, test procedures, and related activities in support of work of programs or individual
biological scientists, completing testing load of sera samples in BSL-2 and 3 enhanced laboratories.
• Developed and validated biological assay systems including ELISA and neutralization tests (Hemagglutinin and
Microneutralization Assays) and associated analytical software (SAS, StarLIMS), resulting in protocol standards
for World Health Organization (WHO) and numerous publications.
• Created and prepared several standard operation procedures (SOPs), resulting in successfully improved laboratory
safety inspections, compliance, and risk assessments.
MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, Atlanta, GA 1998 – 2009
Laboratory Manager, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Managed and coordinated operational policies and procedures; coordinated with research staff on issues which impact
laboratory experiments; preparation of journal publications, proposals and grant applications.
• Maintained quality checks on safety of laboratories, including biohazards and insure maintenance of facilities
according to Good Laboratory Practices.
• Formulated and implemented short and long-range goals for operation of laboratories; set priorities, assigned
responsibilities, and established timetables. Projected future needs and formulated strategies consistent with
projections.

3. ALICIA R. BRANCH drabranch08@yahoo.com PAGE THREE
• Planned and scheduled work for group to ensure proper distribution of assignments as well as adequate staffing,
space, and facilities for subsequent performance of duties.
• Managed and coordinated activities of research project(s) with responsibility for results in terms of costs, methods,
and staffing. Coordinated and supervised performance of routine and specialized technical procedures of multiple
projects.
• Provided guidance to Principle Investigator with regards to hiring, training, promotions, and disciplinary issues for
technical personnel.
PREVIOUS POSITIONS HELD
MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, Jackson, MS
Microbiologist, Hematology
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER, Jackson, MS
Research Assistant, Department of Physiology and Biophysics
RUST COLLEGE, Holly Springs, MS
Student Research Assistant, Cell and Molecular Biology Lab, Department of Biology

4. ALICIA R. BRANCH drabranch08@yahoo.com PAGE FOUR
ADDENDUM
PUBLICATIONS
− Suryaprasad A, Redd JT, Hancock K, Branch A, Steward-Clark E, Katz JM, Fry AM, Cheek JE; Influenza Serology
Working Group; American Indian and Alaska Native Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Investigation Team. Severe
acute respiratory infections caused by 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) among American Indians--southwestern
United States, May 1-July 21, 2009. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2013 Nov; 7(6):1361-9. doi:
10.1111/irv.12123. Epub 2013 May 30.
− Kumar Alagappan, Robert A. Silverman, Kathy Hancock, Mary Frances Ward, Meredith Akerman, Fatimah S.
Dawood, Alicia Branch, Sandra De Cicco, Evelene Steward-Clark, Megan McCullough, Karen Tenner, and
Jacqueline M. Katz. Seropositivity for Influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 Virus among Frontline Health Care Personnel.
Emerging Infectious Diseases Volume 19, Number 1 – January 2013.
− Fry AM, Hancock K, Patel M, Gladden M, Doshi S, Blau DM, Sugerman D, Veguilla V, Lu X, Noland H, Bai Y, Maroufi
A, Kao A, Kriner P, Lopez K, Ginsberg M, Jain S, Olsen SJ, Katz JM; Influenza Serology Working Group - Schiffer
J, Aranio D, Branch A, Dong L, Holiday C, Liu F, Steward-Clark E, Sun H, Tsang B, Wang D, Whaley M, Bai Y,
Cronin L, Browning P, Dababneh H, Thomas L, Foster L, Quinn C, Soroka S. The first cases of 2009 pandemic
influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in the United States: a serologic investigation demonstrating early transmission.
Influenza Other Respi Viruses. 2012 May; 6(3):e48-53.
− Branch, Alicia, Vic Veguilla, Eric Gillis, Carrie Reed, Heather Noland, Leilani Thomas, Peter Browning, Amanda
Balish, Alicia Fry, Nancy Cox, Jacqueline Katz, Kathy Hancock. Antibodies Cross-Reactive to Influenza A (H3N2)
Variant Virus and Impact of 2010-11 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine on Cross-Reactive Antibodies - United States.
MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report U.S. Government Printing Office High Beam Research April 13,
2012.
− Matt Biggerstaff, Lynnette Brammer, Alicia Branch, Scott Epperson, Lyn Finelli, Rahul Ganatra, Karen Wong et
al. Outbreak of Novel Influenza A (H3N2) Variant Virus Infection Among Attendees of an Agricultural Fair,
Pennsylvania, 2011 Emerging Infectious Diseases.
− Chowdhury I, Branch A, Olatinwo M, Thomas K, Matthews R, Thompson WE. 2011 Prohibitin (PHB) acts as a
potent survival factor against ceramide induced apoptosis in rat granulosa cells. Life Sci. 2011 Aug 29; 89(9-
10):295-303.
− Veguilla V, Hancock K, Schiffer J, Gargiullo P, Lu X, Aranio D, Branch A, Dong L, Holiday C, Liu F, Steward-Clark
E, Sun H, Tsang B, Wang D, Whaley M, Bai Y, Cronin L, Browning P, Dababneh H, Noland H, Thomas L, Foster L,
Quinn CP, Soroka SD, Katz JM. 2011 Sensitivity and Specificity of Serologic Assays for Detection of Human
Infection with 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Virus in U.S. Populations J Clin Microbiol 49(6):2210-5.
− Thompson WE, Asselin E, Branch A, Stiles JK, Sutoysky P, Lai L, Im G-S, Prather RS, Isom SC, Rucker III E,
Tsang B 2004 Regulation of prohibitin expression during follicular development and atresia in the mammalian
ovary. Biol Reprod 71:282-290.
− Thompson WE, Branch A, Whittaker JA, Lyn D, Zilberstein M, Mayo KE, Thomas K 2001 Characterization of
prohibitin in a newly established rat ovarian granulosa cell line. Endocrinology142:4076-4085.
− J.F. Reckelhoff, B.S. Hennington, A.G. Moore et al., 1998 Gender differences in renal NO system: dissociation
between expression of endothelial NO synthase and renal hemodynamic response to NO synthase inhibition. Am
J Hypertens 11:97–104.