ROXANNE FRASER
MAINZ,GERMANY
Summary
PhD candidate in evolutionary genomics with interdisciplinary research experience in molecular biology and bioinformatics. I have over one year of experience working in an biosafety level S3 laboratory environment as a technician supporting HIV and SARS-CoV-2 antibody research, as well as prior experience as a research assistant in a high-throughput COVID-19 diagnostics laboratory. I am highly motivated to apply this combined experimental and analytical background to translational research in viral vectors, vaccine development, and immune characterisation.
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Research Technician (Virology/Immunology)
Queen Mary University of London (QMUL)
2021.04 - 2022.08
- Supported virology research projects focused on coronavirus and HIV, contributing to experimental delivery in a collaborative university research environment.
- Worked in a Containment Level 3 (CL3 / BSL-3) setting, consistently following strict biosafety procedures, risk awareness, and SOP-driven workflows.
- Performed and supported core immunology and molecular workflows including protein purification, various mammalian cell culture techniques, cell transfection (FuGENE-6), infectivity assays, antibody-based assays, Western blotting, and site-directed mutagenesis.
- Maintained high-quality experimental documentation (accurate recording, traceable results, organised data handling) to enable reproducibility and efficient communication within the team and to external collaborators.
- Managed day-to-day BSL3 lab organisation and safety, including routine hazard checks, autoclave workflow and decontamination processes, and proactive monitoring of consumables, stock levels, and reagent expiry dates to maintain uninterrupted project delivery.
Medical Laboratory Assistant (COVID-19 Diagnostics)
Health Services Laboratories (HSL)
2020.09 - 2021.03
- Performed extraction-free SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR testing in a high-throughput diagnostic workflow processing up to ~10,000 samples/day.
- Worked effectively in a fast-paced, quality-critical environment, supporting timely reporting through careful time management and coordination with supervisors.
- Supported training of less experienced colleagues by providing guidance on PCR workflows and good laboratory practice.
- Took initiative to develop additional responsibilities, including routine safety checks and basic maintenance of laboratory equipment, including Class II microbiological safety cabinets.
Education
PhD - Evolutionary Genomics
Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität (JGU)
Mainz, Germany 2022.01 - 2026.02
MSc - Medical Genomics
London Metropolitan University
United Kingdom 2019.01 - 2020.01
BSc (Hons) - Biomedical Science
Edinburgh Napier University
United Kingdom 2014.01 - 2018.01
Skills
- Practical experience working with live airborne and blood-borne viruses
- Pseudovirus-based assays
- Antibody-based assays
- Infectivity assays
- Collaboration with hospital partners in the collection of clinical samples linked to emerging coronavirus infections
- Safe handling of infectious material in accordance with biosafety procedures
- RNA/DNA extraction
- PCR and qPCR techniques
- Gel electrophoresis
- Protein purification
- Western blotting
- Cell transfection (FuGENE-6)
- Site-directed mutagenesis
- Mammalian cell culture techniques
- Quality, Safety & Organisation
- CL3/BSL-3 experience
- SOP-driven workflows
- Data integrity and traceable record keeping
- Inventory and expiry monitoring
- Autoclave and decontamination workflows
Virology & Immunology
Molecular & Laboratory
- Laboratory organisation and hazard awareness
- R, Python, Linux/Unix, Bash
- Snakemake
- Git (GitHub/GitLab)
- RNA-seq analysis
- Functional enrichment / GO analysis
- Orthology inference / ortholog mapping
- HPC / cluster computing
- Data handling and visualisation
- Statistical analysis
- Animal care
- Optimisation of RNA extraction protocols, sexing and dissection methods
- Field-based sample collection of termites
- Native English speaker
- German A11 (currently studying A12)
- First Aid Certificate – Institute First Aid Responder (Ersthelfer/in)
Computational & Bioinformatics
Additional Research Experience
Languages & Certifications
PUBLICATIONS
- Fraser, R., Moraa, R., Djolai, A., Meisenheimer, N., Laube, S., Vicoso, B., & Huylmans, A. K. (2024). Evidence for a Novel X Chromosome in Termites. Genome Biology and Evolution, 16(12). https://doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evae265
- Fraser, R., Meisenheimer, N., & Huylmans, A.K. Gene expression of castes and sexes in European Reticulitermes termites. Manuscript in Preparation.
- Moraa, R., Julseth, M., Fraser, R., Preuß, M., McMahon, D., & Huylmans, A.K. Low sex chromosome differentiation and many structural rearrangements in European Reticulitermes termites. Manuscript in Preparation.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
- 2022 - 2026 Undergraduate Supervision
- Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität (JGU) Mainz, Germany
- Primary supervisor for 4 bachelor’s thesis students, providing project guidance, regular meetings, and feedback on written work and data interpretation.
- Co-supervised 2 bachelor’s thesis students, providing hands-on training in molecular techniques (RNA / DNA extraction, PCR and gel electrophoresis) and supporting experimental planning and analysis.
- Supervisor for 1 Erasmus student during a 12-week research internship, delivering day-to-day mentorship and training.
- 2023 - 2024 Bioinformatics Practical Instructor
- RNA-seq / Differential Gene Expression workshop
- Supervised and supported ~20 undergraduate students during a 4-week bioinformatics practical course (daily 4-hour sessions).
- Guided students through hands-on differential gene expression analysis workflows, supporting troubleshooting, progress, and interpretation of results during practical sessions.
ACADEMIC SERVICE
- Peer review
- Evolution Letters - Co-reviewer with PI (manuscript on sex-biased gene expression and sexual dimorphism)
- Genome Biology and Evolution - Invited reviewer (2 rounds; major revision)
Affiliations
- Travel Grant (500€) from Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz (JGU) to attend and present at the IUSSI Conference (Lausanne, Switzerland, 2024)
- Memberships, Microbiology Society (2022-2023) & Biochemical Society (2020 – present)
REFERENCES
- Ann-Kathrin, Huylmans, Jun.-Prof. Dr., a-huylmans@uni-mainz.de, +49 6131 39 22630, Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Mainz, Germany, Institut für Organismische und Molekulare Evolutionsbiologie
- Áine, McKnight, Prof. Dr., a.mcknight@qmul.ac.uk, +44 207882 2314, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom, Genomics and Child Health Department
Timeline
PhD - Evolutionary Genomics
Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität (JGU)
2022.01 - 2026.02
Research Technician (Virology/Immunology)
Queen Mary University of London (QMUL)
2021.04 - 2022.08
Medical Laboratory Assistant (COVID-19 Diagnostics)
Health Services Laboratories (HSL)
2020.09 - 2021.03
MSc - Medical Genomics
London Metropolitan University
2019.01 - 2020.01
BSc (Hons) - Biomedical Science
Edinburgh Napier University
2014.01 - 2018.01