WADB Team
The WA DNA Bank is currently run by a Manager and three Laboratory Officers, all of whom work closely with the Bioinformatics team of the Western Australian Genetic Epidemiology Resource (WAGER).
WADB Manager
Dr Marion Macnish
Dr Macnish worked as a Veterinary Nurse for 10 years before completing a BSc in Medical Science with Honours at Curtin University of Technology in 1994. Prior to commencing a PhD on the molecular epidemiology of a human parasitic tapeworm Marion was a Professional Officer at Murdoch University for a health promotion project conducted in the Kimberley region for two years. After completing her thesis Marion undertook 'commercial in confidence' post doctoral research to develop a vaccine for the control of the ectoparasitic flea in companion animals. A change of direction occurred in 2005 and Marion became a Senior Project Officer with the Australian Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre for Emerging Infectious Disease where she provided project support to the Application & Linkage and the Education & Training programs. Marion commenced as the Manager of the WA DNA Bank in June 2006 and also provides secretarial support to the Management Committee.
WADB Laboratory Officers
Simone Dowd
Simone graduated from Curtin University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Genetics. She went on to complete a Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science at the University of Western Australia in 2004, after which she joined PathWest as a Research Assistant. Simone now works with the WA DNA Bank full time, although she is still based within PathWest.
Sandra Dennis
Sandra joined the WA DNA Bank in early 2007. Prior to this she spent 3 years working as a Laboratory Assistant in the Biochemistry Department at PathWest.
Maxine Dennis
Maxine graduated from Curtin University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science (Medical Science) with Honours. She began working with the WA DNA Bank at the beginning of 2008, whilst also working towards the completion of her PhD thesis which was submitted in October 2008.
Former WADB Staff
Laura Greenwood
Laura completed her Bachelor of Health Science majoring in Biomedical Science in 2005, and then went on to work as a Microbiology Laboratory Assistant at Western Diagnostics Pathology. She worked in the WA DNA Bank from late 2006 until late 2008, when she left to take up a permanent position in PathWest.
