Elliot Mpolokang Fana
Quality Control Manager
Gaborone
Summary
A precise Quality Control Manager proficient in all QC operations, policies and procedures. Experience hiring and developing individual team members, and obtaining ISO/IEC17025: 2017 accreditation. Committed to thoroughly assessing product quality and manufacturing processes to achieve excellent results and customer satisfaction.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Quality Control Manager
Botswana Vaccine Institute
Gaborone, Botswana
9 2023 - Current
- Lead and manage strategic and operational performance of the Quality Control department.
- Ensuring the successful delivery of business strategy, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and objectives, whilst adhering to regulatory compliance and achieving commercial success
- Participated in regular management review meetings, providing updates on quality control performance and suggesting areas for improvement.
- Updated quality control standards, over 100 methods, and procedures to meet compliance requirements.
- Spearhead root cause analysis investigations when needed, determining underlying issues and recommending appropriate fixes.
- Conduct regular audits of production facilities, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations.
- Develops comprehensive training programs for new quality control team members, ensuring consistent performance across the board.
- Improved customer satisfaction with thorough final product inspections and adherence to strict quality control guidelines and ISO/IEC17025:2017 accreditation.
- Implements data-driven decision-making strategies, enabling more accurate identification of trends and areas for improvement.
- Conducts audit inspections and independent checks to verify parts and materials.
- Consistently maintains detailed records of all quality control activities for easy reference during audits or process evaluations.
- Initiates corrective actions when necessary, addressing product or process issues promptly to minimize impact on operations.
- Coordinate with engineering department to establish preventive maintenance schedules for equipment, reducing downtime due to unexpected failures or malfunctions.
- Have a system for tracking non-conformances, facilitating quick resolution and preventing future occurrences.
- Schedule and chair quality review meetings to review effectiveness of performance mitigating risk, improving throughput and achieving customer satisfaction.
- Collaborates with audit clients and action owners to apply root cause analysis guidance and establish effective corrective action plans.
- Reportes production malfunctions to managers and production supervisors.
Line Manager WOAH Global Reference FMD Laboratory
Botswana Vaccine Institute
02.2007 - 08.2023
- Planning and coordinating activities in the FMD Global Reference Laboratory, including providing timely laboratory confirmatory diagnosis of field outbreaks of FMD, executing research programs on FMD, producing and providing FMD ELISA diagnostic reagents, managing the implementation of ISO 17025, ensuring equipment and reagents availability, being a technical signatory for accredited tests, ensuring adherence to ISO/IEC 17025 standard requirements, and supervising postgraduate research students.
- Reduced employee turnover through effective communication, regular feedback, and promoting a positive work environment.
- Adapted quickly to changing industry trends, proactively identifying challenges, opportunities, and solutions for maintaining business success.
- Supported the implementation of new technologies, resulting in increased efficiency and cost savings.
- Mentored junior staff members, fostering professional development and career growth opportunities within the company.
- Increased profitability by optimizing resource allocation and reducing operational costs.
- Created detailed project plans to guide teams towards successful completion of complex assignments on time and within budget constraints.
- Cultivated an environment of teamwork by encouraging collaboration among team members from diverse backgrounds and skill sets.
- Managed a team of skilled professionals to achieve key performance indicators consistently.
- Monitored team budgets to keep projects on task and avoid waste.
Senior Forensic Scientist
Botswana Police Service
Gaborone, Botswana
01.1999 - 01.2007
- Responsible for serious crime evidence analysis, including evidence analysis and presented over 75 murder cases at High Court, and over 60 rape cases at magistrate's court.
- Trained over 150 police detectives on crime scene preservation and evidence collection.
- Carried out tests using scientific techniques and processes.
- Sifted and sorted through evidence and recorded findings.
- Attended and examined scenes of crimes.
- Carried out laboratory examinations and analysis submitted by law enforcement and examiners.
- Enhanced evidence analysis by employing advanced forensic techniques and scientific methodologies.
- Streamlined laboratory processes for increased efficiency and more accurate results.
- Contributed to validation of new forensic techniques, advancing the field of forensic science.
- Facilitated strong communication between forensic scientists, investigators, attorneys, and other stakeholders involved in case proceedings.
- Mentored junior forensic scientists, fostering a collaborative work environment and promoting professional growth.
- Ensured compliance with industry standards and regulations surrounding the handling and processing of sensitive materials.
Detective Inspector
Botswana Police Service
Gaborone, Botswana
01.1998 - 04.1999
- Case allocation monitoring, progress monitoring of investigations, recommending cases for prosecution, and conducting serious crime investigations.
- Participated in court hearings to provide written reports, evidence and verbal testimonies.
- Wrote detailed reports outlining case findings for internal files and legal purposes.
- Initiated and concluded investigations of crime organizations.
- Sent specimens to labs and ran fingerprints through databases to identify individuals of interest.
- Kept meticulous and detailed records of each case to avoid causing any problems with prosecution.
- Contributed 20% reduction in property thefts in Broadhurst policing area by implementing targeted patrols and working closely with crime analysts.
Education
Ph.D. - Molecular Biology
University of Botswana
Gaborone 04.2019 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Forensic Science (Molecular Biology, Advanced Genetics & Biochemistry)
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, Texas, USA 04.2002 - 04.2004
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences & Environmental Science
University of Botswana
Gaborone, Botswana 04.1993 - 04.1997
Skills
Strong relationship-building and people management
Communication and interpersonal etiquette
Strategic planning, time management and results oriented
Quality Management Systems
Quality processes and result oriented
Risk based thinking
Regulatory knowledge
Performance Evaluation
Operational Improvements
Understanding of the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accreditation requirement
Excellent written and verbal communication
Professionalstatus
I am a Molecular Biologist currently leading the diagnostic and research work of Food-and-Mouth Disease virus types circulating in livestock (cattle, sheep, goats & pigs) and game (buffaloes); work which employs both conventional and molecular techniques. I am a technical signatory to FMD diagnostic reports of SADCAS ISO/IEC 17025-2017 accredited tests.
Papersandpublications
- Foot-and-mouth disease virus circulation in the regional pools: Pools 4-6, 18th WOAH/FAO FMD Reference Laboratories Network Annual Meeting, 10/10/2023, Winnipeg, Canada
- Foot-and-mouth disease virus circulation in the regional pools: Pools 4-6, 17th WOAH/FAO FMD Reference Laboratories Network Annual Meeting, 11/29/2022, Lelystad, The Netherlands
- Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in sub-Saharan Africa: Diagnosis and diagnostic challenges, UNZAM Veterinary Students, 04/08/2015, Gaborone, Botswana
- Diagnosis of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) at Botswana Vaccine Institute, EU-Better Training for Safer Foods (BTST) Workshop on FMD, 12/11/2014, Gaborone, Botswana
- The situation of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in Sub-Saharan Africa with particular reference to countries of the Southern Development Community (SADC) region in 2014, OIE/FAO Foot-and-Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory Network Annual Meeting, 11/2014, Brescia, Italy
- The situation of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in Sub-Saharan Africa with particular reference to countries of the Southern Development Community (SADC) region in 2013, OIE/FAO Foot-and-Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory Network Annual Meeting, 11/14/2013, Bangkok, Thailand
- Serological survey of Foot-and-Mouth Disease virus in Buffaloes (Syncerus caffer) in Zambia, Veterinary Medicine International, Article ID 264528, 8, 2015, Sikombe, T.K.W., Mweene, A.S., Muma, J., Kasanga, C., Sinkala, Y., Banda, F., Mulumba, M., Fana, E.M., Mundia, C. and Simuunza, M., 10.1155/2015/264528
- Complete genome sequences of three African Foot-and-Mouth Disease viruses from clinical samples isolated in 2009 and 2010, Genome Announcements, 4(3), e00326-16, 2016, Van Borm, S., Roseel, T., Haegeman, A., Fana, M.E., Seoke, L., Hyera, J., Matlho, G., Vandenbussche, F. and De Clercq, K., 10.1128/genomeA.00326-16
- Genetic and antigenic characteristics of foot-and-mouth disease virus strains isolated in 2011 and 2015 in Northern Botswana, 2016 Open Session of the European Commission for the control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (EuFMD), 10/26/2016, Cascais, Lisbon, Portugal
- Outbreak investigations and molecular characterization of Foot-and-Mouth Disease virus in Niger, Transboundary Emerging Diseases, 65 (1), 146-157, 2016, Souley Kouato, B., Fana, M.E., King, D.P., Hyera, J.M.K., Knowles, N., Matlho. G., De Clercq, K., Thys, E., Marichatou, H., Issa, S. and Saegerman, C., 10.1111/tbed.12642
- Foot-and-mouth disease in Southern Ghana: Occurrence and molecular characterization of viruses circulating in cattle in Southern Ghana, Tropical Animal Health and Production, 51, 1667-1677, 2019, Teye, M.V., Sebunya, T.K., Fana, E.M., King, D.P., Seoke, L., Knowles, N., Awuni, J.A., Matlho, G. Leteane, M. and Hyera, J.M.K.
- Assessment of the sensitivity of primary cells and cell lines to the Southern African Territories (SAT) serotypes in the diagnosis of foot-and-mouth disease virus, Heliyon, 6(5), e03905, 2020, Kabelo, T., Fana, E., & Lebani, K., 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03905
- A review of foot-and-mouth disease status and control measures in Botswana, Trop. Animal Health Prod, 55 (4), Article No. 278, 2023, Kabelo, T.I., Fana, E.M., Hyera J.M. and Lebani, K., 10.1007/s11250-023-03674-5
- A TaqMan-Based RTqPCR Assay for Serotyping of Southern African Territories (SAT2) Strains of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) in Southern Africa, BMC Res Note, 10.1186/s13104-023-06586-7, 2023, Kabelo, T., Fana, E., Kesamang, M., Hyera J. and Lebani, K.
- A Five-Year Retrospective Study of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreaks in Southern Africa, 2014 to 2018, Veterinary Medicine International, 2021, 10.1155/2021/7438809, 2021, Fana, E. M., Mpoloka, S. W., Leteane, M., Seoke, L. T., Masoba, K., Mokopasetso, M., Rapharing, A., Kabelo, T., Made, P., & Hyera, J.
- Characterization of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Viruses in Zambia-Implications for the epidemiology of the Disease in southern Africa, Viruses, 13, 2195, 2021, Banda, F.; Sinkala, Y.; Mataa, L.; Lebea, P.; Sikombe, T.; Kangwa, H.L.; Fana, E.M.; Mokopasetso, M.; Wadsworth, J.; Knowles, N.J.; et al., 10.3390/v13112195
- The first detection of a serotype O foot-and-mouth disease virus in Namibia, Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 10.1111/tbed.14561, 2022, Banda, F., Shilongo, A., Hikufe, E. H., Khaiseb, S., Kabajani, J., Shikongo, B., Set, P., Kapapero, J. K., Shoombe, K. K., Zaire, G., Kabilika, W., Quan, M., Fana, E. M., Mokopasetso, M., Hyera, J. M. K., Wadsworth, J., Knowles, N. J., Nardo, A. D., & King, D. P.
- Development of two rapid lateral flow test strips for detection of foot-and-mouth disease virus SAT 1 and SAT 3, Journal of Virological Methods, 291, 10.1016/j.jviromet.2020.113967, 2021, Ming Yang, Boitumelo Mudabuka, Codey Dueck, Wanhong Xu, Kabo Masisi, Elliot M. Fana, Christopher Mpofu, Charles Nfon.
Contactdetails
Botswana Vaccine Institute, Gaborone, Botswana, 267-3912711, 267-71696114, efana@bvi.co.bw
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 08/12/1972
- Gender: Male
References
- Dr. Joseph Hyera, WOAH Manager, Botswana Vaccine Institute, 72797215, jhyera@bvi.co.bw
- Dr. Keabetswe Moagabo, Head Quality Management, Botswana Vaccine Institute, 71719566, kmoagabo@bvi.co.bw
Training
- Harmonisation of LPBE for FMD Serology, 06/26/2010, Botswana Vaccine Institute, Gaborone, Botswana
- Foot-and-Mouth Disease serology (liquid phase blocking ELISA: FAO-TCDC/TCCT Partnership Programme), 02/27/2011 - 03/02/2011, Central Veterinary Laboratory, Lusaka, Zambia
- Foot-and-Mouth Disease serology (liquid phase blocking ELISA: FAO-TCDC/TCCT Partnership Programme), 03/03/2011 - 03/05/2011, Central Veterinary Laboratory, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Foot-and-Mouth Disease serology (liquid phase blocking ELISA: FAO-TCDC/TCCT Partnership Programme), 06/27/2011 - 08/07/2011, Central Veterinary Laboratory, Lusaka, Zambia
- Foot-and-Mouth Disease serology (liquid phase blocking ELISA: FAO-TCDC/TCCT Partnership Programme), Central Veterinary Laboratory, Maputo, Mozambique
- OIE/FAO Foot-and-Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory Network Annual Meeting, 11/14/2013 - 11/15/2013, Bangkok, Thailand
- Third Global Conference of OIE Centres: Challenges and Expectations for the Future, 10/14/2014 - 10/16/2014, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- OIE/FAO Foot-and-Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory Network Annual Meeting, 11/26/2014 - 11/27/2014, Brescia, Italy
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with team of 14 in the development of Validation of test methods.
- Supervised team of 20 staff members.
- Documented and resolved out od specification products which led to improvement of product quality.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Ph.D. - Molecular Biology
University of Botswana
04.2019 - Current
Line Manager WOAH Global Reference FMD Laboratory
Botswana Vaccine Institute
02.2007 - 08.2023
Bachelor of Science - Forensic Science (Molecular Biology, Advanced Genetics & Biochemistry)
Sam Houston State University
04.2002 - 04.2004
Senior Forensic Scientist
Botswana Police Service
01.1999 - 01.2007
Detective Inspector
Botswana Police Service
01.1998 - 04.1999
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences & Environmental Science
University of Botswana
04.1993 - 04.1997
Quality Control Manager
Botswana Vaccine Institute
9 2023 - Current