Laboratory Services

Karen Simpson Manager, Laboratory Services		Phil Thomas Manager Inorganic Chemistry Services
Karen first joined the AWQC in 1987, as a Summer Research Scholarship student involved in disinfection by-product research. She has over 19 years experience in the water industry, having been engaged in various scientific and leadership roles spanning research, analytical, method development, consultancy, business performance, strategic planning and quality management fields. As Manager Laboratory Services, Karen is focused on driving service and technical excellence across the AWQC to support the water industry in the delivery and assurance of water quality and public health.		Phil has over 30 years experience in the field of analytical chemistry. As Manager Inorganic Chemistry Services, he has the responsibility for coordinating the provision of analytical services for metal, nutrient, physical and wastewater testing. A strong emphasis is on improving turnaround time for customers while maintaining a quality service. Phil also has considerable expertise in the field of interpreting and assessing data. He has contributed to a number of water quality assessment reports for clients including Catchment Boards, SA Water Corporation and Environment Protection Agency.
Allan Twinch Manager Business Services		Peter Baker Manager Biology Services
Following a period of research studies, Allan spent many years in the operational area of water utilities in South Africa. He joined the AWQC in 2002 to look after the water quality interests of our major customers. More recently he has taken on the challenging role of Manager Business Services looking after all systems that support the AWQC business from Laboratory Information Management Systems to ISO9001 quality systems and many more. With carriage for the Customer Service Team Allan is focussed on ensuring an integrated approach across our business for all activities.		Peter Baker has over 15 years experience in algal monitoring research at AWQC. He is currently the Senior Biologist in charge of the Biology Operational Laboratory and has the responsibility of coordinating the provision of routine monitoring services for phytoplanton in a range of freshwaters, marine and estuarine systems. His duties encompass a professional input to analytical, research and advisory services on phytoplankton with an emphasis on the monitoring and management of problem organisms that may impair water quality, such as toxic cyanobacteria.
Warwick Grooby Manager Microbiology Services		Qiong Huang Manager Organic Chemistry Services
Warwick has over 20 years experience in both analytical and research Microbiology and Immunology. Warwick joined the AWQC in 1999 where he was initially involved in the development of rapid methods for the detection of Cryptosporidium and Giardia . As Manager Microbiology Services, Warwick leads the operational activities of the routine Bacteriology , Protozoology and Product Testing laboratories in the Microbiology Unit at the AWQC. In this role Warwick has a focus on the implementation of new technology including automated colony counters and rapid molecular biology assays to improve services for customers.		Qiong has over 12 years experience with organic chemistry analysis and has been with the AWQC for almost ten years managing the implementation of new organic methods into an operational environment and more recently the management of all operational organic chemistry services. Her achievements include the operationalisation of a method for Cylindrospermopsin toxin in water and in scum, atrazine and its metabolites in water, Caulerpenyne in seagrass, Fipronil and its metabolites in water and many more. Qiong continues to focus on method development and automation as means of improving customer service.
Lorraine Gladman Team Leader Field Laboratory Services		Borjana Stazic-Mandic Team Leader Account Management
Lorraine joined the AWQC in 2008 with over 20 years experience in laboratories with a focus on service to customers and managing teams to deliver high quality results and services. In her role Lorraine is focused on delivering a consistently high service for sampling and testing in the field, for routine monitoring and incident management across the state. The AQWC is one of the few businesses holding NATA and ISO Accreditation for water sampling and field testing.		Borjana joined the AWQC in 1999 as part of the Analytical Quality Control Team. Having spent considerable time with internal and external customers focussing on the quality of not just analyses but also processes, Borjana was well placed to take on the challenge of leading the newly created Account Management team which looks after all major customers with extensive monitoring programs. Her focus is to modify business practices to ensure we continue to strive for customer service excellence.