Sandra Ramirez-Arcos
MSc, PhD, ARMCCM
Senior scientist
Other Titles/Affiliations:
Adjunct professor, University of Ottawa
Research areas
- microbiology
- blood product and bacterial contamination
- bacterial biofilm formation
- bloodborne bacteria
- Staphylococcus
Related Links
Brief biography
Dr. Ramirez-Arcos completed her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Microbiology in Colombia and then conducted PhD studies in Biological Sciences in Spain. From 1998 to 2002, she worked as a post-doctoral Training and Research Associate at the University of Ottawa. In 2003, Dr. Ramirez-Arcos joined Canadian Blood Services where she currently holds a Senior Scientist position. She is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Ottawa.
Studies conducted under the supervision of Dr. Ramirez-Arcos have advanced knowledge and provided evidence-based data to improve processes and products at Canadian Blood Services, enhancing transfusion patient safety. Her work has generated over 90 peer-reviewed publications, with some being highlighted in the Washington Post, journal editorials, AABB SmartBrief News, and ABC Newsletters.
R&D studies of major impact include the change of the 30-min rule for red blood cells and plasma to a 60-min rule, which received recognition by the ISBT with the Best Paper Prize of Vox Sanguinis in 2013.
Research interests
Dr. Sandra Ramirez-Arcos and her team focuses on bacterial contamination of platelet concentrates which poses a significant post-transfusion infectious risk. Donated platelets are susceptible to bacterial proliferation, due to their storage conditions in a nutrient-rich environment at ambient temperatures. The predominant bacteria present in platelet concentrates are commensal inhabitants of the human skin and are likely introduced at the time of blood collection. In 2007, Dr. Ramirez-Arcos’ group was the first to report that skin flora bacteria form surface-attached communities of matrix-embedded cells, known as biofilms, during storage of platelet concentrates with potential clinical implications for transfusion patients. Recent studies have focused on the molecular modulation that bacteria undergo when growing in platelet concentrates.
Dr. Ramirez-Arcos' lab has also led several activities supporting changes at Canadian Blood Services, which include providing evidence to change blood donor skin disinfection protocols and implement processes such as platelet screening for bacterial contamination. Her future studies will explore survival of spirochetes and tickborne bacteria during blood component storage.
Other appointments
- Member, editorial board of the peer-reviewed journal Annals of Blood, January 2024–December 2025.
- Member, reviewer, editorial board of the peer-reviewed journal, Frontiers in Microbiology, since February 2023.
- Member, editorial board of the peer-reviewed journal, Vox Sanguinis, since January 2022.
- Member, editorial board of the peer-reviewed journal, ISBT Science Series, January 2019–June 2021.
Awards
- Vox Sanguinis Best paper prize for best original article published in Vox Sanguinis in 2013, the International Society of Blood Transfusion, 2014