For over 25 years I have been driven through my research and industry work to advance solutions for complex problems impacting health globally. Biotechnology innovation and new product development underpin some of the most impactful public health interventions in recent generations. I have been fortunate and am grateful to have contributed to some of them as part of my work developing molecular diagnostic technologies, as well as, first-in-class genetic engineering programs for health, food and environment.
EXPERTISE
Genetic, genome, and molecular engineering technologies for food and protein production
Medical diagnostics, food safety testing, and environmental threat detection
Genetic, genome, and molecular engineering of human and animal therapeutics, medicines, and vaccines
Molecular epidemiology, epidemic intelligence, environmental and public health interventions
Currently advancing and raising to further execute on R&D projects: (redirect to www.planetary-genetics.com)
Quantitative serological SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) assay for protective neutralizing antibodies
Protein production of animal-free growth factors for cultivated meats with algal expression systems
Engineering SARS-CoV-2 sewer surveillance systems and environmental testing platforms
Executed on multiple first-in-class advanced detection programs yielding FDA cleared CBER regulated blood screening and CDRH regulated medical diagnostics, including:
First HIV, HCV, HBV, and West Nile Virus molecular screening tests for safety of US blood supply
First FDA cleared combined Chlamydia/Gonorrhea amplified molecular test, eliminating the need for male genital swabbing using male/female urine specimens
Participated in technology diligence to support acquisition or internal development and deployment of novel biotechnology platforms and first-in-class products reviewed by FDA, USDA, EPA and US FWS regulators:
AquaBounty genetically engineered fish, first GE food animal approved for human consumption (salmon)
Oxitec genetically engineered insects to fight infectious disease and agricultural pests ($160M acquisition)
ViaGen cloning for food and companion animals, as well as endangered species
Trans Ova Genetics bovine reproductive technologies ($110M acquisition)
Okanagan Specialty Fruits genetically engineered non-browning apples and other fruits ($41M acquisition)
EnviroFlight alternative protein feed nutrition using insect larvae
GenVec human and animal molecular vaccine platform
Engineered cell therapy platforms
ActoGeniX (ActoBiotics™) engineered microbial human and food animal medicinal platform ($60M acquisition)
Genomatix proprietary software for promoter design for genetic and genomic engineering
ILH, formerly Codexis, protein production facility in Hungary
Intrexon’s UltraVector® platform for protein engineering and gene switches for control of protein production [microbes, plants, animals, humans]
Intrexon’s pioneering of gene-edited environmental clean-up systems for emerging contaminants of concern [e.g., 1,4-dioxane]
