Supporting the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP)United States Army Medical Research Development Command (USAMRDC)

Advisor/consultant for genomics/genetics research in the biomedical sciences. Manuscript preparation, editing, and review consultation. Evaluation services for grant applications, cooperative agreements, and contracts. Expert consultation services for program implementation and management, budgeting, personnel utilization, productivity, and scientific direction. Provide direction for clinical trials and research programs in the life sciences.

Developed research protocols and informed consent documents to establish a biospecimen repository for molecular research in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome; wrote standard operating procedures for bloodborne pathogen safety, chemical safety, data security and integrity, environmental and fire safety, laboratory hazards, personal protective equipment, and safety and emergency response; developed operational budgets and statements of work for biomolecular and genomic research; established a genomics and proteomics framework to facilitate state-of-the-art biomedical research and molecular science; continued high-profile publication record in cardiovascular disease research.

Established a clinical genetics testing laboratory for medication management; supervised laboratory personnel; wrote operational and safety policies for CLIA certification; developed all standard operating procedures for genetic testing, sample acquisition and preservation, genotype determinations, data security and integrity, and dissemination of results to patients and physicians; served as administrator and liaison for business partners and scientific collaborators; formulated action plan for clinical implementation of research discoveries; successfully translated research discoveries into clinical action to improve patient quality of life; published 13 scientific publications on the genomics of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer in peer-reviewed journals; presented 4 podium presentations and posters on the genomics of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer at national scientific meetings; served as a peer reviewer for numerous scientific journals; further developed excellent oral and written communication skills, networking and management skills, strategic thinking and problem solving abilities, superior judgement and insight, and a strategic and creative approach to project completion.

As Principal Investigator, directed cardiovascular disease lifestyle intervention, which focused on CVD prevention and risk reduction; improved patient quality of life through lifestyle changes and identified beneficial molecular changes during cardiovascular disease reversal; supervised and managed a staff of 12 genomics laboratory technicians, statisticians, and clinical researchers including nurses, dietitians, and psychologists; conducted genetics research on cardiovascular disease reversal; published 37 scientific publications on the genomics of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer in peer-reviewed journals; presented 50 podium presentations and posters on the genomics of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer at national scientific meetings; developed and managed operational budgets, secured and managed more than $20 million in research funding through the Department of Defense; wrote research protocols and informed consent documents for Institutional Review Board approval; served on the Windber Medical Center IRB; implemented human subjects protections; served as a peer reviewer for numerous scientific journals; promoted to Chief Clinical Applications Officer in 2014 to lead translational research.

Established a genetics research laboratory to investigate the molecular aspects of breast cancer, including intratumor heterogeneity, tumor progression, metastasis, and the influence of environmental chemicals on breast cancer development; recruited, trained, and managed laboratory research staff; developed laboratory protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for genomic research; promoted to Senior Director in 2003 to lead cardiovascular research initiative.

As a Research Geneticist (GS-14) at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, I served as the Scientific Program Officer for the Bogalusa Heart Study and the Insulin Resistance and Atherosclerosis Study. I designed, executed, and managed large nationwide studies focusing on the genetics of complex diseases. I planned and evaluated research activities, grants and awards, cooperative agreements, and contracts for various studies; made site visits to the Framingham Heart Study, Tulane University and Wake Forrest University; served on the Steering Committee and Data Safety and Monitoring Board (DSMB) for the Bogalusa Heart Study and the Insulin Resistance and Atherosclerosis Study; served as an instructor in the NIH graduate school; taught a course on the genetics of complex diseases to administrative staff in the Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications; wrote Requests for Applications (RFAs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for genetics research initiatives; assisted researchers with grant applications (RO1s); wrote contracts; assisted in the design, execution, and management of large nationwide studies focusing on the genetics of complex diseases.