Michael Rouse, Ph.D. Email & Phone Number

Bethesda, Maryland, United States

• Direct and manage a high-performing accredited (GCLP/CAP/CLIP) molecular biology/immunology laboratory (SC2i Core) and laboratory science and operations across a 7-institute translational research consortium.
• Provide strategic leadership and project management to optimize workflows and collaboration to drive the identification of biomarkers and clinical parameters to enhance outcomes in complex clinical decision making.
• Serve as high-level thought partner with organizational VPs, CEOs, and Presidents for product development and programmatic strategy to fortify client goals and objectives.
• Provide strategic vision to optimize financial and operational efficiency for biomarker and therapeutic discovery, ensuring regulatory compliance (FDA, federal, ISO, IFU) to accelerate product development
• Collaborate with discovery, preclinical, and clinical product development teams as scientific advisor, ensuring strategic alignment across project portfolios
• Lead and advise the design and development of multi-omic workflows to create Laboratory Developed Tests (LDTs) and Clinical Decision Support Tools (CDSTs) for translational and clinical research and diagnostics.

United States

• Lead and facilitate the development of biomarker-driven Clinical Decision Support Tools (CDSTs), such as advanced analytics, machine learning, and precision medicine diagnostics
• Lead SC2i's molecular core laboratory to become Good Clinical Laboratory Practices (GCLP), College of American Pathologists (CAP) accredited and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Program (CLIP) registered.
• Support SC2i under the Department of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Services (USUHS) and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC)
• Drive clinical research towards improving clinical outcomes and mitigating costs throughout the continuum of surgical care
• Lead a clinical research team to identify biomarkers and conditions that help maximize outcomes across any discipline requiring complex medical decision making, including surgery, critical care, emergency medicine.
• Develop, qualify, and validate Laboratory Developed Tests (LDTs) that are intended to be translated to clinical diagnostics, which include proteomic, transcriptomic, molecular/cellular, and immunological methodology

Naval Medical Research Center: Wound Infections Department

• Spearheaded a multi-project Immunology Division as Principal Investigator, securing $14M+ in funding to propel advances in critical care.
• Increased departmental funding by 400%, enabling accelerated product development and translational research.
• Directed IND-enabling research, advancing novel wound care therapies through development phases towards clinical trials and FDA approval.
• Oversaw successful research initiatives, driving product development, investor outreach, and strategic budgeting.
• Forged 25+ collaborative partnerships across the biomedical research landscape, both domestically and internationally.
• Enhance and established preclinical paradigm to comprehensively evaluate novel therapeutics for activity, PK/PD, dosage, mode of delivery, and product advancement

Baltimore, Maryland Area

• Enhanced post-doctoral engagement and development as NIA Felcom representative, organizing career programs and research symposia.
• Championed diversity and inclusion by launching new scientific programs (Shock Academy, Diversity in Aging Pipeline), fostering skill-building and representation.
• Oversaw collaborative research projects (NIH, FDA, academia), driving scientific progress and managing multi-sector partnerships.
• Guaranteed research integrity through SOP development and rigorous preclinical drug development workflows.
• Communicated research findings effectively through international presentations, publications, and scientific reports.

Columbia, South Carolina Area

• Propelled preclinical drug development for inflammation/autoimmune therapeutics, driving innovation with two filed therapeutic patents.
• Demonstrated drug discovery excellence, recognized by the USC Graduate Student Day Award and Society of Toxicology Emil A. Pfitzer Award.
• Selected for the prestigious Nobel Laureates meeting, collaborating with international peers and Nobel Laureates to assess knowledge gaps in various scientific fields
• Authored four first-author publications and secured an NIH Pre-doctoral Fellowship, showcasing research and grant-writing capabilities.
• Assessed drug candidates in mouse models, evaluating pharmacological, toxicological, and immunogenic effects to inform development strategies.

Charlottesville, Virginia Area

• Led preclinical development of novel therapeutics for inflammation, type I diabetes, and kidney disease clinical applications.
• Evaluated drug for therapeutic activity, PK/PD, toxicological, and immunogenic profiles.
• Ensured product safety and research rigor by developing new SOPs, including vascular permeability assays.
• Analyzed rodent models for physiological and metabolic changes, informing drug development strategies.
• Collaborated with academic partners on the evaluation of adenosine and sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor agonists/antagonists, expanding research scope.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Biomedical Sciences, Immunology

Master Of Science (Ms), Biological And Physical Sciences

Bachelor'S Degree, Biochemistry And Molecular Biology

• Meyerhoff Scholar and MARC U* STAR Scholar • Served as a mentor and counselor during Meyerhoff Scholarship Program Summer Bridge • ASBMB.