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Resume of NTU, Ph.D.
Consultant
EXPERTISE AND SERVICES
Agricultural, Forest Biotechnology Expert ConsultantExpertise in biotechnology research and development with proven track record of innovation, leadership, and collaboration with a wide range of professionals including biochemists, polymer chemists, biologists, spectroscopists, computer programmers, electrical engineers, business development, and attorneys.
This consultant has extensive experience related to biotechnology, agriculture, plants, biomass, bioproducts, bioenergy, forestry, genomics, gene functional testing, gene sequence, non-destructive testing, bioimaging, scientific instrumentation, expert witness testimony, consulting, strategic planning, management, and project management
Has a proven track record in areas including product development, DNA sequence analysis, DNA cloning, biotech R&D process development, biotech commercialization, and biological materials analysis.
Developed an R&D program to create new gene-based products for forest tree species, and has expertise related to bioinformatics, molecular biology, metabolomics, gene expression, chemical properties, and phenotyping.
Additional areas of expertise include rapid analysis of chemical and physical properties of wood using pyrolysis molecular beam mass spectrometry, histochemical process for evaluation of GUS reporter gene enzyme activity in plant tissues, methods for RNA isolation and analysis from multiple stages of woody plant tissue in several tree species, and more.
This consultant's experience also includes due diligence review in dispute with collaborative partner involved review of intellectual property, laboratory and business records and cross checking with issued patents, intellectual assets in development, and billing records
PRINCIPAL INDUSTRIES SERVED
Agriculture, Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Botany, Genetics, Legal, R&D
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Botany, Biochemistry Program, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
M.S., Botany, Biochemistry and Genetics Minor, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
B.S., Biology and Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Consultant, Kevin Kennedy & Associates, Inc.
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Providing expertise in botany, biochemisty, biology and biotechnology, research and development, technical consulting, agricultural and forest biotech, gene discovery, patent infringement and intellectual property consulting, and related expertise to a wide variety of clients.
Speak to this experienced, world-class expert now.
- Call (317) 735-4904
- E-mail ntu@rapid-response-consulting.com
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Chief Scientist, biological R&D firm
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Directed internal research and development for biological applications of a revolutionary technology for non-destructive analysis of plant root systems based on low-energy x-rays. Research and development focused on integration of technology into existing industrial standard techniques for developing biotech crops. Coordinated efforts with company software engineer and electrical engineer to provide a total hardware and software solution to customers’ applications. Served as primary point of contact for customers regarding application of technology into biotechnology processes. Directed collaborative research with University and Industry partners to develop new biological applications for company technology including analysis of beneficial mycorrhizal fungi with plant roots, resistance to nematodes and corn rootworm in collaboration with biochemists, molecular biologists, geneticists, and ecologists. Directed collaborative research with University partners to develop new polymeric materials for soil-less growth of plants and nano-based coatings for growth medium in collaboration with polymer chemists. Was involved in strategic business planning related to product R&D, raising capital funding, reaching a client base. Performed intellectual property assessments of developing technology for patenting and trade secret protection strategies. Identified future customers and markets of interest (MOI) and develop strategy for reaching customers in a team with company president, business advisors, and marketing representatives. Developed commercialization plan for our flagship product. Conducted ongoing competitive business and technology intelligence campaign to keep track of market conditions and possible integration of new technology into company portfolio.
Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, Charleston Southern University, Department of Physical Sciences, Charleston, SC
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Taught courses in Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Botany
Senior Research Scientist, ArborGen, LLC, Summerville, SC
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Directed an international R&D program to create new gene-based products for forest tree species. This required coordination of the efforts of biologists, molecular biologists, chemists, biochemists, statisticians, field technicians, bioinformaticists, and providers of outside services. Oversaw development of scale-up analysis platform from small basic research effort to industrial scale involving a process from the lab bench through greenhouse and field-testing. This integrated analysis platform incorporated bioinformatics, molecular biology, metabolomics, gene expression, chemical properties, and phenotyping into a process for identifying potential biotechnology products as well as serving as the evaluation platform for gene-based products in the testing pipeline. This pipeline was capable of analyzing hundreds of genes per year in over 30,000 transgenic trees while achieving a better than 30% success rate in identifying genes with observable effects in transgenic trees.
Established a collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to develop a process for rapid analysis of chemical and physical properties of wood using pyrolysis molecular beam mass spectrometry. This process was successfully used for analysis of materials in the product development pipeline and identified genes that reliably reduced lignin content and also altered the ratio of syringyl to guaiacyl lignin ratios to create biomass feedstock with more favorable chemical composition for bioenergy applications. Developed gene-based product leads resulting in more than doubled growth rate in tree species to provide improvement productivity of biomass feedstock for bioenergy and forestry applications. Developed a histochemical process for evaluation of GUS reporter gene enzyme activity in plant tissues that reduced analysis time from two weeks to less than two days. This process was used to evaluate over 40 gene promoters in several tree species in tissue culture plantlets, greenhouse plants, and in field trials up to four years to give a comprehensive analysis of promoters for use in gene-base products. Developed methods for RNA isolation and analysis from multiple stages of woody plant tissue in several tree species. Involved in preparation of hundreds of plasmid transformation vectors using molecular cloning techniques for use in industrial scale gene testing. Initiated a collaborative project with a computer programmer and statistician to develop a database program for tracking materials through the R&D pipeline from DNA sequence to product development in field tests. Conducted ongoing competitive intelligence review related to both technology and tracking the activities of the competition and holders of critical intellectual property.
Managed collaborative research agreements between ArborGen and several industrial and university partners including US National Laboratories. Evaluated and negotiated contracts and materials transfer agreements. Developed strategic plan for developing business strategy, product development, technology integration, and evaluation of competitors. Author on several US and World patents related to gene technology. Performed patent functions including notebooks, invention disclosures, applications, drawings and claims. Provided support to patent attorneys on independent and dependant claims, royalties, licenses and infringement. Due diligence review in dispute with collaborative partner involved review of intellectual property, laboratory and business records and cross checking with issued patents, intellectual assets in development, and billing records.
Active in regular review of discoveries for intellectual property protection including patents and trade secrets. Regular review of issued patents covering technology related to company developments. Due diligence in contacting and negotiation with potential business partners, research collaborators, technology licensors, and licensees. Provided numerous evaluations of external service providers to support internal research and development. Provided consulting services for university-based research programs. Managed an annual budget of over $500,000. Served as leader of Extended Management Team that provided a means of formal communication between senior management and the PhD level project leaders in the company.
Senior Research Scientist, MeadWestvaco Corporation, Summerville, SC
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Implemented a biotechnology research program in forest tree species integrating molecular biology, bioinformatics, and gene expression analysis. Building onto existing forestry research organization, a robust program for gene discovery and testing was built to develop genetically engineered trees. Obtained US Patent for the first successful process for permanent transfer of genes into pine trees that contributed to the eventual establishment of a world-leading Forest Biotech company. Established the first field test of transgenic pine trees in the world. Identified and cloned genes for increasing the growth rate of trees using polymerase chain reaction and standard molecular biology techniques.
Provided expert report to successfully overturn an initial rejection of a US Patent showing specifically that the cited prior art did not adequately teach the claims. Negotiated materials transfer agreements for research program. Performed technology assessments related to developing business strategy. Conducted ongoing competitive intelligence review of agricultural biotechnology. Performed patent functions including notebooks, invention disclosures, applications, drawings and claims. Provided support to patent attorneys on independent and dependant claims, royalties, licenses and infringement. Strategic planning for intellectual assets including patenting, trade secrets, and licensing. Provided consulting services for university-based research programs. Served on due diligence team for evaluating potential joint venture partners in what eventually became a major worldwide forest biotechnology company.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
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Consulting:
Technical consultant for microarray technology, ArrayXpress, Raleigh, NC
Project reviewer, Genome Canada
Project reviewer for Competition III Interim Review. Performed technical review of several genomics-based projects.
Technical consultant, Phenotype Screening Corporation, Seymour, TN
Technical consultant and advisor for integration of technology with industrial R&D processes.
FORBIRC Project, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Provided research management and technical advice for project directed to altering the chemical composition of lignin in forest trees for improving the pulping process.
Agenda 2020 Sustainable Forestry Task Group, American Forest and Paper Association, Atlanta, GA Meeting
Review of Agenda 2020 sponsored projects.
Scientific Advisory Board member, Arborea Forest Genome Project, Laval University, Quebec, Canada
Genesis Research and Development, Auckland, New Zealand
Assisted in directing the research program related to collaborative research with ArborGen.
Professional Master of Science program, U of South Carolina Columbia
Assisted in development of a new degree program to prepare students in the skills needed by the growing biotechnology industry in South Carolina.
Forest Biotechnology Coop, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Provided research management and technical advice for project directed to altering the chemical composition of lignin in forest trees for improving the pulping process.
Forest Biotech Project, Inst. of Paper Science and Technology, Atlanta, GA
Provided research management and technical advice for project directed to improving the process for production of clonal pine trees from superior stock.
HONORS AND AWARDS
USDA National Needs Fellowship in Biotechnology
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
South Carolina Biomass Council, Feedstock Committee
Southern Bioenergy, Southern Germplasm Working Group
American Society for the Advancement of Science
PUBLICATIONS
Inventor holding several U.S. and World patents. Published author of technical publications in areas related to gene-based improvement of agricultural crops for biomass and bioenergy production as well as implementation industrial research and development pipelines. Invited speaker at several international symposia.
Please note that this is an abbreviated CV. A fully detailed unabridged CV is available under special circumstances.
Read articles by this associate:
Southern Pine DNA Transfer Patent Approval
Joint Venture Intellectual Property Dispute
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Kevin Kennedy & Associates, Inc.
Rapid Response Engineering® Solutions
3905 Vincennes Road, Suite 320
Indianapolis, Indiana 46268
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