Pfizer, Inc. Research Scientist (1988-1992). Head of Plant Cell Culture/Corn Transformation
Research team developed first genetically modified corn plants. Directed project to develop appropriate cell culture, gene transfer and selection system for transformation of corn. (US Patents 5,489,520 and 5,550,318). Managed a team of nine research and technical assistants. Developed a project on magnetic separation of bio-macromolecules, cells and organelles (US Patent 5,508,164).
DeKalb Genetics Corporation Senior Research Scientist (1992-1993) Head of Yield Stability
Managed team of nine full time employees. Yield Stability; Drought Tolerance; and Transformation Technology Development in Corn, developed project on drought tolerant maize by genetic engineering approaches with a research group of five research assistants (US Patent 5,780,709; 1998).
DeKalb Genetics Corporation Senior Project Scientist (1993-1994) Head of Transformation Technology Development
Directed Transformation Technology Development in maize at DeKalb Genetics. Focus: Transformation development research in maize (US Patent 6,281,411; 2001, 5,874,265; 1999 and 5,489,520; 1996)
Established a program for Undergraduate Independent studies students and student internships between DeKalb Genetics, Connecticut College and the University of Rhode Island.
DeKalb Genetics Corporation Senior Project Leader (1994-1997) Transformation Technology Development
Gene targeting by site directed integration via Cre/Lox system; promoter and gene expression studies; gene silencing. Development of a promoter evaluation research project to study product gene expression in transgenic maize. Evaluation of CaMV 35S, aldolase, rice actin 1, and maize adh1. Developed educational materials and tours of the facility regarding biotechnology and gene transfer to corn.
Biotechnology Start-up Company Founder, Co-Founder and Other Involvements
Ig. Tech, Inc. Co-Founder & Consultant. 1997. Co-Founding member, as plant molecular biologist, for an effort to produce antibodies in plants for animal health care products. Raised over $2.8 million in financing. Sold company to multi-nationals.
HybriGene Inc. 1998-2004. Vice President/Director of Research Gene Discovery and Genetic Improvement in Grasses and Cereal Crops. HybriGene Inc. is an agricultural biotechnology company focusing on genetic improvement in turfgrasses and cereal crops. Responsibilities included direction and management of the laboratory in West Kingston RI, licensing arrangements, patent preparation and intellectual property; grant (SBIR) and business plan writing. HybriGene has raised over $6.2 million in financing. Designed transgenic laboratory for transformation of turf crops and exotic grasses and maintained direction of the Rose student internship program of undergraduates at URI. Responsible for hiring all scientific staff for molecular biology and plant transformation laboratory in West Kingston RI. Trait development and trait gene acquisition for crop improvement in alfalfa, forage, and cool-season turf species. Management of fifteen full time employees. Development of university and industry collaborations in the United States and Eastern Europe. Licensing of genes and technology. Development of University/Industry interactions and a collaborative internship.
Lifeedu 2001-Present. (Now NEBI). Founder and President. Lifeedu is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the dissemination of educational materials related to biotechnology.
Ophios, LLC 2004-Present. Co-Founder, Chief Scientific Officer and Director of Research: An Agri-Food Production Company specializing in Fresh Green Garlic. Established and invented a new vegetable called Fresh Green Garlic, patents issued and pending, commercial production in process. Sold company to large vegetable seed company.
Plant Advancements LLC 2009-2016. Co-Founder and Managing Director, in association with Ernst Conservation Seeds Inc., Plant Advancements LLC was a renewable bioenergy company with a focus on the development and primary production of biomass for the growing bioenergy industries.
Verinomics Inc. 2016-2020. An Advanced Plant Breeding Company Genomics, Genome Editing and Computational Biology. Co-Founder. (Founders: Drs. S. Dellaporta, M. Moreno, C. Heffelfinger and A.P. Kausch). As a recent Yale University Spinoff Company, using their proprietary advanced genomics and computational platforms makes possible advanced crop breeding through accelerated germplasm development and trait identification. Partnering in plant transformation and genome editing projects. Specializing in vegetable crops. The Company provides partners with a task-specific, integrated approach to crop improvement, utilizing proprietary genomic technologies, advanced computational biology, statistical analyses and advanced breeding strategies to generate new product varieties with PVP protection, rapidly and without gene modification. (NOTE: Dr. Kausch stepped down from Verinomics, August 2021 to pursue activities in The New England Biophilia Institute, see below).
The New England Biophilia Institute LLC. 2021-Present. Founder and President. Agricultural Biotechnology and CEA Technology Consulting: Innovative OMO-AR-AI-VR-Wiki Enhanced Avatar Updated and Driven Educational Learning Platform Development and Nonprofit Activities Associated with the Biophilia Project.