Southern Research Institute Names Vladimir Yamshchikov Director of Infectious Disease Research Department in Birmingham
2007 NOV 19 -- Southern Research Institute, a not-for-profit organization that conducts basic and applied research in the areas of preclinical drug discovery, drug and vaccine development, advanced engineering, environmental and energy production, announced the appointment of Vladimir Yamshchikov, Ph.D. as director of its Infectious Disease Research Dept. in Birmingham. "Dr. Yamshchikov has an impressive combination of scientific, technical and regulatory expertise, with more than 20 years experience with research in molecular virology in BSL-3 and ABSL-3 laboratories," said William R. Waud, Ph.D., interim vice president of the Drug Development Division at Southern Research. "His intimate knowledge and experience working with infectious diseases and select agents will serve him well as he manages this growing area of research at Southern Research." Prior to joining Southern Research, Dr. Yamshchikov was an associate professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences at the University of Kansas. He is a member of the American Society for Virology and has published more than 35 peer-reviewed research papers. He received his Master's degree in Bioorganic Chemistry from Moscow State University in Moscow, Russia and his doctorate in Bioorganic Chemistry & Molecular Biology from the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry in Novosibirsk, Russia. Dr. Yamshchikov has extensive experience and training in handling emerging pathogens and select agents in both BSL-3 and ABSL-3 laboratories. He also has hands-on experience working with a variety of human and veterinary pathogens and viral vectors. He spent more than 10 years managing a CDC/USDA certified BSL-3 and ABSL-3 facility approved by the FBI to handle select agents. Southern Research also operates an Infectious Disease Research Dept. in Frederick, Md., directed by Michael G. Murray, Ph.D. Last year, Southern Research's BSL-3 laboratory in Birmingham underwent a $1 million renovation that included adding bioaerosol capabilities and expanding Southern Research's ability to conduct GLP-compliant studies in high containment, and to evaluate and test new therapeutics and vaccines to protect the public against select agents and emerging infectious diseases. The BSL-3 contains more than 8,300 square feet of in vitro and in vivo space. It is registered with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to work with both animal and human risk group Level 3 pathogens, including highly-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAi), West Nile, SARS viruses and Bacillus anthracis (anthrax). Keywords: Anthrax, Avian Flu, Avian Influenza, Bioorganic Chemistry, Biosciences, Biotechnology, Bird Flu, Business, Clinical Trials, Drug Development, Drug Discovery, Immunization, Medical Device, Molecular Biology, Personnel, Pre-Trials Research, Therapy, Treatment, Vaccination, Vaccine Development, Vaccines, Virology, Southern Research Institute. This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
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