Thursday, July 26, 2007

Cipher Expands It's Scientific Consulting Team

Crofton, MD – Cipher, North America’s largest competitive intelligence consultancy, has expanded its already strong commitment to the life-sciences, with the addition of three new PhDs to its consulting staff.

“Cipher has always had strong ties to the life-sciences, delivering consulting services on the behalf of global pharmaceuticals, medical devices and biotechnology customers, but we have noticed a growing need for scientific intelligence services from our life sciences customers. To meet this demand, Cipher has added three very talented scientific consultants to our staff,” says Peter McKenney, Cipher’s CEO.

New to Cipher’s research staff are:

• Catherine Dain, MD: Dr. Dain has her doctorate in pediatric medicine, and graduated as a Master of Science (microbial biodefense) from George Mason University. Previous to joining Cipher she served as Research Faculty at the National Center for Biodefense, as well as Director of Science and Technology at Lamina Equities. Her specialties include Pediatrics, Biodefense, Bioterrorism and Biology.

• John Jakupciak, PhD: Dr. Jakupciak earned his Ph.D., Genetics from Texas A&M University,
Institute of Biosciences and Technology. He also has a M.S. Chemistry and B.A. Biology. Prior to
working with Cipher, Dr. Jakupciak was a research scientist for such organizations as the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency.

• Jeffrey Wells, PhD: Dr. Wells received his doctorate in Biophysics from the State University of NYBuffalo. His areas of expertise include fluorescence & UV-vis spectroscopy, optical microscopy, colorimetric assaying, dynamic light scattering particle analysis, surfactant formulation, liquid chromatography, cell culturing, in vivo experimentation, constructing laser systems, image processing, basic chemical synthesis, imaging systems and processing, technical writing, analytical hardware maintenance, 3-D computer-aided modeling, materials science, optics, physics, organic chemistry, biology.

In recent months, Cipher has become more actively involved in long-term scientific research projects. Examples of these engagements include:

• Vaccine Development Best Practice Assessment: Cipher is employing its Life Sciences expertise to map, assess and optimize the biological and chemical defense portfolio of one of its institutional customers. Cipher is also working to identify and assess methods and technologies across industry and academia for their applicability in accelerating Transformational Medical Technology Initiative (TMTI) to radically transform the manner in which critical biodefense research medical countermeasures are developed.

• Direct DNA Sequencing for High Speed Bio-sensing: This task investigates what advantages may accrue if novel, innovative methods of direct sequencing of genomic DNA were developed to address biosensing requirements, and compares these advantages to other advanced sensing technologies to determine best of class performance in key operational attributes.

Cipher is a full service competitive intelligence firm serving clients around the world. Cipher consultants are experienced in delivering strategic research and analysis services across industries. Cipher consultants also deliver customizable decision support technology solutions including Cipher’s award-winning competitive intelligence software, Knowledge.WorksTM, and new individual research support software, IntelAssist TM.

To read more: Cipher Systems

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