Christopher Byrd, Ph.D.

Experience

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  US Army

  Jul 2009 - Jun 2012

  • Direct, coordinate and support the battlefield delivery, training, and employment of all Program/Product managers and their personnel throughout Afghanistan, including approximately 70 different systems and technologies valued at over $10 billion and 4,000 support representatives.• Advise the commander of all U.S. forces in Afghanistan on filling critical operational and strategic technological capability gaps, increasing maneuverability, operability and safety for nearly 100,000 soldiers as well as Coalition partners.• Supervise and perform forensic DNA Analysis for the Combined Exploitation Cell with results used in the Afghanistan criminal justice system. Processed approximately 30 cases with results analysis. Show less • Design and lead biological engineering research focused on understanding the genetic mechanisms involved in bacterial proliferation and sudden changes in pathogenicity based upon local population of cells (Quorum Sensing). • Lead the rapid delivery, training, and field support efforts in southern Afghanistan for BeachComber, a developmental explosives detection device program valued at over $24 million. • Perform forensic DNA Analysis for the Combined Exploitation Cell with results used in the Afghanistan criminal justice system. • Serve as liaison between the Army Research Laboratory, the Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies (ICB), Edgewood Chemical and Biological Center (ECBC), and the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point for the coordinated development of chemical and biological technologies. Show less

  • Deputy Director, Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology Directorate

    Jun 2011 - Jun 2012

  • Team Leader, Chem Bio Detection

    Jul 2009 - Jun 2011
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  U.S. Army Research Laboratory

  Jul 2012 - Jun 2013

  Director of Biosciences

  • Led the ARL biosciences prospect and research function, focusing and supervising basic and advanced research programs valued in excess of $20M.• Worked closely with developmental leads as a partner in helping to achieve research goals, incorporating organizational goals with the Defense Laboratory Network Joint Science and Technology Office strategy.• Augment ARL Chief Scientist in multiple arenas including international relations and Department of Defense Laboratory Commanders’ assemblies. Show less

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  US Army

  Jul 2013 - Jun 2014

  Science and Technology Lead Advisor and Fellow, Chief of Staff of the Army Strategic Support Group

  • Directly advise the highest ranking general officer in the U.S. Army on a highly diverse set of topics including strategy development, policy analysis, science and technology plans and programs, disruptive technologies, and more. • Lead the Science and Technology Research Team, ascertaining global and strategic challenges facing the Department of Defense and the U.S. Army over the next 20+ years and recommending tangible and actionable courses of action to optimize outcomes.

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  United States Military Academy at West Point

  Jun 2014 - Aug 2016

  Deputy Director, Center for Molecular Science/Asst Professor, Dept of Chem and Life Sci

  • Coordinate and enhance strategic partners for research collaborations and funding opportunities within the Center for Molecular Sciences and the Department of Chemistry and Life Sciences.• Provide instruction to all levels of undergraduate student in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, and Bioengineering courses and act as Program Director for all research courses in the Department. • Promote and cultivate collaborations between the Academy and the extended Army research community as well as sister service, academia, and governmental research organizations. Show less

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  BSquared Consulting, LLC

  Dec 2016 - now

  Managing Principal, Chief Scientist

  CBRNE R&D ManagementOrganizational StrategyProject ManagementBiotechnologyBioengineeringMilitaryDefenseGovernmentStrategy

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  The George Washington University Cancer Center

  Apr 2019 - now

  Associate Researcher
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  University of Maryland

  Feb 2020 - now

  Associate Director of the Joint Research Laboratory, whose mission is to rapidly develop prototype technology with Defense and Warfighter needs in mind.

  • Associate Director, Joint Research Laboratory

    Feb 2023 - now

  • Adjunct Professor - Biopharmaceutical Applications

    Feb 2020 - now
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  Defense Threat Reduction Agency

  Jan 2022 - now

  Senior Biological Subject Matter Expert