The IITRI Board of Governors has approved the promotion of Dr. Louis E. Holland II to Assistant Vice-President. This promotion recognizes Dr. Holland's many years of scientific and technical contributions to IITRI programs, and his more recent promotion to Manager of IITRI's Microbiology and Molecular Biology Division.

Dr. Holland coordinates research activities for the division and serves as program manager for a governmental contract to develop quantitative molecular assays for detection and identification of bioagents, as well as new methods for recovery and identification of bioagents from environmental matrices. Other research initiatives include development of molecular diagnostic tools, quantitative gene expression in eukaryotic systems, biodistribution studies, vaccine development, assessment of antiviral drug efficacy, infectious disease animal models, and clinical trial support.

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The following senior scientific and administrative professionals recently joined the IITRI staff:

• Ya-Fei Chen, Ph.D., Research Toxicologist/Safety Pharmacologist, Inhalation Toxicology Division: Dr. Chen is well-versed in general toxicology, preclinical drug safety, neurobehavioral toxicity, pharmacokinetic, metabolism and pharmacodynamic studies. He completed a Ph.D. in Toxicology at the School of Public Health, University of Illinois, Chicago, and post-doctoral study at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI. He is the author or co-author of 12 publications and 20 abstracts.


• Huaping Wu, Ph.D. Research Chemist, Analytical Chemistry, Toxicology Division: Dr. Wu brings expertise in analytical method development and validation, and analysis of pharmaceuticals in biological and dose formulation samples. He completed a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry at Loyola University, Chicago, and post-doctoral work in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Illinois, Chicago. He is the co-author of five publications.


• Michael O'Ryan, M.B.A., Senior Contract Specialist: Mr. O'Ryan joins IITRI with over 15 years of federal and commercial contract administration experience, and holds a M.B.A. from Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL.

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Several staff members recently celebrated milestone service anniversaries with IITRI:

25 Years

• Phil Palmer, Senior Reproduction Specialist: Mr. Palmer coordinates the reproduction, collating and binding of IITRI documents, including study reports, promotional materials and forms.

15 Years

• Leigh Ann Senoussi, Executive Assistant, Administrative Office: Ms. Senoussi provides administrative support to IITRI's Senior Vice-President and Director. She assists in the preparation of proposals, technical reports, presentations, papers for publication, marketing materials, correspondence and organizational charts. She also serves as Assistant Facility Security Officer.

10 Years

• Michael Hawthorn, Laboratory Biologist II, Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Division: Mr. Hawthorne's responsibilities include maintaining the division's organ culture project, from small animal surgery through the tabulation of results. He also has experience in High Performance Liquid Chromatography testing. He has a B.S. in Biology from Bishop College, Dallas, TX, and is the co-author of 22 publications.

5 Years

• April Hlad, Laboratory Biologist II, Microbiology and Molecular Division: Ms. Hlad currently aids in research and development of protocols for studies involving a number of microbes, such as E. coli, Shigella, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus anthracis. She has a B.A., in Biology from North Central College, Naperville, IL.


• Thai Ly, Senior Bio-experimentalist, Inhalation Toxicology Division: Mr. Ly's responsibilities include supervision and performance of tasks involved in the conduct of preclinical inhalation toxicology studies, and operation of inhalation exposure-monitoring equipment. He has a B.S. in Biology from Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL.


• British Scott, Laboratory Biologist II, Toxicology Division: Ms. Scott generates, organizes, maintains and reviews study data to ensure compliance with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations and study protocols. In addition, she performs a variety of duties involved in the conduct of preclinical toxicology studies. She has a B.S. in Biological Science from DePaul University, Chicago, IL.

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