Category: News

SJR13: A resolution honoring Southern Research’s 75th Anniversary

Posted on September 20, 2016

AL State Capitol_SJR13Southern Research was founded in 1941 with the purpose of advancing science and becoming an economic driver for the region. Today, 75 years later, Southern Research employs nearly 500 people across five states, working to help solve the world’s hardest problems.

In recognition of this historic anniversary, the Alabama Legislature passed a joint resolution recognizing our hard work and commemorating the contributions Southern Research has made to science and engineering on behalf of our numerous clients.

Related: Southern Research through the years, a timeline.

We would like to thank Senators Rodger Smitherman and Jabo Waggoner for carrying this resolution, and our other friends in the legislature for their support. Your recognition means a lot to us, and we look forward to continuing our work to make Alabama and the world a better place.

Read the entire transcript below, or visit Legiscan to access a PDF of the joint senate resolution.

 

Senate Joint Resolution 13 (SJR13)

By Senators Smitherman, Waggoner, Albritton, Allen, Beasley, Blackwell, Brewbaker, Bussman, Chambliss, Coleman-Madison, Dial, Dunn, Figures, Glover, Hightower, Holley, Holtzclaw, Livingston, Marsh, McClendon, Melson, Orr, Pittman, Reed, Ross, Sanders, Sanford, Scofield, Shelnutt, Singleton, Smith, Stutts, Ward, Whatley and Williams

First Read: 18-AUG-16

SJR13

ENROLLED, SJR13,
RECOGNIZING SOUTHERN RESEARCH ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY.

WHEREAS, it is with highest commendation that we recognize the invaluable contributions to the betterment of mankind made by the scientists and engineers of Southern Research since its founding in 1941; and

WHEREAS, Southern Research, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, has served as a driver of economic development for the State of Alabama since its inception in a number of highly technical fields of discipline; and

WHEREAS, whether it is drug discovery, drug development, engineering, energy, and environment, or medical devices, the men and women of Southern Research are making contributions every day to help make the world a better place in which to live; and

WHEREAS, this 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and development organization has discovered seven FDA-approved anticancer drugs, a record rivaling any nonprofit research organization in the world; and

WHEREAS, in addition to cancer, the scientists of Southern Research are actively pursuing new drug therapies in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Tuberculosis, Kidney Disease, and Diabetes, in addition to other areas, and are proud partners in the Alabama Drug Discovery Alliance; and

WHEREAS, the organization’s drug development division has a notable record of achievement in the fields of infectious diseases and vaccine development, to include work in HIV/AIDS and mosquito borne viruses, and has been leading the way in our state to help combat Zika; and

WHEREAS, Southern Research engineers are developing technologies to help the Department of Defense, NASA, the intelligence community, and commercial companies solve some of the most challenging problems in the fields of mechanics, materials, and systems development, including work on Prompt Global Strike and an aerial imaging system utilized by NASA to capture full motion high definition video of rocket launches from greater than 25 miles away; and

WHEREAS, the men and women of its energy and environment division continue to be focused on producing cleaner energy, providing clean water, developing new sources of energy, including energy storage, and driving innovation that enhances and promotes our state in a multitude of ways such as the Southeastern Solar Research Center and Gen IV Nuclear research; and

WHEREAS, Southern Research continues to do its part to help with job and industry recruitment in Alabama through not only its own successes, but in partnership with a number of economic development entities throughout the state; now therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That it is a privilege to commend the significant achievements and meritorious efforts of Southern Research, and by copy of this resolution, we extend our congratulations on 75 years of accomplishment and best wishes for another 75 years of scientific and engineering excellence.

President and Presiding Officer of the Senate

Speaker of the House of Representatives

SJR13
Senate 18-AUG-16
I hereby certify that the within Senate Joint Resolution originated in and was adopted by the Senate.

Patrick Harris
Secretary

House of Representatives
Adopted: 19-AUG-16

By: Senator Smitherman

Southern Research at 75: Improving peanut butter and other early projects

Posted on September 15, 2016

SR 75th_Logo_Horz_RGB
The first project at the fledgling Southern Research got under way in April 1945, when the entire technical staff consisted of an organic chemist, Carl Bordenca, and the director, Dr. Wilbur A Lazier.

The Morris-Cartwright Home in Birmingham, purchased months before by Chairman Thomas Martin, was converted into a base for Southern Research’s chemical laboratories and equipment.

Southern Research peanut butter
An early Southern Research project involved improving peanut butter.

The National Peanut Council was among the first to turn to the organization, requesting an extensive study on how the industry could expand its reach in post-war era. Specifically, Southern Research scientists looked at ways to make peanut butter more spreadable and stable. They even tried to produce a peanut butter ice cream.

Another early project called for devising a machine that would perform chemical and physical tests on cigarettes, sponsored by Larus & Brother Co. of Richmond, Virginia. The tobacco firm used the work to improve its products and develop new ones.

Southern Research scientists also explored to how to produce better-tasting potato chips.

By September 1945, Lazier reported that the organization had grown to 20 scientists on staff and that $250,000 in sponsored projects had been lined up. The growth continued.

TACKLING PROBLEMS

Three years later, the staff was approaching 90, most of them highly specialized scientists and technicians. They worked in six different buildings, and had already prepared nearly 50 technical papers and applied for 25 patents.

Though the organization was founded to serve Southern business concerns, companies from other states sponsored research projects. The Army, Navy and the Atomic Energy Commission came calling. It frequently functioned in a trouble-shooting capacity for corporations needing help, and much of the work was confidential.

Southern Research artificial flavors
An early project at Southern Research involved producing artificial flavors.

Significant projects in these early years included:

  • Metallurgy: Scientists tackled a problem caused by the high level of phosphorous present in Southern pig iron, which dulled the cutting edges of high-speed machine tools. Southern Research discovered that adding a small amount of zirconium altered the microstructure of the pig iron, improving its machinability.
  • Artificial flavors: Southern Research developed new chemical compounds from the oils of orange and grapefruit peels, resulting in new flavor and perfume ingredients.
  • Paint: Scientists helped a steel company develop a line of paints from coal-tar byproducts.

One of the early Engineering Department projects was a heat pump for the Muncie Gear Works. Southern Research engineers designed the plumbing system for the heat pump patented by Muncie that named Emory Kemler, director of the Engineering Department, as co-inventor.

In 1947, Southern Research produced some of the first chemical agent detectors for the military.

 

This is Part Two of a series looking at the history of Southern Research.

Southern Research hires VP of Quality and Compliance

Posted on September 14, 2016

Southern Research is pleased to announce the hiring of Greg Furrow as Vice President of Quality and Compliance. As vice president, Furrow joins the executive team, and in addition to overseeing quality and regulatory compliance, will have oversight of environmental health and safety (EH&S) standards across all of Southern Research.

Prior to joining Southern Research, Furrow served as Vice President of Quality and Regulatory Compliance at WIL Research, where he was responsible for all areas of compliance and EH&S across six laboratories in the United States, France and the Netherlands. Furrow is also a board member and past-president of the Society of Quality Assurance (SQA), and is active in the quality assurance community globally.

“We are excited for Greg to join Southern Research, and look forward to the contributions he will make across our organization,” said Art Tipton, Ph.D., president and CEO of Southern Research. “Our scientists and engineers come to work every day prepared to help solve some of the world’s hardest problems, and the quality of our work and compliance to regulatory standards is of the utmost importance. This move further streamlines communication on safety issues directly to the executive team, and will strengthen our organization more broadly.”

Early Career

After receiving a master’s degree in analytical chemistry at the University of Maryland, Furrow started his career as an analytical chemist at the USDA, then with Eli Lilly and Company, where he worked for 21 years. He left the bench to oversee the company’s analytical laboratories at their Clinton Laboratories manufacturing site. This transition opened the door to a management position in human resources for global Toxicology and Drug Disposition, and ultimately a position as Manager of Quality Assurance for Global Toxicology & Drug Disposition and global Elanco nonclinical and clinical.

“Like a lot of other things, management is all about people,” Furrow added. “My role is to ensure that the people who are working in the lab are empowered with the knowledge and resources they need to be successful and accountable. I am excited to bring my expertise in the field to lead this function and work as a team to accomplish our quality and compliance goals.”

In 2006, Furrow left Eli Lilly to lead a segment of Regulatory Affairs and Quality as a senior director with Charles River, based in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. In this role, he spent five years expanding his focus and deepening his understanding of the quality and safety standards involved with industrial chemicals and new devices.

Quality and Compliance as a tool

“I have always approached quality assurance from the position that we are not the police,” Furrow said. “The key to any successful operation is to change the perception from one where QA is the watchdog, to one where QA is a valued partner available to offer insight, feedback and guidance. Southern Research has a distinguished reputation for high quality work, and I look forward to working with teams to harmonize QA, improve quality and efficiency across the entire company and empower individuals to take ownership of their processes and improve performance.”

A past-president of the SQA, Furrow remains active in the global QA field. Additionally, he is co-chair of the committee tasked with writing a response to the GLP Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (proposed revision to the FDA GLP regulations). Furrow also has a deep appreciation for the importance of environmental health and safety and will bring an experienced viewpoint as the new leader for this critical function.

At the end of the day, it’s all about the people. For the past 75 years Southern Research has empowered its people to drive innovation within the state, region and for a global clientele. Furrow will strengthen this tradition while continuing to influence policy and advancing best practices that will lead to future scientific discoveries.

Southern Research at 75: A visionary creates a laboratory to lift industry and a region

Posted on September 8, 2016
Southern Research Tom Martin
Alabama Power CEO Thomas Martin was the driving force behind Southern Research.

Thomas Martin, the dynamic president of Alabama Power in 1941, saw the South’s industrial potential being held back for a simple reason – there was too little research activity to benefit businesses and drive innovation across the region.

Martin managed to make his vision come true, with the creation of what is now known as Southern Research, a Birmingham-based non-profit organization that has been committed to scientific discovery and technology development for 75 years.

From the start, Martin’s ambitions for the organization were lofty.

Its laboratories would concentrate on “discovering new products, new materials as substitutes for existing ones, improvement in existing products and their method of manufacture, use of by-products and materials now wasted, and study of potential markets for new products and new methods of manufacture,” he said.

As the 1940s began, the need for a research organization in Birmingham had actually been discussed for more than a decade, following a proposal by University of Alabama professor Stewart Lloyd.

Lloyd, the dean of the university’s School of Chemistry, Metallurgy and Ceramics, called for the creation of a research group in 1930 after preparing a report that examined the Birmingham area’s chemical assets and their industrial potential.

CALL TO ACTION

SR 75th_Logo_Horz_RGBThe influential Martin, president of Alabama Power since 1920, took up the cause. A pivotal moment came on Oct. 10, 1940, when he delivered a five-minute speech to the Alabama Chamber of Commerce proposing the creation of a research laboratory supported by a fund of not less than $250,000.

He declared that Alabama Power would match any pledge. Soon, momentum for the plan began to swell.

With Martin at the wheel, nearly 80 business leaders signed up as incorporators of the new research organization. On Oct. 9, 1941, in Room 236 of Birmingham’s Tutwiler Hotel, the incorporators gathered for their first meeting.

Two days later, incorporation papers for what would be called Alabama Research Institute were filed. Martin became the organization’s chairman in December 1941, but the U.S. entry into World War II after the Pearl Harbor attack put the fledgling research group on hold.

PLEDGING SUPPORT

The Morris-Cartwright Home on Birmingham's Southside was Southern Research's first base.
The Morris-Cartwright Home on Birmingham’s Southside was Southern Research’s first base.

Late in 1943, Martin made another push. He invited industrial leaders from around the South to a meeting at Alabama Power’s headquarters on Dec. 21 and kicked off a financing campaign to launch operations.

His goal was $50,000 the first year, and double that amount in subsequent years. Alabama Power pledged $15,000 per year for five years — $75,000 total.

Other businessmen responded with substantial pledges. With support for the research institute flowing in from outside Alabama, it was time for a name that reflected a regional focus.

On May 4, 1944, the Southern Research Institute was born, with the goal of becoming an economic driver for the entire region.

In August that year, Martin purchased the Morris-Cartwright House on Birmingham’s Southside for $57,500 as the organization’s base.

Before long, Southern Research’s first scientists and technicians were diving into their initial research projects.

Southern Research acquires Houston-based aerospace firm Curved Skies

Posted on September 6, 2016

Southern Research announced today it has acquired the assets of Houston-based aerospace professional services company Curved Skies LLC. Through this acquisition, the Southern Research Engineering division increases its Houston presence and expands its capabilities in advanced airborne government and commercial technologies such as high-resolution imagery, full-motion video, hyperspectral imaging, and advanced communication systems.

“With the acquisition of Curved Skies, NASA and our other government customers can now benefit from years of global operational experience focused on new engineering efforts,” said Michael Johns, vice president of the Southern Research Engineering division. “This extension is a significant step forward in our vision to support world-class engineering across our governmental, academic and industry efforts.”

Curved Skies, which demonstrates high-altitude geospatial technologies, performs sensor risk reduction studies for commercial and government clients, and has a track record of transitioning systems to commercial capabilities and to next-generation space applications. Since 2012, Curved Skies has operated and proven technologies in South America, Africa, and the Middle East in support of government developmental requirements in challenging environments.

“Southern Research is a perfect home for our personnel to continue our important mission of supporting the aerospace industry through high altitude technologies and communication solutions,” said Jared Novick, CEO of Curved Skies. “I’ve always believed that operational experience and real-world feedback drives innovation. Our personnel now have a home to innovate and engineer solutions we know customers require.”

Southern Research ZIKV AG129 Mouse Model

Posted on September 2, 2016

AG129 Mouse Model:

AG129 mice were selected because they are highly susceptible to infection when challenged with the Puerto Rican strain of ZIKV, PRVABC59. As such, they serve as an ideal candidate for observing how the virus infection progresses in a living model. More specifically, the model is 100% lethal at subcutaneous challenge dose 1×101-1×105 PFU, and AG129 exhibit pronounced clinical signs of infection, such as weight loss and neurological indications that were not otherwise exhibited in other species.

In this sense, the NHP reacted to Zika in a manner much more similar to humans.

While cynomolgus macaque models are essential for studying the safety and efficacy of candidate ZIKV vaccines,  clinical disease model such as AG129 provide a very useful tool for efficacy evaluation of ZIKV antivirals in “trigger to treat” testing.

Key Findings:

  • AG129 model is 100% lethal after subcutaneous challenge dose 1×101-1×105 PFU of the PRBABC59 strain.
  • Neurological signs are detected in a majority of the animals tested.
  • Presence of high serum viral load and high neutralizing antibodies (PRNT50) were evident in all AG129 mice tested.
  • The model is suitable for prophylactic and therapeutic antiviral drug efficacy evaluation.
  • In addition to NHP model, AG129 offers an alternative model for testing candidate Zika vaccines.

In an effort to identify a vaccine for the Zika virus (ZIKV), Southern Research is running multiple animal model studies independently and through a contract with the NIAID in non-human primates (NHP).

Southern Research studies ways to spur innovation, new jobs in Alabama coal country

Posted on August 30, 2016

Southern Research will use a $60,202 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to develop a strategic plan to foster job creation and entrepreneurial activity in 19 Alabama counties hurt by the decline of the coal industry.

This downturn has struck a blow to portions of northwest and central Alabama, wiping out thousands of jobs and creating economic hardships, said Corey Tyree, Ph.D., director of Energy & Environment – Alabama, who is leading the project.

Alabama has lost more than 21,000 coal-related jobs.
Alabama has lost more than 21,000 coal-related jobs.

Tyree said employment in Alabama coal fields decreased 43 percent between 1990 and 2014 as the number of mines fell by half. Over this time frame, more than 21,000 coal-related jobs disappeared in these 19 counties, costing their economies more than $1.8 billion in lost wages.

“Looking at the coal mining industry from a long-term perspective, with production at a low point and no clear economic drivers to reverse the negative trends, it’s difficult to see how coal will be a source of job creation in this region of Alabama,” Tyree said.

IDENTIFYING RESOURCES

Southern Research’s strategic plan will examine ways the Alabama coal region can create new jobs that help spur an economic revival.

On the project, Southern Research will team with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to identify business sectors ripe for new entrepreneurial activity, given a higher level of investment. The organizations are frequent collaborators and have forged partnerships for drug discovery and medical device development.

Corey Tyree, director, Energy & Environment - Alabama.
Corey Tyree, director, Energy & Environment – Alabama.

Tyree’s project team will also study how similar revitalization projects in the nation achieved successful outcomes and assess how the two organizations’ long-standing R&D experience can support programs that stimulate start-up activity. The goal will be to capitalize on the strengths and capabilities of the existing workforce and put people back to work in new industries fueled by creativity and innovation.

As part of the 12-week project, the team will engage with educators, economic development professionals, investors and others in the coal region to build a broad coalition of advocates for a renewal effort.

The team will also work with partners such as Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, the Energy Institute of Alabama, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, and the Alabama Department of Commerce.

“Areas that lose their historical economic base must recognize future opportunities for industrial development and growth, and they must put assets in place that fuel job creation and enhance competitiveness,” Tyree said.

FUELING INNOVATION

Included in the study are Alabama’s three top coal-producing counties – Walker, Jefferson and Tuscaloosa. The other counties are Lauderdale, Franklin, Marion, Lawrence, Winston, Colbert, Lamar, Fayette, Pickens, Greene, Bibb, Hale, Shelby, Chilton, St. Clair and Blount.

While some of the counties don’t have significant coal-mining activity, they may house a coal-fired power plant that’s closed or undergone a conversion to natural gas, or they may simply be part of a regional economy that historically included jobs in the coal supply chain. All the counties are in economic development regions drawn by the Alabama Legislature in 2015 to encourage collaboration in job-creation initiatives.

Though Alabama and the coal region have taken steps to put resources in place for entrepreneurs, actual start-up activity remains low, with Alabama ranking No. 49 in new business creation in a 2015 study by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

To attack challenges, Tyree said the team will focus on ways to introduce new levels of innovation into the region’s business environment.

“Productivity is the fundamental driver of prosperity, and innovation is the driver of productivity,” he said. “The focus of economic development must be on supporting all forms of innovation as that will fuel the growth of new business in the region by fostering new ideas, technologies and jobs.”

Southern Research’s ARC grant was among $38.8 million in awards announced last week by the Obama Administration for programs to assist communities hurt by the downturn in the U.S. coal industry and changes in the power section.

The ARC is a regional development agency that represents a partnership between federal, state and local government.

Battling Zika: Southern Research expert on Bio Report podcast

Posted on August 29, 2016

“To borrow a line from Jurassic Park, life finds a way.” – Jim Pannucci, Ph.D., senior director of Infectious Disease Research at Southern Research.

Bio Report podcastPannucci appeared on the Bio Report podcast with Daniel Levine to discuss his new role with the organization and the battle to find a vaccine therapeutic for Zika and other diseases.

In the conversation, Pannucci spoke about the way infectious disease researchers approach an outbreak. He also connected the spread of the Zika virus, and other diseases that had once been considered tropical diseases, to global climate change, the evolution of mosquito species, and increased rates of travel among humans.

“Due to environmental changes, and species changes, and changes in the mosquitoes themselves, viruses are able to get places that they certainly have not been before.

And, the world is a lot smaller place than it used to be, so people are traveling more often — in and out of endemic areas — and with this come an increased risk of those travelers bringing them [diseases] back.”

Listen to the full podcast to learn more about Southern Research and how the organization contributing to the global effort to find a vaccine or therapeutic cure for this disease.

Tune in here, or stream directly from Soundcloud.

FDA advises testing for Zika virus in all donated blood and blood components in the US

Posted on August 29, 2016

This article originally appeared as a news release from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday, August 26.

Food and Drug Administration
FDA announces blood drive advisory to screen all blood donations for Zika virus.

As a further safety measure against the emerging Zika virus outbreak, today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a revised guidance recommending universal testing of donated Whole Blood and blood components for Zika virus in the U.S. and its territories.

“There is still much uncertainty regarding the nature and extent of Zika virus transmission,” said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. “At this time, the recommendation for testing the entire blood supply will help ensure that safe blood is available for all individuals who might need transfusion.”

The FDA first issued guidance on Feb. 16 recommending that only areas with active Zika virus transmission screen donated Whole Blood and blood components for Zika virus, use pathogen-reduction devices, or halt blood collection and obtain Whole Blood and blood components from areas of the U.S. without active virus transmission. All areas with active transmission in the U.S. are currently in compliance with this guidance. The revised guidance announced today recommends that all states and U.S. territories screen individual units of donated Whole Blood and blood components with a blood screening test authorized for use by the FDA under an investigational new drug (IND) application, or a licensed test when available. Alternatively, an FDA-approved pathogen-reduction device may be used for plasma and certain platelet products.

The FDA is updating its guidance after careful consideration of all available scientific evidence, consultation with other public health agencies, and taking into consideration the potential serious health consequences of Zika virus infection to pregnant women and children born to women exposed to Zika virus during pregnancy.

Testing of donated blood is already underway in Florida and Puerto Rico, as well as in other areas, and it has shown to be beneficial in identifying donations infected with Zika virus. Expanded testing will continue to reduce the risk for transmission of Zika virus through the U.S. blood supply and will be in effect until the risk of transfusion transmission of Zika virus is reduced.

Zika virus is transmitted primarily by the Aedes mosquito. Zika virus can also be spread by sexual contact. Although 4 out of 5 people infected with Zika virus never develop symptoms, when symptoms do occur they may include fever, arthralgia (joint pain), maculopapular rash (red area with small bumps), and conjunctivitis (red, irritated eyes). In addition, Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects and is associated with other adverse pregnancy outcomes.

“As new scientific and epidemiological information regarding Zika virus has become available, it’s clear that additional precautionary measures are necessary,” said Luciana Borio, M.D., the FDA’s acting chief scientist. “We are issuing revised guidance for immediate implementation in order to help maintain the safety of the U.S. blood supply.”

The first local or non-travel related transmission of Zika virus in the U.S. by mosquitoes was reported from Puerto Rico in December 2015; and soon thereafter, local transmission was reported in American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In July 2016, the first cases of local or non-travel related transmission of Zika virus in the continental U.S. were reported in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

In addition to protecting the nation’s blood supply, the FDA works to protect the safety of our nation’s supply of human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products; supports the development and availability of diagnostic tests that may be useful for identifying the presence of or prior exposure to the Zika virus; works with commercial and government developers to advance the development of investigational vaccines and therapeutics; and monitors for fraudulent products and false product claims related the Zika virus.

The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, promotes and protects the public health by, among other things, assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.

Southern Research hires Jim Pannucci to lead infectious disease research

Posted on August 17, 2016

Infectious disease research veteran Jim Pannucci, Ph.D., has joined Southern Research as senior director for infectious disease research, the largest focus area within the organization’s Drug Development division.

Jim Pannucci is senior director for infectious disease research at Southern Research.
Jim Pannucci is senior director for infectious disease research at Southern Research.

In this new role, Pannucci will direct a diverse team focused on developing vaccines and conducting ground-breaking research on a number of high-profile diseases, including HIV/AIDS, influenza, and mosquito-borne viruses such as Zika, chikungunya, dengue and yellow fever. Last month, the team received a National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases contract to develop a non-human primate model for Zika drug candidate analysis.

Pannucci joins Southern Research with 24 years of life science industry experience. He previously served as vice president and Life Sciences division manager at Reston, Virginia-based Leidos.

Based at the company’s Frederick, Maryland, location, he had management responsibilities for a staff of 130 and oversaw research on vaccines and research programs related to infectious diseases, cancers and neurological disorders. He also managed client relationships and led the pursuit of new business opportunities.

LEVERAGING CAPABILITIES

Pannucci’s scientific career began with characterizing antiviral therapeutics at pharmaceutical company Schering-Plough. He conducted post-doctoral studies at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, where he became a technical staff member and a team leader in the BioScience Division over nearly eight years. He joined Leidos in 2006.

“As a scientist, I am excited that my work helps people and contributes to curing. Much of my professional success stems from the opportunities I’ve had at the intersection of business and science, and that has helped me develop skills I can take to my new role,” Pannucci said.

“Southern Research is in an incredible position to leverage its unique capabilities into new growth opportunities. We have brilliant people who have proven themselves capable of solving some of the world’s hardest problems,” he added.

Pannucci has identified four key goals for Southern Research’s infectious disease team: maximizing growth opportunities, both in size and scope; optimizing the team’s business practices; aligning capabilities with the goals of current and future customers; and retaining world-class talent.

SPEARHEADING GROWTH

“Jim joins Southern Research at an exciting time for our organization, and he is the perfect person to spearhead our continued growth in the strategically important arena of infectious disease research,” said Tim McGrath, vice president of the Drug Development division.

“Our infectious disease research team has a number of unique capabilities championed over the years by Mike Murray, Jon Rayner, and Roger Ptak, and I am eager to support Jim and the team as they continue to advance research on some of the most pressing global health issues of our time.”

Murray, formerly Southern Research’s director of infectious disease research in Frederick, Maryland, now serves as director of government business development. Rayner is director of infectious disease research in Birmingham. Ptak is program leader for in vitro antiviral drug development in Frederick.

Pannucci will work in Southern Research’s Frederick office, which has been in operation since the early 1990s. Southern Research also carries out significant infectious disease research at its campus in Birmingham, where the Drug Development division is based.

Pannucci holds a Ph.D. in microbiology from North Carolina State University, a master’s degree in biology from Seton Hall University, and a bachelor’s in pathobiology from the University of Connecticut.

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