Sr Program Manager Research Scientist

DEBBIE BRATT

Woodsboro, MD ***** 206-***-**** ************@*****.*** www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-bratt

Secret Clearance

I am a seasoned Scientific Research Program Manager and Research Scientist with 25+ years of experience in biomedical research, infectious disease studies, and clinical trial management across basic science, translational, and clinical settings. My expertise spans strategic program execution, stakeholder engagement, biosafety management, and federal acquisition regulation (FAR) compliance, supporting multi-million-dollar federally funded initiatives across government (DoD, DHA, HHS, NIH, NIAID), academia, industry, and international medical institutions.

Throughout my career, I have played a critical role in advancing infectious disease research, leading multi-site clinical programs and coordinating cross-functional teams to optimize scientific policy development, regulatory compliance, pandemic preparedness and medical review processes. My contributions to data-driven research initiatives, crisis response strategies, and translational research advancements have shaped global health resilience and biomedical innovation. With extensive experience in grant evaluation, technical writing, and federal research administration, I have successfully secured high-impact funding and fostered interdisciplinary collaborations that accelerate scientific discoveries and medical breakthroughs.

Adept at strategic leadership in high-stakes environments, I thrive in guiding interdisciplinary teams, refining biosafety protocols, and streamlining program efficiencies that drive public health and research excellence. My background in infectious diseases, immunology, virology, and research uniquely positions me to navigate government-funded health initiatives and complex regulatory landscapes while ensuring policy alignment and long-term research sustainability.

With a steadfast commitment to scientific progress and public health impact, I continue to leverage my expertise in biomedical innovation, federal research administration, research, and clinical program leadership to drive high-value health policy improvements, transformative research solutions, and groundbreaking advancements in global medical science.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2024- PRESENT

BLAST INJURY RESEARCH COORDINATING OFFICE (BIRCO) PROGRAM MANAGER & SITE LEAD I DoD / DHA/ ARMY/ MRDC/ HQHD/ BIRCO OFFICE I FORT DETRICK, MD

Ensuring effective focus and coordination of the congressionally mandated DoD Executive Agent for Medical Research and the Prevention, Mitigation and Treatment of Blast injuries. By coordinating DoD-biomedical research; identifying knowledge gaps, shaping research, and programs accordingly.

2023- 2023

Program Manager II I American Type Cell Culture (ATCC) I Manassas, VA

Successfully awarded newly funded Construction for large-scale biorepository and laboratories Construction among other NIH grant awards for central repositories for the Vaccine Research centers, supporting medical countermeasures. Implemented and managed the renovation of the out-of-date biosafety laboratory 3, bringing it up to date and ensuring it will remain operable for several years to come.

2021- 2023

Scientific Program Manager I NIAID/ DMID/ RBD-Viral Section I Rockville, MD

Led the SARS-CoV-2 Assessment of Variant Evolution (SAVE), providing crucial advice to the White House and Senior Advisors for vaccines, thereby contributing significantly to the fight against COVID-19 variants.

Also, program managed the Centers for Influenza Research and Response (CEIRR) programs research initiative establishing the animal surveillance program.

2018- 2021

Scientific Research Manager I Center for Vaccine & Immunology (CVI), College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at the University of Georgia (UGA) Athens, GA 2020-2021

Quickly pivoted to pandemic research as mandated by the USG. Initiated and led The SARS SeroPrevelance and Respiratory Tract Assessment (SPARTA) study. Set up a clinical research study and ensured critical data was disseminated in daily or weekly meetings with USG.

Associate Director of Research and Operations for the Non-Human Primate (NHP) Core I College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at the University of Georgia (UGA) Athens, GA 2018-2020

Day to day operation of biomedical research and facility to include clinical veterinary staff, professional research staff and the facility operation. Managed the NHPs and facilitated the addition of new primate species to the core.

Basic, Preclinical, and Clinical Scientific Research Program Manager Department of Orthopaedics at the University of Washington Seattle, WA 11/2017 - 10/2018

Infectious Disease & AIDS-Related Disease Unit, at the Washington National Primate Research Center (WaNPRC) at the University of Washington Seattle, WA 01/2011 - 11/2017

Research Coordinator & Program Manager 01/2016 - 11/2017

Mucosal Immunology Core (MIC) Manager 01/2016 - 11/2017

Flow Cytometry Core Manager 01/2012 - 11/2017

Senior Lab Manager Research Scientist IV Project Manager 01/2011 – 11/2017

Hume Lab Manager Research Scientist II I Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Washington Seattle, WA 12/2003 – 01/2011

EDUCATION

2002

Bachelor of Arts in Biomedical Anthropology I University of Washington I Seattle, WA

Pre-Medicine and Primatology

Post-Graduate in Law, Public Health, Epidemiology, Genetics and Microbiology

CORE COMPETENCIES

Program & Operational Oversight, Implementation and Design

International Biomedical Research Leadership

Stakeholder Engagement, Relationships & Cross-Sector Collaboration

Policy Formulation, Regulatory Compliance

Community Engagement

Basic, Clinical & Translational Research & Technical Expertise

Full life cycle of program management

Organization Management

Government, DoD, DHA, HHS, NIH, NIAID

Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR)

Quality Assurance, Regulatory Compliance & Safety

Leadership & Training

Communication & Reporting

Financial, Grant & Contract Management

Clinical Trials

Infectious Diseases, Vaccines, Virology, Immunology

Strategic Multi-Million-Dollar Program Management

Business Development & Growth

Global Health Initiatives

Risk Assessment / Mitigation

Data Management, Analysis & Interpretation Research Innovation

Event Coordination and Communication

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