Laboratory Director

Twenty-first Century Leader ● Broad Experience ● Top Ranked Qualifications

Executive Summary

Richard “Rich” Kerr is the former Laboratory Director of Swan Diagnostics, Ltd., a regional veterinary diagnostic laboratory in New York. Rich oversaw the clinical lab offering state-of-the-art diagnostic testing performed by licensed medical technologists and a full complement of clinical research development tools available in a GLP compliant environment. Additionally, he formalized the information technology department and was responsible for the overall operational implementation of the company. He is a world class expert in laboratory management practice and part of a very small group of research-trained molecular immunopathologists.

Academically, Rich is a Blue-Key Honor Doctoral Candidate at the prestigious College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia earning a PhD in Veterinary Pathology, did post-graduate training in molecular immunology and toxicology at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and completed undergraduate degrees (Biology, Psychology) at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). As a Blue Key Honor Society member, Rich is part of the top 0.1% of undergraduate and graduate students across the country recognized for outstanding leadership, academic excellence, and community service.

Rich believes in the importance of community. As the Mid-SE Director of Outreach with the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students (NAGPS), Rich traveled to Washington, DC to speak to Congress on behalf of graduate students from across the nation. In 2011, he received a Graduate Student’s Association (GSA) Certificate of Leadership Excellence for leading outreach initiatives that more than tripled student involvement in the GSA.

Experience

Swan Diagnostics, Ltd. (Goshen, NY) (2011)

Laboratory Director, Veterinary Diagnostics

• Established a robust, scalable veterinary diagnostic laboratory in less than 12 weeks.

• Reduced operating costs by more than 28%.

University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine

Anatomy and Radiology Department (Athens, GA) (2008 - 2011)

Laboratory Manager, Immunology

• Established a GLP compliant tissue culture and cell analysis lab in less than 10 weeks.

• Negotiated a 30% reduction in acquisition costs while expanding capability.

• Implemented inventory and account controls creating a budget surplus of 20%.

Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine

Center for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Diseases (Blacksburg, VA) (2004 - 2008)

Laboratory Supervisor, Immunotoxicology

• Involved in over 30 studies in toxicology, immunology, and clinical research.

• Designed data control and analysis systems reducing turn-around time by 80%.

• Clinical Education: Trained DVM and MD students in clinical lab science.

Education

Graduate Ph.D. Veterinary Pathology (Immunology, Toxicology) University of Georgia College of Vet-Med, Athens, GA. (2008-2012 exp.)

Graduate Post-Graduate Training (Immunology) Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA. (2005-2008)

Undergraduate B. S. Psychology Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, VA. (2002-2004)

Undergraduate B. S. Biology Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, VA. (2000-2004)

Inducted, Blue Key National Honor Society, University of Georgia (2011)

Certificate of Leadership Excellence, Graduate Student Association, University of Georgia (2011)

Presidential Nominee, Presidential Management Fellowship, University of Georgia (2011)

Invited Speaker, Graduate Speaker Series, Virginia Tech (2008)

First Generation College Graduate, Virginia Tech (2004)

Recipient, David B. Steinman Scholarship, Virginia Tech (2002)

Inducted, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Virginia Tech (2001)

Dean's List, Virginia Tech (2000)

City Scholastic Achievement Award, City of Chesapeake, VA (1998)

Publications: 10 papers (+3 in script) in peer-reviewed journals, 5 acknowledgements, more than 30 presentations at professional conferences; active interest in Immunologic disease and clinical laboratory science.

Teaching: 4+ years in clinical labs (class size of 100+ D.V.M. or M.D. students).

Software: 20+ years, expert level in MS Office Applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Access, and Visio), Geneious, Cytoscape, Cyflogic, CFlow, ImageJ, NIS Elements 3.2, GIMP, JMP 9.0, ERP implementation, and Orchardsoft Harvest laboratory information systems (LIS).

Certificates and Specialty Training

Certified Management Professional (CMP)

CMPI Institute, Clifton, NJ (2010)

ISL Global Leadership

Global Leadership Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA (2010)

Radiology and Radiation Safety

College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA (2009)

Managing Laboratory Safety

Department of Environmental Health and Safety Services, Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA (2008)

PADI Open Water Diver

Professional Association of Diving Instructors, Dive Quarters, Virginia Beach, VA (2008)

Professional Memberships

American Association of Veterinary Immunologists

American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology (pending)

Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Society of Toxicology

Additional Activities

Student Leadership, Nationwide

Director, Outreach, (2010/2011) National Association of Graduate-Professional Students

Chief of Staff, (2010/2011) Graduate Student Association, University of Georgia

Senator, Vet-Med, (2010/2011) Student Government Association, University of Georgia

Chairman, Social, (2007/2008) BMVS Graduate Student Association, Virginia Tech

Editor-in-Chief, (2000) Spectrum 5 Magazine, Tidewater Community College

Soccer, Virginia Tech

Captain, (2002/2003), MVP (2006/2007) Two Time Intramural Champion

MVP (2007), Captain (2008), Two Time Blacksburg Adult League Cup Winner

Licensed Coach (1999-present), United States Soccer Federation (USSF)

Certified Referee (1998-2006), Federation International Football Association (FIFA)

Collegiate Times, Virginia Tech

Syndicated Regular Columnist, (2002-2003) Collegiate Times Virginia Tech.

International Travel, Worldwide, 20,000 - 40,000 miles annually (1988 to present)

Extensive travel in the United States (15+ years), Ireland (12+ years), Italy (12+ months), the United Kingdom (12+ months); France, Spain, Greece, Brazil, Cyprus, the Bahamas, and Jamaica.

Selection of Laboratory Skills and Assays

• Bio-safety Level 1 & 2 (BSL2) Certification

• CLIA and Regulatory Compliance

• Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) Compliance

• AALAC Small Animal Care and Handling

• Autoimmune Prone and Immuno-compromised Murine Models

• Wild and Production Avian Species

• Radiography

• Phlebotomy

• Microscopic Tissue and Cellular Pathology

• Aseptic Technique

• Tissue Culture (from in vitro and In vivo sources)

• Plasmid Transfection

• Bacterial Culture and Identification

• Viral Propagation

• Electron Microscopy • Confocal Microscopy

• Multi-color Flow Cytometric Analysis (FACS)

• Cell Viability, Toxicology and Proliferation Assays

• Lab scale RNA, DNA and Protein Purification

• Enzymatic Activity Assays

• Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbant Assay (ELISA)

• AlphaLISA Immunoassay

• Chemiluminescent & Fluorescent Immunoblotting (Western Blot) Analysis

• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

• Real-time (quantitative) PCR

• Whole Genome Analysis and Bioinformatics

• Small Nuclear Polymorphism (SNP) Analysis

• Multi-Species Gene identity Analysis

Selection of Business Skills and Proficiencies

• Website Development

• Software Development

• Database Management

• IT Infrastructure Maintenance

• Method Development

• Business Process Improvement • Budgeting

• Purchase Negotiation

• Personnel Management and Training

• Policy Formation

• Coalition Building

• Political Savvy

Publications

Kerr, R., Hurley, D., Krunkosky, T., and Gogal Jr., R. Lead (Pb) induces aberrant major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) surface expression on RAW 264.7 monocytes via dysregulation of MHC-II+ compartment (MIIC) exocytosis. In Vitro Toxicology (in script)

Holladay, J, Kerr, R, Holladay, S, Meldrum, B, Williams, S, and Gogal Jr., R. Changes in intestinal flora associated with oral lead acetate exposure in Leghorn Chickens. Toxicological Sciences (in script)

Holladay, J, Kerr, R, Jarrett, T, Holladay, S, Selcer, B, Meldrum, B, Williams, S, Tannenbaum, L, and Gogal Jr., R. Oral lead pellet exposure in Pigeons. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (in script)

Kerr, R, Holladay, S, Selcer, B, Meldrum, B, Williams, S, Tannenbaum, L, Holladay, J, and Gogal Jr., R. Production status effects lead absorption in sub-chronic Lead oral exposure in Northern Bobwhite quail. Toxicological Sciences (in press)

Kerr, R, Jarrett, T, Holladay, S, Selcer, B, Meldrum, B, Williams, S, Tannenbaum, L, Holladay, J, and Gogal Jr., R. (2011) Oral lead bullet fragment exposure in Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus). Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (in press)

Gogal, R.M., Jr., Kerr, R., Kingsley, D.H., Granata, L.A., LeRoith, T., Holliman, S.D., and Flick, G.J., Jr. (2011) High Hydrostatic Pressure Processing of Murine Norovirus 1(MNV-1) Contaminated Oysters Inhibits Oral Infection in STAT-1 -/- Deficient Female Mice. Journal of Food Protection 74(2):209-214.

Kerr, R, Jarrett, T, Holladay, S, Selcer, B, Meldrum, B, Williams, S, Tannenbaum, L, Holladay, J, and Gogal Jr., R. (2010) Lead pellet retention time and associated toxicity in northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 29(12):2869-2874.

Mustafa A., Holladay S., Goff M., Witonsky S., Kerr R., Weinstein D., Karpuzoglu-Belgin E., Gogal Jr R. (2009) Developmental exposure to 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin alters postnatal T cell phenotypes and T cell function and exacerbates autoimmune lupus in 24-week-old SNF1 mice. Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology 85:828-836.

Kerr R., Kim S., Ahmed S., Holladay S., Gogal Jr R. (2008) Development of a Storage-Compatible Microtiter Plate-Based Technique for Lymphocyte Proliferation. Journal of Immunoassay and Immunochemistry 29:128-142.

Mustafa A., Holladay S., Goff M., Witonsky S., Kerr R., Reilly C., Sponenberg D., Gogal Jr R. (2008) An enhanced postnatal autoimmune profile in 24 week-old C57BL/6 mice developmentally exposed to TCDD. Toxicology and applied pharmacology 232:51-59.

Mustafa A., Gillmeister L., Hernandez W., Larsen C., Witonsky S., Holladay S., Kerr R., Ahmed S., Santo A., Gogal Jr R. (2008) Viability and Function in Lymphocytes Cultured from the Horse, Chicken, and Mouse: Effects of Different Leukocyte Enrichment Techniques. Journal of Immunoassay and Immunochemistry 29:370-389.

Mustafa A., Holladay S., Goff M., Kerr R., Witonsky S., Gogal R. (2007) Evidence for immune dysfunction and postnatal autoimmune disease following developmental exposure to TCDD. Toxicol. Sci 96:283–284.

Brummer T., Phillips R., Kerr R., Gogal R., Ahmed A. (2007) Subcutaneous 21-day Administration of 17alpha-ethinyl estradiol or 17beta-estradiol alters the thymus of 8-week-old C57BL/6 Mice. The Journal of Immunology 178.

Acknowledgments

Holladay, S., Mustafa, A., Gogal, R. Prenatal TCDD in mice increases adult autoimmunity. Reproductive Toxicology (in press)

Mustafa, A., Holladay, S., Witonsky, S., Zimmerman, K., Reilly, C., Sponenberg, D., Weinstein, D., Karpuzoglu, E., and Gogal Jr, R. (2009) Gestational Exposure to 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin Disrupts B-Cell Lymphopoiesis and Exacerbates Autoimmune Disease in 24-Week-Old SNF1 Mice. Toxicological Sciences 112(1):133-143.

Gogal R, Holladay, S. (2008) Perinatal TCDD exposure and the adult onset of autoimmune disease. Journal of Immunotoxicology 5(4):413-418.

Weinstein, D., Gogal Jr, R., Mustafa, A., Prater, R., and Holladay, S. (2008) Mid-gestation Exposure of C57BL/6 Mice to 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin Causes Postnatal Morphologic Changes in the Spleen and Liver. Toxicologic Pathology 36(5):705-713.

Brummer, T. Phillips, R., Gogal, Jr. R., and Ansar Ahmed, S. (2008) Subacute oral administration of low dose 17β-estradiol or 17agr-ethinyl estradiol does not markedly alter the immune system of young adult and aged C57BL/6 mice. Toxicological & Environmental Chemistry 90:421 - 435.

Selected Presentations and Abstracts

Kerr, R. Lead (Pb) induces MHC-II and T-cell regulatory co-receptor surface expression on murine monocytes in vitro. 11th Annual UGA GSA Interdisciplinary Research Conference (UGA 2011)

Kerr, R, Jarrett, T, Holladay, S, Selcer, B, Meldrum, B, Williams, S, Tannenbaum, L, Holladay, J, and Gogal Jr., R. Acute lead bullet fragment exposure in northern bobwhite quail (colinus virginianus). Society of Toxicology (SOT 2011)

Kerr, R, Jarrett, T, Holladay, S, Selcer, B, Meldrum, B, Williams, S, Tannenbaum, L, Holladay, J, and Gogal Jr., R. Acute lead bullet fragment exposure in northern bobwhite quail (colinus virginianus) caused dose and duration dependant weight loss, hemolysis, hypoproteinemia, and arrested heme synthesis. Symposium of Veterinary Medicine Research Day (SVM 2010)

Kerr, R. Lead potentially induces MHC-II surface expression on murine monocytes by dysregulating MIIC exocytosis. Departmental Prospectus Presentation (DPP 2010)

Kerr, R, Jarrett, T, Holladay, S, Selcer, B, Meldrum, B, Williams, S, Tannenbaum, L, Holladay, J, and Gogal Jr., R. Acute Oral Lead Pellet Exposure In Northern Bobwhite Quail Altered Hematologic profile, Reduced Weight Gain, And Increased Mortality. Society of Toxicology (SOT 2010)

Kerr, R, Jarrett, T, Holladay, S, Selcer, B, Meldrum, B, Williams, S, Tannenbaum, L, Holladay, J, and Gogal Jr., R. Acute Oral Lead Pellet Exposure In Northern Bobwhite Quail Altered Hematologic profile, Reduced Weight Gain, And Increased Mortality. Interdisciplinary Toxicology Retreat, Athens, GA. (ITR 2010)

Gogal R, Mustafa A, Holliday S, Goff M, Witosnsky S, Kerr R, Reilly CM, Spondnberg D, and Weinstein D. Developmental tetracholodibenxo-ppdioxidn exposure modulates postnatal lupus in SNF1 mice. Biosymposia: Lupus Autoimmunity, La Jolla, CA. (BLA 2008)

Coutermarsh-Ott, S., Mustafa, A., Holladay, S., Goff, M., Witonsky, S., Kerr, R., Reilly, C., Sponenberg, P., and Gogal, Jr., R.M. Developmental TCDD Exposure Induces Autoimmune Lupus in 36-Week-old C57BL/6 Mice. The 2008 Merck-Merial NIH Veterinary Scholars Symposium. (NVSS 2008)

Manari, A., Mustafa, A., Holladay, S., Goff, M., Kerr, R., Reilly, C., Sponenberg, P., and Gogal, Jr., R.M. Exacerbation of Lupus in 36-Week-Old SNF1 mice prenatally Exposed to TCDD. The 2008 Merck-Merial NIH Veterinary Scholars Symposium. (VSS 2008)

Kerr, R. Methods Development; The optimization of techniques in immune-based research. The Virginia Tech Graduate Life Center Speaker Series (GSS 2008)

Holladay, S., Mustafa, A., Goff, M., Witonsky, S., Kerr, R., Reilly, C., Sponenberg, P., Gogal Jr., R. M. Evidence for postnatal autoimmune disease following developmental exposure to TCDD in 24 week old C57/BL6 mice. Annual Society of Toxicology Immunotoxicology Poster Session (SOT 2008)

Amjad, M., Holladay, S., Goff, M., Witonsky, S., Kerr, R., Reilly, C., Sponenberg, P., Gogal Jr., R. M. Exacerbation of Postnatal autoimmune disease in 24 week old SNF1 Lupus Nephritis mice perinatally exposed to TCDD. Annual Society of Toxicology Immunotoxicology Poster Session (SOT 2008)

Gogal, Jr., R. M., Heather, G., Mustafa, A., Kerr, R. Holladay, S. Perinatal TCDD exposure modulates B-cell development in juvenile C57/BL6 mice. Annual Society of Toxicology Immunotoxicology Poster Session (SOT 2008)

Brummer, T., Phillips, R., Kerr, R., Gogal, R., Ansar Ahmed, S. Subcutaneous 21-day administration of 17a-ethinyl estradiol or 17b-estradiol alters the thymus of 8-week-old C57BL/6 mice. The 94th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Immunologists, Miami, Florida. (AAI 2007)

Holladay, S., Mustafa, A., Goff, M., Witonsky, S., Kerr, R., and Gogal, Jr., R.M. Evidence For Immune Dysregulation And Postnatal Autoimmune Disease Following Developmental Exposure To TCDD. The 2007 Annual Society of Toxicology Dioxin Workshop (SOT 2007)

Mustafa, A., Goff, M., Witonsky, S., Holladay, S., Kerr, R., and Gogal, Jr., R.M. Evidence For Immune Dysregulation And Postnatal Autoimmune Disease Following Developmental Exposure To TCDD. The 2007 Annual Society of Toxicology Immunotoxicology Platform Discussion (SOT 2007)

Goff, M., Mustafa, A., Witonsky, S., Holladay, S., Kerr, R., and Gogal, Jr., R.M. Evidence For Immune Dysregulation And Postnatal Autoimmune Disease Following Developmental Exposure To TCDD. The 2007 Annual Society of Toxicology Immunotoxicology Poster Session (SOT 2007)

Brummer, T., Phillips, R., Gogal, R., Kerr, R., Ansar Ahmed, S. Subacute exposure of oral 17b-estradiol and 17a-ethinyl estradiol does not appear to influence the reproductive and immune systems of juvenile and aged C57BL/6 mice. Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine 2nd Annual Research Recognition Day (VCOM 2007).

Mustafa, A., Goff, M., Witonsky, S., Holladay, S., Kerr, R., and Gogal, Jr., R.M. Evidence For Immune Dysregulation And Postnatal Autoimmune Disease Following Developmental Exposure To TCDD. The Dean’s Forum on the Environmental, Virginia College for Osteopathic Medicine (DFE 2007)

Mustafa, A., Goff, M., Witonsky, S., Holladay, S., Kerr, R., and Gogal, Jr., R.M. Evidence For Immune Dysregulation And Postnatal Autoimmune Disease Following Developmental Exposure To TCDD. Research Days, Edward Via Virginia College for Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM 2006)

Goff, M., Mustafa, A., Kerr, R., Holladay, S., and Gogal, Jr., R.M. Effects of latent in utero TCDD exposure in Post-Natal C57BL/6 and SNF1 Murine offspring. Research Days, Edward Via Virginia College for Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM 2006)

Foltz, C., Gogal Jr., R. M., Monroe, E., Zimmer, K., Kerr, R. Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia in Canines. Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program’s Poster Sessions and Presentations, Virginia Tech (MAOP 2006)

Gogal Jr., R. M., Mustafa, A., Goff, M., Kerr, R., Holladay, S., Prater, M., Elucidating a Potential Role of TCDD in Inducing Autoimmunity. Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM 2006)

Kerr, R., Caldwell, D., Ameiss, K., Hulet, M., McElroy, A., Gogal Jr., R. M. In-Ovo Incubation Temperature Affects Post-Natal Immune Development in Broiler Chickens. National Capital Area Conference, Society of Toxicology (NCAC-SOT 2006)

Wright, T. C., Kerr, R., Ameiss, K., Jenkins, M., Caldwell, D., McElroy, A., and Gogal Jr., R. M. A Preliminary Report On The Immune Changes Observed Following Inoculation with an Eimeria Protein Isolate in Broiler Chickens. Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program’s Poster Sessions, Virginia Tech (MAOP 2005)

Kerr, R., Caldwell, D., Ameiss, K., Hulet, M., McElroy, A., Gogal Jr., R. M. In-Ovo Incubation Temperature Affects Post-Natal Immune Development in Broiler Chickens. Research Days, Virginia College for Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM 2005)

Kerr, R., Ameiss, K., Jenkins, M., Caldwell, D., McElroy, A., Gogal Jr, R. M. A Preliminary Report on the Immune Changes Observed Following Inoculation with an Eimeria Protein Isolate In Broiler Chickens. North Eastern Conference on Avian Disease, Cornell University (77th NECAD 2005)

Belmonte, F., Gogal Jr., R.M., McElroy, A.P., Civco, I., Kerr, R., and Larsen, C. T. The Influence of Embryonic Incubation Temperature on Immune Competency in Commercial Broilers. Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program’s Poster Sessions, Virginia Tech (MAOP 2004)

Kerr, R,. Hoffman, K. The dog, the mouse and the fish? Conditioning with lights. Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech (VTDP 2003).

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