Bernie is a senior manager with a background in microbial physiology and over 25 years of experience in biotechnology. He is currently responsible for all Research and Development operations including Quality Assurance and Laboratory Safety and serves as Biosafety Officer of MBI. Before joining MBI, Bernie held faculty positions at Auburn University, where he was responsible for the Fermentation and Bioprocessing Laboratory, and the University of Tennessee/Oka Ridge National Laboratory. As a Senior Research Scientist at Boeing Defense and Space Group he was involved in the early development of the Environmental and Life Support Systems for the International Space Station. Bernie has spent much of his career leading research aimed at the discovery and development of microbial products, such as enzymes and specialty chemicals, as well as strain development and the use of microorgainisms for remediation of environmental contaminants. He has conducted research programs throughout the world including the United States, Mexico, Honduras, Peru, Bolivia, Thailand, Nepal and Belarus.