Brian Root
R&D Director | Scaling Biotech & Diagnostics Teams | $40M+ Programs | FDA Regulated Products
- Role
- Healthcare Advisory Council at Cav Angels
- Location
- Charlottesville, VA, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Brian Root
I build and scale R&D teams that deliver.I’m a senior R&D leader with 15+ years of experience building biotech and diagnostics teams, leading 20–100+ researchers, and delivering products from concept through manufacturing and regulatory authorization. I specialize in turning complex science into executed product pipelines under aggressive timelines.I’ve led $40M+ development programs, including taking a molecular diagnostic from whiteboard to FDA Emergency Use Authorization in under 24 months, while coordinating science, engineering, manufacturing, quality, regulatory, and commercial teams. My leadership style is strategic and execution-driven—owning portfolio decisions, resource allocation, risk management, and team growth—without being hands-on at the bench.What I do best- Build and lead high-performing R&D teams (startup → scale-up)- Own R&D strategy, portfolio, and operating cadence - Deliver manufacturable, customer-focused products - Stand up new capabilities (diagnostics, biomanufacturing, AI-biology, protein design)- Align science, engineering, and business to hit timelinesImpact highlights- Led 20–100+ person cross-functional R&D organizations - Managed $40M+ flagship programs - Delivered FDA-authorized diagnostic products - Improved manufacturing readiness and yield - Led strategic external partnership engagement to accelerate growth
Experience
Healthcare Advisory Council
Nov 2024 — Present · Charlottesville, VA, US
CAV Angels is a non-profit network composed of UVA alumni, faculty, parents, students, and friends of the University with the purpose of elevating the entrepreneurial ecosystem for UVA alumni by educating, connecting, funding, and mentoring the extended UVA startup community. The Healthcare Advisory Council focuses on due diligence of opportunities in the healthcare, biotech, and medtech space.
Education
Northwestern University
PhD, Materials Science and Engineering
2004 — 2009
Lafayette College
B.S., Chemical Engineering
2000 — 2004
Skills
- Science
- Biochemistry
- Protein Chemistry
- Commercialization
- Biotechnology
- Research and Development (R&D)
- Life Sciences
- Technology Transfer
- Molecular Biology
- Microfluidics
- Assay Development
- Microscopy
- Nanotechnology
- Lifesciences
- Purification
- Polymers
- Dna
- R&D
- Chemistry
Find verified contacts for anyone on LinkedIn
Unifers gives sales teams verified emails and direct dials, enriched profiles, and outreach that lands in the inbox.
Free plan included · No credit card required
This profile is compiled from publicly available professional sources. Unifers is not affiliated with or endorsed by LinkedIn. Request removal of this profile.