Richard Somiari

About Richard Somiari

With over 24 years of leadership experience in the life sciences and related sectors, I bring a robust combination of scientific expertise, strategic insight, and operational excellence. My career is characterized by a commitment to driving innovation through effective strategic planning, operational management, and the development of high-performing teams that consistently deliver results across complex technological landscapes. My areas of experience include microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biocatalysis, proteomics, genomics, and biomarker discovery. I have a proven history of conceptualizing, launching, and managing life science ventures, translational research initiatives, and DNA and protein forensic centers. My leadership encompasses both for-profit and non-profit organizations, where I have successfully guided cross-functional teams and business initiatives. I have held key roles such as Founding Member, Founding Scientific Director, Chief Scientific Officer, and Chief Operating Officer at Windber Research Institute (now operating as Chan Soon-Shiong Institute of Molecular Medicine) and Adj Professor positions in universities. Currently, I serve as President and Chief Scientific Officer of ITSI-Biosciences, LLC, and as Managing Business Partner at General Enzyme Diagnostics. As a consultant, I have played an instrumental role in establishing and managing research programs and DNA biobanks for military and civilian use, developing specialized disease biobanks for governmental and academic entities, and establishing forensic programs for state governments. My expertise also extends to business development, new product introduction in diverse markets, and providing scientific and operational consultancy to government agencies and academic institutions. I am experienced in regulatory and quality strategy development, including leading organizations through ISO 17025, ISO 13485, CAP, and CLIA certifications. I am available to consult and assist with strategic leadership, planning, and to provide visionary and commercially focused guidance across the life sciences and related sectors, with emphasis on initiating, managing, and advancing innovation, business development, biobanking, facility design, workflow process optimization, and expansion into new, mature and emerging markets such as those in Africa. My core capabilities include C-Suite Leadership, Strategic Planning, International Business Development, Commercialization, New Market Entry, Omics Technologies, Biobanking, Biomedical Research, Quality, Cross-Continental Collaboration.

Experience

1. Scientific Director, Dna & Protein Forensic Program

   Itsi-Biosciences

   Jan 2007 — Present · Johnstown, PA, US

Education

• Obafemi Awolowo University

  PgD, MSc, Food Science & Technology,

  1987 — 1989

• MIT Sloan School of Management

  Certificate , Finance for the Technical Executive

  2002 — 2002

• Lodz University of Technology

  PhD, Biochemistry

  1993 — 1997

• University of Strathclyde

  Pre Doctoral Research Fellow, Molecular Biology

  1996 — 1997

• Rivers State University

  BSc, Applied Biology, Microbiology Option

  1980 — 1984

Skills

• Biotechnology
• Sequence Analysis
• Protein Chemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Biomarkers
• Commercialization
• Sequencing
• Proteomics
• Dna
• Vaccines
• Genomics
• Life Sciences
• Bioinformatics
• Computational Biology
• Qpcr
• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Dna Sequencing
• Biopharmaceuticals
• Immunoassays
• Mass Spectrometry
• Dna & Protein Forensics
• Protein Expression
• Assay Development
• Cancer
• Lifesciences
• Genetics