SC10: Development of Novel Diagnostics for Antimicrobial Resistance
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21 | DINNER, 6:45 - 9:15 PM
Wilson/Roosevelt
NEW: INSTRUCTORS:
Charles L Fromer, Diagnostics Team Leader, Diagnostics and Detection Division, Chemical and Biological Technologies Department Research and Development Directorate, Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Diane L. Dutt, PhD, PMP, Science and Technology Manager, Diagnostics and Detection Division, Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Stephen C. Francesconi, PhD, Diagnostics and Detection Division, Defense Threat Reduction Agency
ABOUT THIS COURSE
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is keenly focused on developing novel field-forward medical diagnostic systems to guide physician decision-making during patient treatment, thereby improving patient outcomes and speeding return to service. As a primary
step, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is developing assays to discriminate between bacterial-based and viral infections. Secondly, DTRA is exploring the genetic content of Select Agents to identify the resistance potential, regulation and
distribution of AMR genes and cassettes among bacteria genera, species and within clades. Thirdly, DTRA is developing multiplexed lateral flow assays as a rapid, low-cost diagnostic for field-forward applications. And lastly, DTRA is assessing agent
sensitivity to antimicrobial agents through the development of Food & Drug Administration (FDA) 510K-cleared benchtop and hand-held platforms that can identify both the infectious bacterial species and its antibiotic sensitivity profile, going
from sample to answer within 2 hours. It is through the use of these diagnostic devices that caregivers will speed triage and improve treatment of wounded warfighters.
COURSE AGENDA
6:45 Dinner & Course Introduction
Overall DoD Chemical and Biological Defense Program Science and Technology Investment Strategy for Medical Diagnostic Programs
Charles L Fromer, Diagnostics Team Leader, Diagnostics and Detection Division, Chemical and Biological Technologies Department Research and Development Directorate, Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Single Cell / Single Molecule Based Detection of Antimicrobial Susceptibility
Diane L. Dutt, PhD, PMP, Science and Technology Manager, Diagnostics and Detection Division, Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Design and Optimization Techniques for Immune Based Diagnostics
Stephen C. Francesconi, PhD, Diagnostics and Detection Division, Defense Threat Reduction Agency
9:15 End of Course
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
Diagnostic device users and developers; molecular and microbiologists; virologists; military and civilian medical professionals
INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHIES
Diane L. Dutt, PhD, PMP, Science and Technology Manager, Diagnostics and Detection Division, Defense Threat Reduction Agency
I have an academic background in bacterial genome organization, rearrangements and modifications. My previous work at the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center included live bacterial Select Agent (BSL-3) characterization and detection; Quality Assurance;
molecular assay development; aerosol detection and decontamination. Currently, I serve as a Science & Technology Manager, supporting diagnostic platform development for military diseases of interest. My portfolio includes genome sequence characterization
and gene expression, identification of volatile organic compounds in breath indicative of infection and antibiotic susceptibility, hand-held rapid diagnostics for low resource settings, rapid ID and antibiotic susceptibility testing platforms and
the development of fully-synthetic assays for diagnostics and detection.
Stephen C. Francesconi, PhD, Diagnostics and Detection Division, Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Dr. Francesconi has been working in the field of BioDefense for the past 20 years. He is currently a Science and Technology Program Manager at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, overseeing the Multi Echelon Diagnostics Program (MEDx). He formally worked
as a Program Manager with the Geneva Foundation, supporting the Naval Medical Research Center's Biological Defense Research Directorate. He managed and ran an Ebola Diagnostic Laboratory in Liberia during the 2015 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, and
taught 25 Liberian Medical Technicians to receive, inactivate, and analyze Ebola blood and cheek samples in a safe manner.
Dr. Francesconi has been involved in international research projects in many of the Republics of the Former Soviet Union, and has taught PCR diagnostics on four continents. He enjoys international travel and is an avid woodworker in his free time.
Charles L Fromer, Diagnostics Team Leader, Diagnostics and Detection Division, Chemical and Biological Technologies Department Research and Development Directorate, Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Chuck Fromer serves as the Diagnostics Team Leader for the Diagnostics and Detection Division for Chemical and Biological Defense Research Department at the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). In this capacity Mr. Fromer overseas and manages a $40 million Research and Development (R&D) Portfolio to support warfighter capability needs for clinical diagnostics. Prior to this, Mr. Fromer founded the DTRA division that selects and funds modeling and simulation and information science and technology for CB defense. In 2016, Chuck served as the National Security Fellow on the staff of Senator Tim Scott where he advised the Senator and his staff on national security, foreign affairs, veterans issues, and worked with the SASC to draft amendments for the NDAA. His career also includes having served on active duty for 7 years as a Naval Intelligence Officer prior to working as a contractor in the private sector for 13 years. A DoD civilian he is a Level III Program Manager in the Defense Acquisition Corps. He received his BA in Russian and Eastern European Area Studies - San Diego State University and an MBA - University of New Mexico