the lab that is responsible for the identification of all microbial isolates obtained from Genzyme’s QC Microbiology testing labs. Dr. Balkovic now conducts investigations, special projects and training in the area of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, including numerous studies evaluating new and improved methods for microbial detection and identification.
He received his doctorate in Microbiology and Immunology from Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. Prior to joining Genzyme, Dr. Balkovic has held various positions in Technical Support, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs and Research & Development at both emerging biotechnology and established biologics companies. He has extensive experience as a Clinical Virologist and Microbiologist. Previously, he supervised the National Virology Reference Lab serving all of the U.S. Veterans Administration’s Medical Centers. He was also the Senior Research Virologist at a major vaccine manufacturer - Connaught Labs (now Sanofi Pasteur).
He serves on the Program Planning Committee for the Parenteral Drug Association’s (PDA) Global Pharmaceutical Microbiology Conference and he served as the Conference Co-Chair in 2009 and 2010.
Dr. Balkovic is also an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Cell & Molecular Biology at the University of Rhode Island. He teaches in the areas of Clinical Microbiology & Virology, Vaccine Development, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Biowarfare & Bioterrorism, and Biotechnology Product Development & Evaluation.