Conference Speakers

Felice D’Agnillo is a Principal Investigator in the Office of Blood Research
and Review (OBRR) in the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
(CBER). Dr. D’Agnillo heads a vascular biology research program that studies
the interactions of transfusion products and microbial pathogens with the
vascular system. Dr. D’Agnillo, an expert in hemoglobin- and heme-based
products, also serves as a Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC)
reviewer of regulatory applications for transfusion-related biologics.
Dr. D’Agnillo obtained his B.Sc. Honors and Ph.D. degrees in Physiology from
McGill University, Montreal, Canada, where he began to investigate
strategies to improve the safety of hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers
(HBOCs). His doctoral studies led to a patent for a novel
hemoglobin-antioxidant polymer to counter free radical reactions that
mediate some of the toxicities of HBOCs. Dr. D’Agnillo then joined the
laboratory of Dr. Abdu Alayash at CBER/FDA as a National of Institutes of
Health Fogarty Fellow, where he continued to study the impact of hemoglobin
oxidative reactions in biological settings. He was subsequently appointed as
a Principal Investigator to lead a vascular biology program at CBER, where
he twice received the CBER Scientific Achievement Award.
His primary areas of interest include: 1) preclinical safety evaluation of
blood-derived products using biomarkers of vascular and oxidative stress in
animal models of endothelial dysfunction and 2) vascular biomarkers of
microbial pathogenesis. The latter research reflects the need to better
understand how microbial pathogens in contaminated biologics or from
pandemic and emerging infectious diseases or acts of bioterrorism (e.g.
COVID-19, influenza, anthrax) influence the function and integrity of the
vascular system. Together, these studies aim to improve the science-based
regulation of current and anticipated therapies and promote the design of
safer and more efficacious products and novel diagnostics.