Conference Speakers
John Esker PhD
Interdisciplinary Scientist, Division of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Countermeasures, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, Department of Health and Human Services
John Esker is an interdisciplinary scientist serving as a Project Officer and Subject Matter Expert for Advanced Research and Development contracts in BARDA’s Radiological and Nuclear Countermeasures program. His primary focus is establishing nonclinical models, repurposing of already approved drugs for other uses as medical countermeasures, and development of new medical countermeasures for Acute Radiation Syndrome. He joined BARDA in 2009 and came to the federal government after serving 15 years in drug development and associated pharmaceutical standards.
Previously at the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), Dr. Esker served as the Director of the Reference Standards Laboratory and in other roles for the development of the quality standards published in the USP/NF. While at Abbott Laboratories, he developed analytical methods and quality specifications for early to mid-Phase developmental drugs and their formulations. Dr. Esker gained his post-doc experience in medicinal chemistry at Wayne State University as a Merck fellow after receiving his PhD from Texas A&M University and BA from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
