Smithers Avanza Bioanalytical Services Names Two New Directors

March 1, 2018 |

3 min read

Smithers Avanza named Nadia Kulagina, PhD to the position of Director of Science, Bioanalytical Services and Brian Hoffpauir, PhD to the role of Director of Operations, Bioanalytical Services.

GAITHERSBURG, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Smithers Avanza, a boutique contract research organization (CRO) supporting the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, named Nadia Kulagina, PhD to the position of Director of Science, Bioanalytical Services and Brian Hoffpauir, PhD to the role of Director of Operations, Bioanalytical Services.

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Dr. Nadia Kulagina (Photo: Business Wire)

“Over the last few years, we have grown a great deal in step with our clients’ demands for service,” said Ira DuBey, Executive Vice President, Bioanalytical Services Division, Smithers Avanza. “These changes have created new opportunities for proven leaders such as Dr. Kulagina and Dr. Hoffpauir to take on new challenges and responsibilities. These promotions are well-deserved and I am confident that Nadia and Brian are the right leaders to guide Smithers Avanza Bioanalytical Services for years to come.”

Dr. Kulagina possesses 15 years of experience in ligand binding assay development for large molecules and pathogens on various platforms (ELISA, ECL, RIA, Cell-based, Fluorescence, Luminex and microelectrode arrays). Prior to Smithers Avanza, she held the position of Senior Lead Principal Investigator at Covance Labs. Dr. Kulagina earned her undergraduate degree in chemistry from Moscow State University, Russia, and PhD in Chemistry from University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. She has authored and co-authored 29 meeting presentation abstracts, and 22 publications, including one patent.

As a certified Project Manager, Dr. Brian Hoffpauir has over 7 years of experience developing and validating analytical immunoassays on multiple platforms (ELISA, ECL, Gyrolab™) and has also served as principal investigator for bioanalytical studies supporting GLP and non-GLP studies. He has authored multiple posters and invited-presentations at industry conferences including AAPS meetings, APA Short Course on Bioanalytical Considerations for the Clinical Development of Antibody Drug Conjugates, and the Gyrolab User Seminar. Dr. Hoffpauir obtained a B.S. degree in Biochemistry and a PhD in Neuroscience from Louisiana State University. He completed his postdoctoral research at West Virginia University Health Science Center where he focused on synapse formation during early development. Prior to coming to Smithers Avanza, he was a Senior Group Leader at PPD Laboratories in Richmond, VA.

For more information about the Smithers Avanza portfolio of services, visit http://www.smithersavanza.com/.

About Smithers Avanza

Smithers Avanza is a contract research organization (CRO) supporting the pharmaceutical industry. Our scientists have expertise in large molecule bioanalysis, assay development, validation, and specimen analysis at our GLP- and GCP-compliant and CLIA-certified laboratory. Smithers Avanza Bioanalytical Services Division supports the development of biologics and vaccines from discovery through phase IV, with expertise that includes bioassays and high sensitivity assays. The services focus primarily on development, validation, and specimen analysis for PK/TK, ADA, bioassays, and biomarker assays. Smithers Avanza also offers preclinical toxicology and vaccine testing at our AAALAC accredited facilities.