PD & Fellow – Gryphon Scientific

Daniil Davydoff

Director of Operations

Daniil Davydoff

Director of Operations

Daniil Davydoff is a strategy and operations expert with a MA in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins University – School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Prior to joining Gryphon, Daniil was Director of Research Management and Operations at geopolitics consultancy Eurasia Group, where he oversaw research processes, policies, systems, and metrics. Previously, he developed and led the intelligence service line at AT-RISK International, a security services firm. Daniil is also a former columnist for Security Magazine and has written on management and risk for a variety of other publications. At Gryphon, he oversees internal business operations and communication, execution of complex internal projects, and process efficiency improvements across the company.

Daniil is a lifelong violin player with a BA in Music. While he has performed in many fine orchestras, his proudest accomplishments include recording on a top electronic dance music (EDM) label and fake playing for a major network TV show.

- LinkedIn

Dr. Gautham Venugopalan

Bioengineer

Dr. Gautham Venugopalan

Bioengineer

Dr. Gautham Venugopalan is a bioengineer with a BS in mechanical engineering from Rose-Hulman and a PhD in bioengineering from UC-Berkeley. His work focuses on building global capacity to address topics such as emerging technology, laboratory biosafety and biosecurity, cybersecurity, and dual use research risks. He also has strong interests in data science and science policy, and has provided technical leadership to several emerging technology assessments and research efforts that inform strategic investments that help to maximize the benefits of research while minimizing risks. Dr. Venugopalan previously served as a diplomat, working to build research collaborations between U.S. and international scientists and develop U.S. policies on issues such as data sharing and diversity and equity in science.

Gautham’s favorite basketball fact, analytical projection, and meme, are all “Bucks in six”. He aspires to put it on a license plate someday…for the culture of course.

Ret. Col. Robert Stephan

Colonel Robert Stephan (USAF RET)

Retired Air Force Col and Assistant Secretary

Colonel Robert Stephan (USAF RET)

Retired Air Force Colonel and Assistant Secretary

During a 24-year Air Force career, Col Stephan held a variety of key positions including mission commander during Operation Desert Storm. With the activation of DHS in 2003, he served as Special Assistant to the Secretary and then Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection. He led the development of the National Incident Management System, the National Response Plan, and the National Infrastructure Response Plan—key documents that guide the nation’s emergency response and recovery strategies. At Gryphon, he continues to work on emergency preparedness and infrastructure protection for a variety of government and private sector clients.

In his off time, Bob likes to experience the wonderful scenery, history, culture and people that exist 55 miles and 150 years due West of Washington, D.C.

- All-Hazards Preparedness, Response, and CBRN Defense Practice Area

Dr. Mark Kazmierczak

Microbiologist

Dr. Mark Kazmierczak

Microbiologist

Dr. Mark Kazmierczak is a molecular biologist with a special interest in understanding and mitigating risks that may come with advances in the life sciences. Throughout his career at Gryphon, Dr. Kazmierczak has led quantitative and qualitative risk assessments to support government decision making on issues of biosecurity, biodefense, and international science and technology engagement. A specific interest of Dr. Kazmierczak’s is identifying how global developments in emerging biotechnologies can affect US economic and national security. In recent work, he has assessed potential threats to the U.S. in the fields of biotechnology, genomics, and global health security using advanced data analysis and visualization of publicly available data and developed best practices for mitigating forced and unauthorized transfer of knowledge and technology from research institutions. Dr. Kazmierczak earned a PhD in microbiology from Cornell University and was an FDA Commissioner’s Fellow prior to joining Gryphon.

Mark is an award-winning homebrewer whose ESB (extra special bitter) was brewed and sold by the brewery that sponsored the competition. Always civically involved, he also served as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, an elected position in D.C. government.

Dr. Jennifer Corbin

Biomedical Scientist

Dr. Jennifer Corbin

Biomedical Scientist

Dr. Jennifer Corbin is a biomedical scientist who has worked on scores of projects to investigate the health effects of CBRN agents and medical countermeasures (MCMs) used for prevention and treatment. Her work has investigated the effect of particle size, period of exposure, timing of medical countermeasure administration, the effects of MCM non-compliance, and treatment side effects. Considered a subject matter expert in the prevention and treatment of CBRN agents, she is a co-author of a technical manual for DTRA describing current practices in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.

Jennifer is a farm owner in her home state of Iowa. If you care to learn about soil fertility, she can talk at length about the effects of set aside, no-till farming, and corn-soybean rotation.

- All-Hazards Preparedness and Response & CBRN Defense Practice Area
- NCBI Bibliography

Dr. Emily Billings

Microbiologist

Dr. Emily Billings

Microbiologist

Dr. Emily Billings is a microbiologist with expertise in the mechanisms through which microbes and the body communicate to drive health and disease. An advocate of multidisciplinary research, her doctoral studies on host-pathogen interactions at the University of Virginia required expertise in bacteriology, immunology, cell biology, advanced imaging, and molecular biology techniques. At Gryphon, Dr. Billings focuses on projects with data management, outreach, and science communications components that enable the application of research to policy and public health challenges. She combines scientific expertise with design skills to create meaningful end products to communicate findings and support decision-making for technical and non-technical audiences. She has a particular interest in infectious disease and biosurveillance analytics and data visualization.

Emily has a penchant for graphic design, watercolor, and resin art. A once and future midfielder, she’s also been seen acing set plays on the soccer field.

- Data Management & Communications Practice Area
- LinkedIn