Edward S. Balkovic PhD

Dr. Balkovic is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Dept of Cell & Molecular Biology at the University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, United States. His experience includes over 40 years in Microbiology & Virology; over 27 years in the Biologics, Biopharmaceutical, & Biomedical industries; and over 18 years at Genzyme. He established the microbial identification laboratory serving Genzyme's QC Microbiology testing labs. Dr. Balkovic now conducts investigations, assessments, special projects, and training in the area of Pharmaceutical Microbiology throughout Genzyme and Sanofi. He has conducted numerous studies evaluating new and improved methods for microbial detection and identification.

He received his doctorate in Microbiology and Immunology at the Influenza Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. Prior to joining Genzyme, Dr. Balkovic held various positions in Contamination Control, Technical Support, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, and Research & Development at both emerging biotechnologies and established biologics companies. He has extensive experience and training as a Clinical Virologist and Microbiologist. Previously, he supervised the National Virology Reference Lab serving all of the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs 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 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, Microbial Forensics, Biowarfare & Bioterrorism, and Biotechnology Product Development & Evaluation.