Nailah Orr

Background

About Nailah Orr

I completed myPhD. in Neuroscience and Zoology at Michigan State University, under the guidance of Dr. Bob Hollingworth, with an emphasis on neuropharmacology and neurobiochemistry. I then completed two post-docs, again at MSU; one in electrophysiology in Dr. Ralph Pax’s lab (Department of Zoology) and the other in Dr. M. Contreras’ lab (Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology). Prior to coming to the US, I completed my MSc. from the University of Waterloo, in Canada with Dr. Roger Downer and my BSc. from the University of Western Ontario, also in Canada with Dr. John Steele. In 1992, I joined the Discovery Biochemistry Group, in the Agrochemical division of DOW (Dow AgroSciences) in Indianapolis, IN. During my career in industry, I have performed and guided research in various aspects of the biology, biochemistry and molecular biology/genetics of a number of Discovery-based insecticidal actives. I was also a lead scientist involved in the identification of novel insecticidal actives as well as their unique modes of action. In addition, I pioneered and led Dow AgroSciences’ efforts to establish and implement a number of high-throughput screens for key insecticidal target sites. I was also a key developer of various whole-organism and cell-based high-throughput screens. My expertise in high-throughput screening continues to be requested for various projects (insect, pharmaceutical and animal health) and this has been reflected in my coordinating one of the first screening symposia (for the Society of Biomolecular Screening). One of my passions, while at Dow AgroSciences was to better characterize the target site for Dow AgroSciences’ premier insecticide, spinosad. The result of this work on spinosad’s mode of action has provided scientists with a novel receptor subtype for further research and exploitation and has been very well received by experts in the field. In January of 2009, I left DAS and started YourBiolLink LLC. Specialties: neuroscience, pharmacology, biochemistry, insecticide discovery, mode of action determination, high-throughput screen development, due diligence, project management, negotiation, innovation