Robert Blakemore, Ph.D.

Robert Blakemore, Ph.D. has a strong background in molecular microbiology and molecular diagnostics. Robert began their career as a Research & Teaching Specialist V at the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), where they gained expertise in analyzing drug-resistance detection results and developed a qPCR-based molecular beacon assay for tuberculosis detection. Robert then worked as an Assistant Research Coordinator at UMDNJ, continuing to evaluate commercial diagnostics and specialize in rifampicin resistance detection.

Blakemore later joined Rutgers University as a Research Coordinator, focusing on the development and FDA approval of Cepheid's Xpert MTB/RIF assay for tuberculosis diagnostics. Robert also collaborated with the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) and Cepheid Inc on various diagnostic development projects.

In 2014, Blakemore joined Tufts University as a Graduate Student, where they completed their Ph.D. in Molecular Microbiology. Robert'sthesis project investigated the mechanism of HIV-1's specific packaging of dimerized viral genomes, and they also worked on projects involving single-molecule FRET measurements of CD4 binding to HIV-1's glycoprotein Env and small molecule inhibitors of HIV-1 entry. During their time at Tufts, Blakemore built and optimized an ALEX capable smFRET microscope.

Most recently, Blakemore has joined Orbital Therapeutics as a Senior Scientist in mRNA Sciences in 2023. Prior to this, they worked at ElevateBio, initially as a Scientist I and later as a Scientist II in Molecular & Viral Vector Biology.

Robert Blakemore, Ph.D. obtained their Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology/Political Science from Bucknell University between 2004 and 2008. Later, they pursued their Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Molecular Microbiology at Tufts University from 2014 to 2020.