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Ilya Raskin, Ph.D., Founder and Chief Scientific Advisor, has 20 years of research experience in plant biology. He received a B.S. degree from Brandeis University along with the C.K. Schiff Memorial Award in Science. In 1984, he was awarded his Ph.D. by Michigan State University after winning the Earnst A. Bessey Memorial award for his research on plant biochemistry. From 1984 to 1989, Dr. Raskin worked as Research Scientist at the Shell Agricultural Chemical Company, which merged with the DuPont Co. in 1986. Dr. Raskin joined the faculty of the Biotechnology Center for Agriculture and the Environment at Cook College of Rutgers University in 1989, where he currently works as a Professor of Plant Sciences. Dr. Raskin has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Albert Shull Award from the American Society of Plant Physiologists given every two years to a young scientist for outstanding contributions to plant biology. In 1996, he was chosen as a recipient of the Rutgers University Board of Trustees Award for Excellence in Research. In 1997, Dr. Raskin was named a finalist in the Discover Magazine Awards for Technological Innovation in the area of environment. In 1999, Dr. Raskin was honored as one of only five finalists for the World Technology Award for Biotechnology for his work in developing novel molecular farming techniques for drug discovery and manufacturing. These are the technologies that are being commercialized by Phytomedics, Inc. The award, presented in association with the British Museum of Science and Technology and The Economist magazine, has been created to honor those individual leaders from around the globe who contribute most to the advancement of emerging technologies for the benefit of business and society. Dr. Raskin has achieved his international reputation through his work on salicylic acid as a signal in plant thermogenesis and disease resistance, as well as for his major role in the development of phytoremediation (the use of green plants to extract contaminants from soil and water). Phytoremediation of toxic metals is now practiced by university and industry scientists around the world as a safe and cost-effective alternative for environmental clean up. In 1996, Dr. Raskin co-founded Phytomedics, Inc. with the goal to develop an efficient process for the discovery and manufacture of valuable natural products from plants, including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and biopesticides. Dr. Raskin's research is featured in 100 major scientific publications and in many popular press articles. Institute of Scientific Information (ISI) lists Dr. Raskin among 106 most cited authors in Plant and Animal Sciences. | 