When I was director of the Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering (Code 6900), I provided scientific direction and management in the areas of complex bio/molecular systems with the aim of modifying structures in ways that led to the development of useful devices, techniques and systems of use for the Navy, DoD, and the US.. Through my leadership the initial small group that was formed in the spring of 1983 has grown to a branch (6190 -1984) and in 1991 to the division level NRL Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering (code 6900). As Director I provided strong and creative scientific and administrative leadership in the application of the tools of advanced biology to the solution of complex material problems faced by the modern Navy, DOD, and the U.S. I have pioneered the concept of “biotechnology beyond medicine” in the early late 1970’s and early 1980s. This emerging area has now been adopted by the world community and is leading to many significant technological breakthroughs for both commercial and DOD applications.

I have also led the way for the DOD in the development of dual use technology through the use of Cooperative Research Agreements and associated licensing agreements. My research in self-assembly, Nanotechnology, and advanced bio diagnostics has led to the licensing of many of my patents in micro lithography, controlled release , resequencing, as well as one of the first CRADA's in the NAVY at NRL with Shipley Co in Newton Mass (>$10,000,000). My research interests focus on understanding the relationship between the structure of molecules and observed macroscopic phenomena. This interest has led him to on critical phenomena, liquid crystals, picosecond spectroscopy, high pressure and shock related phenomena, and self-assembly of biologically derived microstructures. By working in these areas I developed a keen appreciation of the importance of interdisciplinary research.

After retiring from the NRL I took as position as Research Professor, Bio/Molecular Science in the College of Science. In this position I actively mentor tenure track faculty (over 60 in the past 11 years) as well as pursuing my research. My recent work has focused on the applications of emerging technologies to problems of medical significance. See for example Discovery of Novel Antimicrobial Peptides from Varanus komodoensis (Komodo Dragon) by Large-Scale Analyses andDe-Novo-Assisted Sequencing Using Electron-Transfer Dissociation Mass Spectrometry, Journal of Proteome Research, B. Bishop et al., Feb. 2017