Biosketch of Raymond A. Zilinskas, Ph.D.

After having graduated from California State University at Northridge with a BA in Biology (1962), and from University of Stockholm with a Filosofie Kandidat in Organic Chemistry (1963), Dr. Zilinskas worked as a clinical microbiologist for 16 years before commencing graduate studies at the University of Southern California. His doctoral dissertation addressed policy issues generated by recombinant DNA research, including the applicability of genetic engineering techniques to the weaponization of biological warfare agents. After earning a Ph.D. in 1981, Dr. Zilinskas worked for the Office of Technology Assessment (1981 - 1982) and then the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (1982 - 1986). During 1988 ­ August 1998, he was a Research Associate Professor at the Center for Public Issues in Biotechnology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, and Adjunct Associate Professor at the Department of International Health, School of Hygiene and Public Health, the Johns Hopkins University.

In October 1993, Dr. Zilinskas was named as a William Foster Fellow at the Bureau of Intelligence, Verification and Information Support, U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA). At ACDA he worked on biological and toxin warfare issues. In April 1994, ACDA seconded Dr. Zilinskas to the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) for seven months, during which time he participated in two biological warfare-related inspections in Iraq (June and October 1994) encompassing 61 biological research and production facilities. At UNSCOM, he set up a database containing data about key dual-use biological equipment in Iraq and developed the first draft of the protocol that was to guide UNSCOM's on-going monitoring and verification program in the biological field.

After the fellowship ended on December 31, 1994, Dr. Zilinskas returned home and took up his appointments at the Center for Public Issues in Biotechnology and Johns Hopkins University. In addition, he continued to work as a long-term consultant to ACDA, assisting in the development of a regime that will seek to ensure compliance to the 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.

On September 1, 1998, Dr. Zilinskas began working as a Senior Scientist in Residence at the Center for Nonproliferation Studies, Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS), Washington, D.C. His research at MIIS focuses on effective biological arms control, the proliferation potential of the former Soviet Union¹s biological warfare program, and meeting the threat of bioterrorism. He continues to serve as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins University, where he teaches two graduate courses per year on emerging issues in international health (see http://cns.miis.edu/class/rayz/index.htm).

In 1999, Dr. Zilinskas finished editing the book Biological Warfare: Modern Offense and Defense, which provides a definitive account on how modern biotechnology has qualitatively changed developments related to biological weapons and defense. This book was published by Lynne Rienner Publishers, Boulder, CO, in October 1999.