Dr. John Vournakis is the Vice President for Research and Development at Marine Polymer Technologies, Inc. and a professor of graduate studies at the Medical University of South Carolina. Prior to joining the MUSC faculty, Dr. Vournakis held professorships at Syracuse University and Dartmouth College.

     Dr. Vournakis has many years of management and administrative experience including his time as Senior Vice President and CEO of Genmap Inc., Vice President of Science at Verax Corporation and Associate Director of the Center of Molecular and Structural Biology at MUSC. Dr. Vournakis has also been involved in numerous consulting activities such as his current membership on the Albion College Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors of Oncostasis, Inc.

     Dr. Vournakis also serves as an editor and reviewer of multiple publications and is the recipient of several prestigious awards and research grants. Dr. Vournakis has an extensive educational background including a BA degree in Chemistry and Physics from Albion College, a PhD in Biophysical Chemistry from Cornell University and postdoctoral training at M.I.T. and Harvard University.