Paul T. Morrison

Current

Principal Research Scientist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Associate Director, Molecular Biology and Genomics Core Facility, Center for AIDS Research at Harvard University
Principal Associate in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at Harvard Medical School

Director of the Molecular Biology Core Facilities at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

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Past

Electron Microscopist (Way back in the 20th century.) at Marine Biological Laboratory

Education

Massachusetts College of Art
Massachusetts Horticultural Society
University of Massachusetts, Amherst

University of Massachusetts Boston

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Connections

214 connections

Industry

Biotechnology

Websites

Paul T. Morrison’s Summary

Biotechnology from DNA sequencing, mass spectrometry, to homology algorithms and the incessant increase in efficiency, resolution, and driving down costs coupled to Moore's Law at the waist or making that law look like a tortoise.

The technology of biotechnology down to the minutia is what drives me. Finding a way to squeeze improvements, finding ways to use technology to cut the big corners.

Paul T. Morrison’s Specialties:

DNA sequencing, Mass spectrometry, peptide synthesis, protein sequencing, Biacore ligand assays currently found in my lab. Thirty years experience in molecular biology, starting with purifying enzymes then finding their activity.
My expertise? Figuring out what is practical, implementing same. Proof of concept is more rewarding. Shift from genomics to proteomics as the mass spectrometry takes over the lab.
Informatics: I know enough to get the job done.

Paul T. Morrison’s Experience

Principal Research Scientist

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

(Non-Profit; 1001-5000 employees; Hospital & Health Care industry)

April 2004 — Present (5 years 8 months)
Associate Director, Molecular Biology and Genomics Core Facility, Center for AIDS Research

Harvard University

(Educational Institution; Higher Education industry)

2003 — Present (6 years )

I participate in the Harvard University Center for AIDS Research grant as Associate Director, Molecular Biology and Genomics Core Facility, Center for AIDS Research. This association began in 1986 when the CFAR was a Dana-Farber Cancer Institute centric grant which has now expanded to encompass Harvard University. The core has undergone some name changes, dropping Virology and adding Genomics to better represent the core activities.
Principal Associate in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology

Harvard Medical School

(Educational Institution; 10,001 or more employees; HMS; Research industry)

1996 — Present (13 years )

Principal Associate appointment at Harvard Medical in the Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Department. All sorts of benefits: free shuttle, swimming pool, Christmas party, although the one I really use is the free Lexis Nexis Academic account.
Director of the Molecular Biology Core Facilities

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

(Non-Profit; 1001-5000 employees; Hospital & Health Care industry)

March 1980 — Present (29 years 9 months)

Director of the Molecular Biology Core Facilities which includes DNA Sequencing, Genotyping and DNA Synthesis, Protein Sequencing and Peptide Synthesis as well as expanding Mass Spectrometry services. I used to do 100% science but now it seems I am 90% marketing and 5% predicting the biotechnology future. I try and do at least one thing in the lab every day.

At times I advise and consult for other core facilities expanding into my areas of expertise. The science is easy, the cash flow is the difficult part.
Electron Microscopist (Way back in the 20th century.)

Marine Biological Laboratory

(Non-Profit; 201-500 employees; Research industry)

May 1979 — November 1979 (7 months)

Electron Microscopist, Marine Biological Laboratories, Woods Hole, Massachusetts. National Institutes of Health, Biophysics Laboratories
(Summer NIH Grant)

Electron Microscopist, Marine Biological Laboratories, Hahnemann Medical College (Extension of NIH Grant)

These are the last positions I held at the MBL as I worked there during the summers while attending college. Other positions I held in the area entailed dissecting squid, manufacturing electrodes to measure electrical impulses in the dissected squid, unloading freight cars at the Grain Mill in Falmouth and dishwashing and cooking in the Cap'n Kidd Restaurant in Woods Hole. I acquired my time management skills while working in a lab during the day and cooking in a popular bar at night.

Paul T. Morrison’s Education

Massachusetts College of Art

Ceramics 2004 — 2005
Massachusetts Horticultural Society

Botany 2000 — 2000
University of Massachusetts, Amherst

BS , Botany , 1975 — 1978
University of Massachusetts Boston

Biology 1973 — 1975

Additional Information

Paul T. Morrison’s Websites:

Paul T. Morrison’s Interests:

In no particular order: DNA Sequencing, Next Generation DNA Sequencing, Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms SNP, Mass Spectrometry, Protein Sequencing, Peptide Synthesis, DNA Synthesis, Amino Acid Analysis, Post-translational modifications. All things nanospherical.

Paul T. Morrison’s Groups:

ABRF; Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities, member since 1992
NCBI, National Center for Biotechnology Information
ASMS; American Society for Mass Spectrometry, member since 1997
GSA; Genetics Society of America, member since 2007
TPS; The Protein Society, member since 1991
FASEB; Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, member since 1991
AAAS; The American Association for the Advancement of Science, member since 1994
BAMBCT; Boston Area Molecular Biology Computer Types, member since 1991
GBMSDG; Greater Boston Mass Spectrometry Discussion Group

BIO International Convention
University of Massachusetts (UMass) Amherst Alumni
Computational Biology
PADI Scuba Divers
MassBio
ABRF: Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities
BAMBCT: Boston Area Molecular Biology Computer Types
NAUI Divers Group
Proteomics
Marine Biological Laboratory Network
Bioinformatics Computing
MolecularLab (Community of Molecular Biology & Biotech companies, students, researchers)
Mass Spectrometry
Systems Biology
Genomic Pioneers Gateway
The Science Advisory Board
Cancer Sequencing
Life Science Business Club
Genomics
NGS (Next Generation Sequencing)
Genomics: Next Generation DNA Sequencing (NGS) and Microarray
All UMass Biological Scientists
Greater Boston Mass Spectrometry Discussion Group (GBMSDG)