The J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) announced new management changes, naming Karen Nelson, Ph.D., as President and Robert Friedman, Ph.D., as Chief Operating Officer. Both will report directly to J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., who will continue to lead the organization as Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Nelson, who has been with the Institute since 1996, was previously the Director of the Rockville, MD office and leader of the Human Genomic Medicine Group. She will retain these duties but add more overall, day to day leadership responsibility and will remain based in Rockville but will frequent the San Diego facility. Friedman, who joined JCVI in 2003, was Director of the San Diego, CA facility and head of the Policy Group at JCVI. He will maintain these duties but add increased administrative leadership responsibility and will remain based in the San Diego facility.

Dr. Venter stated, "I am pleased to have Karen and Bob step into these new roles at JCVI. Both have a long history with the Institute along with extensive scientific and administrative leadership experience. I look forward to continuing to work with them as we advance the Venter Institute to the next phases of exceptional research."

About the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI)

The JCVI is a not-for-profit research institute in Rockville, MD and San Diego, CA dedicated to the advancement of the science of genomics; the understanding of its implications for society; and communication of those results to the scientific community, the public, and policymakers. Founded by J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., the JCVI is home to approximately 300 scientists and staff with expertise in human and evolutionary biology, genetics, bioinformatics/informatics, information technology, high-throughput DNA sequencing, genomic and environmental policy research, and public education in science and science policy. The legacy organizations of the JCVI are: The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR), The Center for the Advancement of Genomics (TCAG), the Institute for Biological Energy Alternatives (IBEA), the Joint Technology Center (JTC), and the J. Craig Venter Science Foundation. The JCVI is a 501 (c)(3) organization. For additional information, please visit http://www.JCVI.org.