Global Vaccines Management Team

Robert E. Johnston, PhD., Executive Director

Dr. Johnston is an internationally recognized expert in viral genetics and vaccine development, having worked notably on the modification of alphaviruses for use as vaccine vectors.  In 1997, he was a co-founder of AlphaVax, a biotechnology company devoted to developing vaccines based on vectors, which he and others derived from Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis virus.  He served as CEO, Chairman of the Board and as a consultant to the company, resigning in 2001 to establish Global Vaccines.  Dr. Johnston is on the editorial board of Virology, and he shared the 2001 World Technology Award for Health and Medicine.

Clayton Beard, Ph.D., Vice President of Research

Clayton has worked in the field of virology and vaccine development for over fifteen years.  Most recently he was a Program Manager at the Carolina Vaccine Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.  Prior to that, Clayton was a lead scientist at a biotechnology company, Maxygen, applying their proprietary technologies to develop novel vaccines against Hepatitis B, Dengue, and West Nile.  He is also a registered patent agent and served as an intellectual property analyst in Maxygen’s legal department.  Clayton's virology, vaccine, and legal experience in academic, government, and private biotechnology environments give him a broad perspective and strong understanding of Global Vaccine's prospective operations.