Our board and leadership teams at Applied DNA Sciences comprise visionary experts committed to driving innovation and guiding the company toward sustainable growth. They empower our effort and ensure that we continue to make progress in leveraging DNA-based technologies.
Dr. James A. Hayward has served as Chief Executive Officer since March 2006, and was President from March 2006 to December 2024. Hayward joined the Company as acting Chief Executive Officer in October 2005, was promoted to President and Chief Executive in March 2006, and was later appointed to Chairman of the Board of Directors in June 2007.
Dr. Hayward has over 40 years of experience in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, life science and consumer product industries. He was one of the founding principals and Research Director at Biocompatibles Ltd., Europe’s first liposome company. From 1984 to 1989, he was responsible for product development at Estée Lauder Companies, where he served as worldwide director of research.
From 1990 to July 2004, He was the Chairman, President, and CEO of The Collaborative Group, Ltd., a provider of products and services to the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and consumer-product industries based in Stony Brook, New York.
Since 2000, Dr. Hayward has been a General Partner of Double D Venture Fund, a venture capital firm based in New York, New York. He also serves on the boards of the Stony Brook Foundation, the Research Foundation of the State of New York, Long Island Life Sciences Initiative and the Ward Melville Heritage Foundation.
Dr. Hayward received his bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from the State University of New York at Oneonta in 1976, his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Biophysics from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1983, and an honorary Doctor of Science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 2000.
Mr. Joseph D. Ceccoli has been a Board member since December 2014. He is the Founder, President, and CEO of Biocogent, LLC, a bioscience company focused on developing and commercializing skin-active molecules and treatment products. Before starting Biocogent in 2010, Mr. Ceccoli was Global Director of Operations for BASF Corporation, overseeing domestic and international business units. He also served as General Manager for Engelhard Corporation and COO of The Collaborative Group from 2004 to 2007.
Mr. Ceccoli holds a B.S. in Biotechnology from Rochester Institute of Technology and has advanced training in pharmaceutical sciences, emulsion chemistry, engineering, and management. He is a member of professional organizations such as the American Chemical Society and the Society of Cosmetic Chemists. He has authored 16 technical papers and holds 16 patents. The Board values Mr. Ceccoli’s extensive experience in the bioscience and chemical industries, his executive leadership roles, and his contributions to both global and U.S.-based operations and management.
Ms. Elizabeth M. Schmalz Shaheen has been a Board member since June 2017. She has been President of American Flavors & Fragrances LLC since 2003 and runs her consulting firm, Betsy Schmalz & Associates. Previously, she was Senior Vice President of Corporate Product Development at Estée Lauder, overseeing development for major brands. She also served as Executive Vice President of Product Development at Bath and Body Works and Victoria’s Secret for The Limited. Ms. Schmalz Shaheen began her senior management career at Revlon, handling new product development for brands such as Borghese, Ultima II, and Prestige fragrances.
She is an active member of Cosmetic Executive Women and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Georgian Court University, where she serves on the Board of Trustees. The Board values her strategic and leadership accomplishments in the cosmetics and personal care industries, deeming her a valuable member.
Dr. Yacov A. Shamash has been a Board member since March 2006. He is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Stony Brook, a role he has held since 1992. From 1992 to 2015, he was the Dean of Engineering and Applied Sciences and also served as Dean of the Harriman School for Management and Policy from 1995 to 2004. He was Vice President for Economic Development at Stony Brook from 2001 to 2019.
Dr. Shamash founded the NY State Centers of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology and Advanced Energy Research at Stony Brook. He also developed and directed the NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for the Design of Analog/Digital Integrated Circuits from 1989 to 1992 and chaired the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Washington State University from 1985 to 1992. He serves on the boards of public companies Comtech Telecommunications Corp. and Keytronic Corp., and is involved with several non-profits including Long Island First Robotics and Listnet. Dr. Shamash holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Imperial College London.
Dr. Shamash interacts daily with leaders from various industries and has significantly contributed to our business development through key introductions. His experience as a director of other companies, both private and public, adds valuable technical expertise and insight to our Board.
Robert B. Catell has been a Board member since October 2016. He is Chairman of the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC) at Stony Brook and the National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium (NOWRDC). He also serves on the boards of several business and non-profit organizations, including Long Island Association (LIA), A+ Technology & Security Solutions, Inc., ThermoLift Inc., and Utility Technology Solutions (UTS).
Mr. Catell was formerly Chairman and CEO of KeySpan Corporation and KeySpan Delivery, Chairman of National Grid, U.S., and Deputy Chairman of National Grid plc. He has also served on numerous boards, including the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA). He chaired the New York State Business Council from 2002 to 2003 and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce from 1994 to 1995.
Mr. Catell holds a Master’s and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from City College of New York and is a registered Professional Engineer. He has attended Columbia University’s Executive Development Program and the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.
The Board values Mr. Catell’s extensive executive management experience, including his roles as a director in both private and public companies and within regulated and technical industries.
Dr. Sanford R. Simon has been a Board member since March 2006. He was a Professor of Biochemistry, Cell Biology, and Pathology at Stony Brook from 1969 to January 2022, starting as an Assistant Professor and earning tenure as an Associate Professor in 1975. He previously served on the board of The Collaborative Group from 1995 to 2004 and was a Guest Investigator at Rockefeller University from 1967 to 1969. Dr. Simon holds a B.A. in Zoology and Chemistry from Columbia University (1963) and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Rockefeller University (1967), and he completed postdoctoral studies with Nobel Prize winner Max Perutz in Cambridge, England.
Dr. Simon has maintained an active research lab, studying cell invasion in cancer and inflammation, the use of small molecules in modulating cell functions, and novel drug delivery strategies. He also teaches undergraduate, graduate, medical, and dental students. With expertise in the use of large biomolecules in commercial media, Dr. Simon has been instrumental in formulating DNA into commercial carriers for specific customers. As a Board member, he has provided valuable advice on patents, technical matters, and introduced us to corporate partners and customers. The Board believes his expertise and insights make him a valuable member.
Dr. James A. Hayward has served as Chief Executive Officer since March 2006, and was President from March 2006 to December 2024. Hayward joined the Company as acting Chief Executive Officer in October 2005, was promoted to President and Chief Executive in March 2006, and was later appointed to Chairman of the Board of Directors in June 2007.
Dr. Hayward has over 40 years of experience in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, life science and consumer product industries. He was one of the founding principals and Research Director at Biocompatibles Ltd., Europe’s first liposome company. From 1984 to 1989, he was responsible for product development at Estée Lauder Companies, where he served as worldwide director of research.
From 1990 to July 2004, He was the Chairman, President, and CEO of The Collaborative Group, Ltd., a provider of products and services to the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and consumer-product industries based in Stony Brook, New York.
Since 2000, Dr. Hayward has been a General Partner of Double D Venture Fund, a venture capital firm based in New York, New York. He also serves on the boards of the Stony Brook Foundation, the Research Foundation of the State of New York, Long Island Life Sciences Initiative and the Ward Melville Heritage Foundation.
Dr. Hayward received his bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from the State University of New York at Oneonta in 1976, his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Biophysics from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1983, and an honorary Doctor of Science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 2000.
Ms. Murrah was promoted to President in December 2024 after previously serving as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer since January 2021, the Company’s Chief Information Officer since June 2013, and the Company’s Secretary since December 22, 2017. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Murrah was Senior Director of Information Technology at Motorola Solutions, which acquired her former employer, Symbol Technologies. Her role at Motorola Solutions included overseeing the global IT program management office, financial and supplier operations, and quality assurance. At Symbol Technologies, Ms. Murrah held leadership positions in product line management, global account sales, corporate and marketing communications, and IT.
Ms. Murrah is an inventor on 14 U.S. patents. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, and a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Rhode Island.
Ms. Beth Jantzen has been our Chief Financial Officer since February 2015, after serving as Controller from May 2013. Before joining the Company, she was a senior manager at Marcum LLP, our independent registered accounting firm, from 2000 to 2013, specializing in SEC policies, practices, and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. Ms. Jantzen holds a B.S. in Accounting from the State University of New York at Binghamton and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Mr. Shorrock was appointed has served as the Company’s Chief Legal Officer and Executive Director of Business Development since April 2021, and as President of LineaRx, since December 2024. He leads the Company’s legal, regulatory, risk mitigation, intellectual property, and business development functions and has been instrumental in the development of the Company’s Linea™ DNA and Linea™ IVT platforms.
Mr. Shorrock previously served as general and intellectual property counsel to the Company from November 2016 through April 2019. Prior to rejoining the Company in April 2021, Mr. Shorrock was a member of the intellectual property groups of Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A., and Allen, Dyer, Doppelt & Gilchrist, P.A. Earlier in his career Mr. Shorrock was an associate at several New Jersey-based law firms where he focused on intellectual property and complex commercial transactions.
Mr. Shorrock holds a B.A. in Biology from Franklin and Marshall College and a J.D. with a concentration in intellectual property from Seton Hall University Law School