Dr. Kirk Douglas is a highly-regarded senior scientist with expertise in microbiology, infectious diseases, biosecurity, virology, and zoonoses. He holds a Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology (2020), an M.Phil. in Microbiology (2007), and a B.Sc. in Microbiology (2001) from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados. Additionally, he earned an MBA with Merit Honours (2019) from Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, UK.
With over 16 years of experience in the medical device industry, Dr. Douglas has excelled in roles ranging from quality assurance Microbiologist to Senior Microbiologist. He has successfully led regulatory audits by organisations such as the US FDA, BSI, and KFDA. Notable achievements include reducing endotoxin contamination levels in the intraocular lens manufacturing process, gaining FDA approval for medical device products made in Barbados, and implementing initiatives to enhance product quality and process yields.
His research, spanning infectious diseases, biosecurity, and virology, has resulted in numerous peer-reviewed papers and nearly 100 citations. Notably, his doctoral research unveiled novel findings on viral hemorrhagic fever viruses in Barbados and the Caribbean, including dengue virus, orthohantaviruses, arenaviruses, and cowpox viruses. Dr. Douglas has also been actively involved in regional initiatives, such as the development of a bird flu surveillance network in the Caribbean through CARIBVET.
