Cartier Esham serves as Executive Vice President for Emerging Companies at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). In this role, Dr. Esham manages and directs BIO’s policy development, advocacy, research and educational initiatives for BIO’s emerging companies, which comprise approximately 90% of BIO’s membership. Prior to joining BIO, Dr. Esham was a Vice President and Director of Research at Dutko Worldwide, a private consulting firm in Washington, D.C. Esham has a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Georgia, a Master's degree in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Kentucky.