Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 1981 & 1986

 

James Kennamer of Raleigh, North Carolina, graduated from OSU with a bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. in biochemistry in 1981 and 1986, respectively.

 

Kennamer was widely recruited by some of the world’s most prestigious companies after completing his doctoral degree, and he has held titles like chemist, research investigator, manager and director during his career.

 

Kennamer’s professional efforts supported the development of the ACCU-CHEK, a blood glucose test, which is used by diabetics around the world to monitor glucose levels. He also helped develop CoaguCheck, which is utilized to monitor warfarin therapy and reduce the number of life threatening events and improve the quality of life in patients receiving this therapy.

 

Since 2007, Kennamer has been vice president of manufacturing for Talecris Biotherapeutics/Grifols Therapeutics in Clayton, North Carolina.

 

Kennamer directs the activities of approximately 800 manufacturing employees engaged in the production, process support and technical transfer of new products into commercial manufacturing.

 

He is a member of the Parenteral Drug Association, the North Carolina Biotechnology Manufacturer’s Forum and serves on the board of the North Carolina State University Biotechnology Training and Education Center Advisory Board.

 

He credits much of his professional success to the educational experience he had at OSU, but it was a personal experience he had there that got his life started. Kennamer proposed to his wife, Susan, on the steps of historic Old Central.