Robert Umek, PhD, is director of external scientific affairs at Meso Scale Discovery (MSD). Formerly, Dr. Umek was director of research at MSD and was responsible for the development of many of the company’s multiplex biomarkers assays. He received his PhD from the Department of Molecular Biology at Roswell Park Cancer Center and completed postdoctoral training in the Carnegie Institution of Washington's Department of Embryology.

His previous appointments include: director of assay development, Clinical Micro Sensors; assistant professor, Biology Department, University of Virginia; and program director, Cellular Basis of Metabolic Disease, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Dr. Umek currently represents Meso Scale Discovery to the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, the Coalition Against Major Disease, the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative and the Global Biomarker Standardization Consortium.