Dr. Peter J. Stopa was born 26 March 1953 in Newark, New Jersey. In 1999, he successfully defended a dissertation on “The Use of Flow Cytometry for the Detection and Identification of Biological Warfare Agents” before the scientific board of the Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Warsaw, Poland earning him a Doctorate Degree in Microbiology. He was the first American to obtain a Doctorate degree in Microbiology in this manner. His most recent project was as the Technical Coordinator for the Military Applications in Reconnaissance and Surveillance program where he designed experimental payloads for use on robotic platforms for Biological Detection and Identification.

Dr. Stopa was also instrumental in the development and fielding of the first biological warfare capability for the U.S. Army during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm only thirty days after receiving the task. He initiated efforts to provide first responders with a capability to sample and detect for the presence of biological agents in suspect samples. The latter effort was in response to the sarin attack of the Aum Shrinrikyo on the Tokyo Subway and led to the development of The Biological Detection Kit, which integrated sampling and detection equipment for use by first responders to respond to a possible biological WMD incident.

Dr. Stopa was the recipient for two Technology Transfer Program Awards, Commander’s Award for Civilian Service, 14 Performance Awards, 6 Special Act and/or Service Awards, 4 Quality Step Increases and an Incentive Cash award.

Dr. Stopa was a prolific researcher and writer on WMD topics and contributed over twenty articles to professional journals and other professional venues.