Type Of Business:
Consulting firm
Marketing Area:
International
Expertise:
Research and Development
Major Product/SVS:
Consulting on the development and manufacture of contacts and lens care solutions; Particular expertise in microbiology, toxicology and formulation development; development of new standards in the contact lens/lens care industry.
Favorite Business Publication:
Eye and Contact Lens; Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science; Contact Lens and Anterior Eye; Spectrum
Hobbies/Sports:
Music: playing piano, violin and hammered dulcimer; Making fused glass items and making jewelry; Photography; Travel.
Education Degrees:
Ph.D. in Biophysics, University of Rochester (1978); Master's Degree in Biophysics (1975); Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Minor in Math, University of Rochester (1963)
Affiliations Awards:
Consultant, CIBA Vision; American National Standards Institute; International Organization of Standards; Contact Lens Institute; The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology; American Chemical Society; American Society for Microbiology
Place of Birth:
Warren, PA
Industry:
Medical Research & Development
State/Country of Origin:
Pennsylvania/USA
Children's Names:
Susan, Juliet, Elisabeth, Kevin, William, and Kathleen
Date of Distinction:
12/14/2011
Work History:
Associate Chemist, Color Xerography Development, Xerox, 1993-94; Program Analyst, Systems Programming, IBM, 1994-97; Sr. Biologist progressing steadily to Sr. Scientist, Bausch & Lomb, 1977 - 1990; Group Manager, Lens Care Product Development and Analytical Chemistry, Wesley-Jessen Corp., 1990-92; Director, Solutions Development and Biological Sciences, R&D, progressing steadily to Sr. Research Fellow, CIBA Vision Corp., 1992-2011.
Career Achievements:
Purification of the yellow pigment enabling a colored image by xerography. Design and programming of a module for the Goddard Space Flight Center for realtime calculations using the Reverse Polish Output Stack Technique. Development of an assay for quantitation of lactate in rabbit corneas and aqueous humor used by a contract laboratory. Development of the concept of a balance between microbiological and toxicological properties of contact lens care products. Development of cytotoxicity assays for lens/lens care. Development of unique lens care solutions. A series of peer reviewed papers on microorganisms associated with contact lenses due to handling and exposure to the ocular environment. Development of assays on protein uptake by contact lenses showing differences in protein uptake as function of lens material leading to development of FDA lens material groups. Leadership of a project to measure multiple types of molecular entities on a single worn contact lens. Nine patents, 90 presentations at professional meetings, and 18 publications on a variety of topics relevant to contact lenses/lens care products.
What do you feel separates you from the rest of the professionals in your industry?:
She has the ability to interact well with a variety of people. She has a broad science background enabling her to address various aspects of a project from multiple points of view. She is a good scientist with a flexible approach to solving problems and enjoys brainstorming and technical discussions.
What has been the most outstanding thing you have done thus far in your career?:
Successful participation in standards organizations, ANSI and ISO, drafting important standards that are used in the contact lens/lens care industry such as ISO 14729, ISO 14730, ISO 9394, ANSI Z80.18.
How would you like to be remembered by your peers?:
Intelligent, thoughtful, kind, passionate, engaged, good leader, good mentor, knowledgeable, collegial, fair minded,
If you could solve one problem in the world today, what would it be?:
She would like to have been able to solve the problem of prevention of cancer. However, this is obviously a very challenging problem and she has no experience in this field
If you could have lunch with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?:
Madame Marie Curie. She has been her idol since she was 10 years old. Her accomplishments as a woman in science especially during her lifetime were truly inspiring to her and probably contributed significantly to her career aspirations.
Expanded Biography:
She began her Ph.D. studies at the age of 30 as a single mom with three young children, one of whom was hearing handicapped. She pursued her studies with tenacity and perseverance and achieved her goal after 6 years. This was a very significant achievement under the circumstances she faced. She is very proud of her children and her accomplishment.
Spouse's Name:
Leonard McKee
Throughout the duration of your career, what was the one highlight that stood out the most?:
Completion and adoption of ISO 14729 disinfecting efficacy standard for contact lens care products for which she had been the project leader.
Charity:
Volunteer, NAMI; play folk music at assisted living facilities
Number Of Years In Profession:
34
Number Of Years In Current Position:
1
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
She attributes her success to several personal attributes: her ability to get along with a variety of personalities; perseverance in pursuing a goal; very broad scientific background; good critical thinking skills.
Why did you become involved in your profession or industry?:
She became involved in her profession after working as a scientist for Bausch + Lomb in 1977. This position in this industry allowed her to pursue projects making use of her broad training. She continued to work in the contact lens industry for 34 years, progressing steadily over time.
Extended Bio Profile:
Dr. Mowrey-McKee retired after spending 19 years with CIBA Vision Corporation as a senior research fellow. She has been in the industry for 34 years. She started her own consulting company July 6, 2011. She still represents CIBA at both ANSI and ISO, and contributes developing improved industry standards internationally. She plays the hammer dulcimer and fiddle with a group called The Alphafretters. She has been awarded nine patents, made 90 presentations at professional meetings, and has published 18 papers on a variety of topics relevant to contact lenses/lens care products.She recently served on a panel of eye doctors in Seattle, Wash., and one of the moderators acknowledged her as being a legend in her field.
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
Developing a new standard for disinfection efficacy in the contact lens industry; Drafting standards and protocols; Participating in microbiology and toxicology research concerning contact lenses and formulations. Inventing unique contact lens care products.
Education Certifications:
GLP training completed. GMP training completed.
Awards/Honors:
Promoted to Senior Research Fellow at CIBA Vision 2005; Expert to ISO meetings representing the United States since 1986. ISO Project Leader for Microbiology Project (1995 - current) and for Toxicology Project (1994 - 1995).
Where Will You Be In 5 Years:
In five years. Dr. Mowrey-McKee hopes to continue consulting, mentoring and participating in the development/improvement of standards in the contact lens/lens care industry. She would like to lead a balanced life giving equal attention to health/fitness, intellectual activities, musical pursuits and start a business making and selling her jewelry.