Travis Taylor, Ph.D.

Vice President | Life Sciences Practice Area Lead

SMI Vice President and Life Sciences Practice Area Lead who served as an NIH policy leader and assists clients with his experties in federal funding strategies for biomedical research

Insights

Turning Medical Innovation Into a Winning Defense Health Proposal
Travis Taylor; Aug. 12, 2026

Profile

Dr. Travis Taylor, Vice President, has two decades of experience in navigating the federal life science funding environment. His expertise is in navigating major funding priorities and initiatives for biotechnology, medical countermeasures, and health programs within the government including the Department of War (DoW), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).

Prior to joining SMI, Travis served as a Policy Officer at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) where he was an expert on foreign Select Agents and Dual Use Research Concerns. He also participated in the formulation, development and coordination of extramural research policy. Travis also served as Scientific Review Officer at the NIH during which time he reviewed proposals and managed peer review panels. He has also held a number of senior scientist positions, supporting federal agencies including the DoW, DARPA, National Cancer Institute, USAID’s Emerging Pandemic Threats Program, the Department of Homeland Security, and the World Bank.

Education & Credentials

Travis holds a B.A. in Biology from the University of Southern Indiana and a Ph.D. in Virology from Harvard University.

He is also a former AAAS Science and Technology Fellow during which time he served as a Science Advisor for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

Practice Areas

Life Sciences