Germinator Adds Dr. Harold Smith to its Scientific Advisory Board

September 10, 2020

A national leader in the sanitizing and disinfecting industry, Germinator is proud to announce the addition of Dr. Harold Smith to its Scientific Advisory Board.

Dr. Smith is internationally recognized as a key opinion leader, an innovator in scientific discovery and an avid mentor of students and junior scientists. He is the perfect addition to aid in Germinator's efforts to raise the industry standard. His extensive expertise in cell biology, molecular biology and biochemistry, along with decades of experience leading sponsored research on infectious diseases for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will add to the overall breadth of knowledge and proficiency of the company's SAB.

"We are pleased to welcome Dr. Smith to the Germinator Scientific Advisory Board," said Jeff Gill, founder and CEO of Germinator. "His valuable knowledge and industry expertise will help further validate our continued research, process and methods to provide communities across the country with an effective solution to sanitizing and disinfecting, which is of vital importance now more than ever."

Germinator uses a patent-pending methodology and is the most unique and cost-effective means of providing enhanced antimicrobial protection for businesses and residences. The company first tests surfaces for ATP using a luminometer to detect light that can come from cellular activity. This measurement immediately provides the level of clean on a surface.

The next step is the application of Germinator's Genesis surface treatment. Genesis is a one-step cleaner and broad-spectrum sanitizer and disinfectant treatment that harnesses the power of hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Derived from naturally occurring minerals, Genesis not only eliminates odors at their source but kills a wide range of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Salmonella enterica and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and viruses including norovirus, rotavirus and adenovirus on hard, non-porous, environmental surfaces. It meets the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC) germicidal spray standards for Hospital Grade Disinfection and is on the EPA's N List of products determined to meet the criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. As a result, this treatment will eliminate bacteria and viruses that may reside in your environment without the use of harsh chemicals or fumes.

Following Genesis, Germinator applies its Shield, a water-based quaternary ammonium compound that imparts a durable bacteriostatic finish. It is EPA-registered as effective against mold, mildew, algae and odor-causing bacteria. This application creates an invisible barrier that combats deterioration and discoloration and promotes freshness for up to three months. The Genesis and Shield products are applied by using an electrostatic sprayer, which is the most efficient and effective means of delivering the products to the intended application sites. After Germinator's surface treatment and protectant services, the company retests ATP levels to ensure the surfaces have achieved the intended results.

Upholding the highest sanitization and disinfection standards, Germinator makes claims that are scientifically supported and within EPA regulations. The SAB validates the company's research and process and is responsible for reviewing and advising on product strategy and direction and assisting with navigating legislative and regulatory issues.

"I am very excited for the opportunity to serve on the Germinator Scientific Advisory Board," said Dr. Smith. "Germinator's products and business objectives are well-aligned with current and future needs to ensure hygienic environments for work, education, social gathering and travel. It is a privilege and honor to use my training and expertise in furtherance of Germinator's platform and future development of unique sterilization products."

In addition to Dr. Smith, the SAB includes experts in infectious disease, biological containment and regulatory affairs. The board is made up of key leaders such as Dr. Roscoe M. Moore, Jr. —who was an Assistant to the United States Surgeon General for five administrations; Dr. David Miller, the Protocol Chair of University of Rochester Center for AIDS Research Community Advisory Board; and Chad S. Johnson, Esq., a Harvard-trained corporate, legislative, and regulatory attorney with significant experience in advising health and biotechnology companies.

Harold Smith, MS, MA, Ph.D., is the founder, CEO and president of New York-based OyaGen, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel pharmaceutical therapies. Dr. Smith leads a team of scientists who are advancing new classes of drugs for the treatment of coronaviruses, HIV and Ebola. In addition to his work with OyaGen, Dr. Smith is a full professor at the University of Rochester's School of Medicine and Dentistry, where he teaches biochemistry and biophysics. He also serves as a senior associate at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Dr. Smith is a member of URMC's Center for AIDS Research with a secondary appointment as a professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. Over his 34 years on the faculty, he has also served as a member of the Cancer Center and Center for RNA Biology.

Dr. Smith is an Editorial Board Member of the Journal of Biological Chemistry and serves extensively as an ad-hoc reviewer for the leading scientific journal and as a reviewer for federal and foundation research grant funding agencies. He has authored over 144 peer-reviewed, scientific papers and book chapters and currently holds the rights to several patent applications and issued patents.

Germinator was founded by Jeff Gill in 2015 with the vision of providing an effective method of proper sanitizing and disinfecting for businesses and households. The company launched national franchising in December 2019 and continues to rapidly expand across the country. With Germinator, society can now have greater peace of mind and the freedom to live or work in a sanitized and disinfected environment.