Ali Mohseni Motlagh, Ph.D.
Scientific Founder and Research Leader | Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Food Safety, Antiviral and Natural Product Research
Professional Summary
- Microbiologist and molecular biologist with postdoctoral training in molecular biology and microbial genetics, and senior executive experience in food safety, biotechnology, and translational antiviral research.
- Founder and scientific leader of AMH Biotech LLC, advancing natural-product and flavonoid-based research programs focused on viral entry, protease activity, and host-pathogen interactions.
- Experienced in integrating computational approaches such as molecular docking and molecular dynamics with experimental validation including SPR, ELISA/enzyme assays, cytotoxicity studies, and collaborative CRO-based
research. - Former Executive Vice President and Chief Food Safety Officer at American Foods Group, LLC, with more than 25 years of engagement in meat industry scientific committees and advisory roles.
Core Expertise
Molecular Biology & Microbiology
Viral entry mechanisms; host-pathogen interactions; microbial genetics; assay interpretation
Computational Biology
AutoDock Vina docking; protein-ligand interaction analysis; PyMOL; LigPlot+; MD workflow oversight
Experimental Validation
SPR interpretation; ELISA/enzyme assays; cytotoxicity; lead prioritization and comparative screening
Food Safety Leadership
Executive food safety strategy; regulatory-facing scientific programs; industry committee leadership
Natural Product Research
Flavonoids including hesperidin, rutin, quercetin, hesperetin, and related compounds
Scientific Communication
Manuscript preparation; grant/pitch materials; patent-supporting evidence organization
Education Background
Professional Experience
Founder / Scientific Lead — AMH Biotech LLC | 2021–Present
- Directs research strategy for flavonoid-based antiviral and oncology-related discovery programs.
- Leads prioritization of compounds using docking, MD simulation, SPR, enzyme/ELISA assays, and cytotoxicity data.
- Coordinates collaborations and external studies with academic and CRO partners.
- Develops manuscripts, patent-supporting scientific materials, pitch decks, and grant-oriented research narratives.
Executive Vice President & Chief Food Safety Officer — American Foods Group, LLC | 2021–April 2024
- Provided executive leadership for company-wide food safety strategy, scientific programs, regulatory engagement, and
microbiology-based risk reduction. - Contributed to pathogen-testing modernization for E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella; formal retirement recognition noted his leadership in establishing the first microbiology laboratory for American Foods Group to better service its Gibbon, Nebraska facility.
- Developed strategic relationships with federal regulatory agencies and represented American Foods Group in food safety policy and scientific discussions.
- Co-authored scientific publications, including work cited in Journal of Food Protection and Food Protection Trends.
- Retired from American Foods Group in April 2024 after more than 20 years of dedicated service, as recognized in a formal letter from the President and COO.
Scientific Committee Member / Industry Advisor — North American Meat Institute and American Meat Institute | More than 25 years
- Participated in scientific committee work related to meat industry food safety and microbiology.
- Contributed scientific perspective to industry and advisory discussions.
Recognition and Appointments
National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) appointment — U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2023
- Appointed by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack to serve the Nation and the USDA as a member of the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI), supported by a signed USDA appointment letter and Certificate of Appointment dated January 27, 2023.
American Foods Group retirement recognition — April 29, 2024
- Recognized by American Foods Group leadership for more than 20 years of dedicated service, scientific publications, federal regulatory relationships, microbiology expertise, and contributions to pathogen-testing modernization.
Selected Research and Development Programs
- ViraShield™ and ViraImmune™: patent-pending flavonoid-based supplement research program focused on COVID-19, influenza, rhinovirus, and related respiratory viral support mechanisms.
- Antiviral lead prioritization: evaluation of hesperidin, rutin, hesperetin, quercetin, and related flavonoids against SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD, TMPRSS2, Mpro, influenza hemagglutinin, and neuraminidase.
- Oncology discovery program: comparative docking and experimental planning around PI3K/AKT, EGFR, MDM2-p53, and estrogen-related breast cancer targets, including quercetin and other flavonoid leads.
- CRO and academic collaborations: work involving Shro Cancer Institute at Temple University, Rowan University, Reaction Biology, and Ichor Life Sciences.
Selected Manuscripts, Publications and Presentations
- Integrated computational and experimental evaluation of selected flavonoids as multi-target modulators of viral entry and protease activity; bioRxiv preprint DOI: 10.64898/2026.04.10.717575.
- SARS-CoV-2 mutation and variant-focused posters/presentations, including World Microbe Forum / ASM-FEMS 2021 and AAI 2021 poster activities.
- COVID-19 detection assay article and prior peer-reviewed publications related to pediocin AcH bacteriocin research in Letters in Applied Microbiology and related outlets.
Selected Technical Tools
- AutoDock Vina, PyMOL, Discovery Studio Visualizer, LigPlot+, UCSF Chimera, VMD, GROMACS workflow oversight, Open Babel, and protein-ligand interaction reporting.
- Assay interpretation involving SPR sensorgrams, TMPRSS2 enzyme inhibition, ELISA-based readouts, cell viability/cytotoxicity, and comparative lead ranking.
Professional Distinction
Bridges executive food safety leadership, microbiology, molecular biology, natural product pharmacology, and translational antiviral research.
Experienced in converting complex computational and experimental datasets into manuscripts, patent-supporting evidence tables, grant materials, and business-facing scientific summaries.
Retirement Recognition Letter
American Foods Group
American Foods Group retirement recognition letter, April 29, 2024. Recognizes more than 20 years of dedicated service, scientific publications, federal regulatory relationships, microbiology expertise, establishment of the first microbiology laboratory serving the Gibbon facility, and USDA NACMPI appointment.
USDA Certificate and Letter of Appointment, NACMPI, January 27, 2023. Presented to Ali Mohseni-Motlagh by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack in appreciation for accepting the call to serve the Nation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a member of the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection.
Certificate of Appointment
USDA
USDA Certificate of Appointment, NACMPI, January 27, 2023. Presented to Ali Mohseni-Motlagh in appreciation for accepting the call to serve the Nation and the United States Department of Agriculture as a member of the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection.
Secretary letter confirmation. A signed letter dated January 27, 2023, from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack confirms the appointment to NACMPI and notes that the committee advises the Secretary on food safety and inspection matters and supports USDA regulatory policy development.
AMH - BIOTECH
