Profile Details

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USD 100 /hr

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Hire Dr. Kristbjörg B.

Iceland

USD 100 /hr

PhD Biomedicine | Biotech Startup Consultant | R&D Strategy, ELISA & Biomarker Development

Profile Summary

I am a PhD-trained biomedical scientist with extensive experience in immunology, functional genomics, and cell biology, combined with leadership roles in biotech R&D and early-stage startup development. I have served as Head of R&D in a biotech company and currently work with startups to design and build scientific and operational foundations—from early concept through to execution. My expertise includes: ELISA-based biomarker development and analysis Mammalian cell culture and immunological assays Experimental design and data interpretation R&D strategy for early-stage biotech companies Scientific and medical writing (grants, reports, investor materials) Translating complex science into actionable business strategy I have worked across multiple domains including inflammation models, cytokine profiling, biomaterials (chitosan), marine-based products (kelp), and private health initiatives. I am particularly interested in supporting startups and small companies that need high-level scientific expertise without hiring full-time senior staff. I bring both scientific depth and strategic thinking, helping clients move efficiently from idea to execution.

Subject Matter Expertise

• ☆ Biochemistry
• ☆ Immunoassay
• ☆ Biochemical Assays
• ☆ Enzyme Activity Assays
• ☆ Binding Assays
• ☆ Molecular Biology
• ☆ Biomarkers
• ☆ Genetics
• ☆ PCR
• ☆ Cell Biology
• ☆ Cell-Based Assays
• ☆ Cytochemistry
• ☆ Cell Signaling Pathways
• ☆ Membrane Biology
• ☆ Gene Regulation
• ☆ Stem Cell Research
• ☆ Basic Immunology
• ☆ Adjuvant & Antigen Research
• ☆ Histology
• ☆ Biotechnology & Bioengineering
• ☆ Recombinant Protein Expression
• ☆ Microscopy
• ☆ Cryosectioning
• ☆ Light Microscopy
• ☆ Fluorescence Microscopy
• ☆ Scanning Probe Microscopy
• ☆ Data Collection
• ☆ Biomarker Discovery
• ☆ Cell Culture
• ☆ Primary Cells
• ☆ Cell Banking
• ☆ Cell Line Engineering
• ☆ Large Scale Cell Culture
• ☆ Cell Surface Receptors
• ☆ Knowledge Management
• ☆ Industrial Biotechnology
• ☆ Agricultural Biotechnology
• ☆ Decision Science
• ☆ Blotting
• ☆ Immunohistochemistry
• ☆ Cytometry
• ☆ Cell Aging
• ☆ Information & Knowledge Management
• ☆ Drug Development
• ☆ Small Molecule Drug Development
• ☆ Biosafety Testing
• ☆ Microbiology Testing
• ☆ Bioanalytical Testing
• ☆ Drug Stability Testing
• ☆ Preclinical Research
• ☆ In vitro Preclinical Toxciology
• ☆ In vivo Preclinical Toxicology
• ☆ Investigational New Drug (IND) Application Consulting
• ☆ Drug Efficacy Testing
• ☆ In vitro Diagnostics
• ☆ In vitro Diagnostic Validation
• ☆ In vitro Diagnostic Design
• ☆ Biomarker Analysis
• ☆ Immunotherapy
• ☆ Stability Testing
• ☆ Shelf-Life Testing
• ☆ Quality Assurance & Quality Control (QA/QC)
• ☆ Product Validation
• ☆ Product Compliance
• ☆ Concept Development
• ☆ Hypothesis
• ☆ Peer Review
• ☆ Research Methodology
• ☆ User Research
• ☆ Feasibility Studies
• ☆ Technology Scouting
• ☆ Fact Checking
• ☆ Literature Search
• ☆ Gap Analysis
• ☆ Skills Training
• ☆ Regulatory Writing
• ☆ Nonclinical Study Documentation
• ☆ Medical Writing
• ☆ Research Summaries & Abstracts
• ☆ Technical & Scientific Writing
• ☆ Journal Selection
• ☆ Manuscript & Journal Article Writing
• ☆ Instructional Materials
• ☆ Experimental Protocols
• ☆ SOP & Protocol Writing
• ☆ Spec Sheets
• ☆ Science Communication
• ☆ Literature Review
• ☆ Traditional/Narrative Literature Review
• ☆ Systematic Literature Review
• ☆ Copywriting
• ☆ Emails & Newsletters
• ☆ Product Descriptions
• ☆ Scientific Proofreading & Editing
• ☆ Proofreading & Editing
• ☆ Language Translation
• ☆ Grant Writing
• ☆ Project Management

Services

• Writing

Writing Clinical Trial Documentation, Medical Writing, Technical Writing, General Proofreading & Editing, Translation

Work Experience

Consultant

Saltberg

September 2025 - Present

Scientific and management consultant

Revela

May 2025 - Present

Scientific Consultant and Researcher

Norlandia

May 2025 - Present

Head of drug development

Genis

May 2023 - March 2025

Scientific researchers

Decode Genetics / Amgen

February 2017 - May 2023

Education

PhD

Université de Genéve

June 2013 - December 2016

MSc

Université de Genéve

January 2012 - June 2013

BSc (Hons)

St Andrews University

September 2007 - May 2011

Certifications

• Natural researcher in Healthcare

  The directorate of health - Iceland

  June 2025 - Present

Publications

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Katla Kristjansdottir, Gudmundur L. Norddahl, Erna V. Ivarsdottir, Gisli H. Halldorsson, Gudmundur Einarsson, Kristbjorg Bjarnadottir, Gudrun Rutsdottir, Asgeir O. Arnthorsson, Christian Erikstrup, Steinunn Gudmundsdottir, et al. (2025). A partial loss-of-function variant in STAT6 protects against type 2 asthma . Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Saedis Saevarsdottir, Kristbjörg Bjarnadottir, Thorsteinn Markusson, Jonas Berglund, Thorunn A. Olafsdottir, Gisli H. Halldorsson, Gudrun Rutsdottir, Kristbjorg Gunnarsdottir, Asgeir Orn Arnthorsson, Sigrun H. Lund, et al. (2024). Start codon variant in LAG3 is associated with decreased LAG-3 expression and increased risk of autoimmune thyroid disease . Nature Communications.

Hilma Holm, Erna V. Ivarsdottir, Thorhildur Olafsdottir, Rosa Thorolfsdottir, Elias Eythorsson, Kristjan Norland, Rosa Gisladottir, Gudrun Jonsdottir, Unnur Unnsteinsdottir, Kristin E. Sveinsdottir, et al. (2023). Physical and cognitive impact following SARS-CoV-2 infection in a large population-based case-control study . Communications Medicine.

Thorunn A. Olafsdottir, Kristbjorg Bjarnadottir, Gudmundur L. Norddahl, Gisli H. Halldorsson, Pall Melsted, Kristbjorg Gunnarsdottir, Erna Ivarsdottir, Thorhildur Olafsdottir, Asgeir O. Arnthorsson, Fannar Theodors, et al. (2022). HLA alleles, disease severity, and age associate with T-cell responses following infection with SARS-CoV-2 . Communications Biology.

Daniel F. Gudbjartsson, Gudmundur L. Norddahl, Pall Melsted, Kristbjorg Gunnarsdottir, Hilma Holm, Elias Eythorsson, Asgeir O. Arnthorsson, Dadi Helgason, Kristbjorg Bjarnadottir, Ragnar F. Ingvarsson, et al. (2020). Humoral Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2 in Iceland . New England Journal of Medicine.

Saedis Saevarsdottir, Thorunn A. Olafsdottir, Erna V. Ivarsdottir, Gisli H. Halldorsson, Kristbjorg Gunnarsdottir, Asgeir Sigurdsson, Ari Johannesson, Jon K. Sigurdsson, Thorhildur Juliusdottir, Sigrun H. Lund, et al. (2020). FLT3 stop mutation increases FLT3 ligand level and risk of autoimmune thyroid disease . Nature.

Thorunn A. Olafsdottir, Fannar Theodors, Kristbjorg Bjarnadottir, Unnur Steina Bjornsdottir, Arna B. Agustsdottir, Olafur A. Stefansson, Erna V. Ivarsdottir, Jon K. Sigurdsson, Stefania Benonisdottir, Gudmundur I. Eyjolfsson, et al. (2020). Eighty-eight variants highlight the role of T cell regulation and airway remodeling in asthma pathogenesis . Nature Communications.

Gyda Bjornsdottir, Erna V. Ivarsdottir, Kristbjorg Bjarnadottir, Stefania Benonisdottir, Sandra Sif Gylfadottir, Gudny A. Arnadottir, Rafn Benediktsson, Gisli Hreinn Halldorsson, Anna Helgadottir, Adalbjorg Jonasdottir, et al. (2019). A PRPH splice-donor variant associates with reduced sural nerve amplitude and risk of peripheral neuropathy . Nature Communications.

Unnur Styrkarsdottir, Sigrun H. Lund, Gudmar Thorleifsson, Florian Zink, Olafur A. Stefansson, Jon K. Sigurdsson, Kristinn Juliusson, Kristbjörg Bjarnadottir, Sara Sigurbjornsdottir, Stefan Jonsson, et al. (2018). Meta-analysis of Icelandic and UK data sets identifies missense variants in SMO, IL11, COL11A1 and 13 more new loci associated with osteoarthritis . Nature Genetics.

Nicolas Molnarfi, Kristbjörg Bjarnadóttir, Mahdia Benkhoucha, Catherine Juillard, Patrice H. Lalive (2017). Activation of human B cells negatively regulates TGF-β1 production . Journal of Neuroinflammation.

Mahdia Benkhoucha, Nicolas Molnarfi, Gürkan Kaya, Elodie Belnoue, Kristbjörg Bjarnadóttir, Pierre‐Yves Dietrich, Paul R Walker, Denis Martinvalet, Madiha Derouazi, Patrice H Lalive (2017). Identification of a novel population of highly cytotoxic c‐Met‐expressing CD8 ⁺ T lymphocytes . EMBO reports.

Kristbjörg Bjarnadóttir, Mahdia Benkhoucha, Doron Merkler, Martin S. Weber, Natalie L. Payne, Claude C. A. Bernard, Nicolas Molnarfi, Patrice H. Lalive (2016). B cell-derived transforming growth factor-β1 expression limits the induction phase of autoimmune neuroinflammation . Scientific Reports.

Nicolas Molnarfi, Mahdia Benkhoucha, Catherine Juillard, Kristbjörg Bjarnadóttir, Patrice H. Lalive (2014). The neurotrophic hepatocyte growth factor induces protolerogenic human dendritic cells . Journal of Neuroimmunology.