Karen R. Markowicz is a registered patent agent in Sterne Kessler’s Biotechnology & Chemical Practice Group. Karen has over 28 years of experience preparing and prosecuting U.S. and foreign patent applications, including reissue and reexamination. She has contributed to patentability, validity, freedom to operate, due diligence, and infringement analyses and opinions. Karen is also experienced in PTAB appeals and inter partes review proceedings. Her intellectual property experience has involved the technical areas of human genetics (including gene therapy and diagnostics), pharmaceuticals, molecular biology, immunology, nutriceuticals, agricultural biosecurity, and medical devices.

Karen earned her M.S. in genetics from The George Washington University. Her graduate school research was in the field of immunogenetics and the application of the human leukocyte antigen complex for parentage testing. Following the M.S. degree, Karen was a staff molecular biologist in private industry where she performed DNA fingerprinting analysis for forensic investigations and testified as an expert witness in eight states. She received her B.A. in medical sociology from The George Washington University.

Technical Publications

  • Tonelli LA, Markowicz KR, Anderson MB, Green DJ, Herrin GL, Cotton RW, Dykes DD, Garner DD, “Use of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fingerprints for identity determination: comparison with traditional paternity testing methods–Part I,” J Forensic Sci.; 35(6):1265-1269 (1990).
  • Markowicz KR, Tonelli LA, Anderson MB, Green DJ, Herrin GL, Cotton RW, Gottschall JL, Garner DD, “Use of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fingerprints for identity determination: comparison with traditional paternity testing methods–Part II,” J Forensic Sci.;35(6):1270-1276 (1990).

  • M.S., Genetics, The George Washington University
  • B.A., Medical Sociology, The George Washington University

  • United States Patent & Trademark Office