Chief of staff to the deputy assistant director for research and development at the Defense Health Agency joins firm
Cornerstone Government Affairs today announced the addition of Jonathan Miller to its federal government relations team. Jonathan brings to the firm more than a decade of experience in managing diverse medical research and development in the defense health sector, with over 12 years of direct government experience leading all aspects of planning, programming, budgeting, and execution processes.
Jonathan joins Cornerstone after most recently serving as chief of staff for the Defense Health Agency (DHA) Research and Development Directorate. In this role, Jonathan provided strategic direction and oversight of the Defense Health Program (DHP) science and technology investments in the areas of combat casualty care, operational medicine, infectious diseases, medical simulation, health services, and clinical investigations. He also led multiple facets of DHA organizational transition activities, including the consolidation of military medical research and development across the Department of Defense. Previously, Jonathan served as the civilian deputy, Office of the Principal Assistant for Research and Technology at the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC). At USAMRDC, he provided oversight of the strategy, management, and execution of more than $500 million in annual Army and DHP appropriations, including the execution of research at six Army laboratories across the United States. He also served as the director, DHP (Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation) responsible for ensuring that DHP medical research and development investments aligned with Military Health System policies and strategic goals and objectives.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jonathan to the team,” said Geoff Gonella, Cornerstone president and managing director. “In addition to his stellar reputation, he is a recognized expert in the defense health space and will add immediate value to our clients and the firm.”
Previously, Jonathan also served as the research portfolio manager for the Sensory System Traumatic Injury at USAMRDC’s Clinical and Rehabilitative Medicine Research Program. In this role, he managed approximately $100 million in neurosensory research grants and contracts. Jonathan has also served as the technical coordinator for several medical research programs executed by USAMRDC’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, including the Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Research Program.
“I am honored to join the team at Cornerstone Government Affairs. The firm’s unprecedented team-based approach and depth of experience across the federal and state government is truly unique,” Jonathan said. “I look forward to engaging with current and new clients, directly supporting client needs, and bringing value to the firm.”
Jonathan’s scientific research focused on the behavioral and molecular mechanisms of drugs of abuse and has been published in several peer-reviewed scientific journals. He has also published his legal research focused on biobanking, human subjects research protection, privacy law, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations in peer-reviewed law journals. Jonathan received a B.S. in Nutrition from LaSalle University in 2002, M.S. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology from Georgetown University in 2004, Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Temple University School of Medicine in 2009, and a J.D. from the University of Maryland, Francis King Carey School of Law in 2014. He is licensed to practice law in Maryland.