Our Team

Meet the PhenoVista Team

At PhenoVista, you’ll find a passionate, specialist team of creative problem solvers ready to tackle everything from straightforward assays when your in-house capacity is overflowing, to the most complex, high risk projects.

JAMES G. EVANS Ph.D.

CEO

Dr. Evans has a background in cell and molecular biology with extensive expertise in fluorescence imaging and informatics. Dr Evans earned his PhD from the University of Edinburgh at the Medical Research Councils Reproductive Biology Unit in 1998 and later undertook post-doctoral training in the labs of Dr Jerome Groopman (Harvard Medical School) and Prof Paul Matsudaira (Whitehead Institute and MIT). Since leaving academia, Dr Evans has been involved in commercialization of life science research both for technology platforms and drug discovery. Outside of work James enjoys surfing, ice cream and chasing around his kids!

ANTHONY ESSEX Ph.D.

CSO

Dr. Essex is an expert in cell biology and disease models having earned his PhD from the University of California, San Diego in 2009 while working in Prof. Arshad Desai's lab. Postdoctoral work in the lab of Prof. Leanne Jones at the Salk Institute provided in-depth experience with advanced stem cell models. Tenures at several biotech companies have provided Dr. Essex with a deep understanding of how to leverage cell-based models and quantitative imaging to better understand disease. When not at work, Tony enjoys surfing, traveling with his wife, and reading.

BRIAN CONN

Chief Financial Officer

Brian Conn has been a financial executive in high-growth companies for over twenty years, within and
outside of the life sciences industry. Brian has served as Chief Financial Officer for companies in
diagnostics, therapeutics, medical devices, research tools and synthetic biology. He has raised
about $300 million for his companies to fund development and growth. Brian holds a Bachelor of
Science degree in Finance from Arizona State University.

MATTHEW STOLTZ

Sr. Director of Business Development

Matt is a sales and business development professional with a long history of working for high end imaging and drug discovery companies. An anthropologist by training he started his professional life by managing a lab at UMass Medical and from there moved into a 3D Imaging Specialist role. Over the years he has worked for a number of major imaging equipment manufacturers representing both traditional microscopy and high content systems in the New England area. Outside of work Matt enjoys spending time outdoors with his family and working on his old Suburban.

VIPAT RAKSAKULTHAI

Director of Business Development East

Vipat has a background in cell biology with expertise in high throughput screening, high content imaging, and applications support. He earned his BS in Biology from University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. After working at the bench at organizations such as Millennium (now Takeda), Amgen, and the Broad Institute, he then spent many years working in field application scientist roles supporting lab automation and liquid handling, cellular imaging and analysis, contract research in vitro cell biology services, and synthetic biology. His most recent business development role included supporting the New England academic and biotech community territory for cell biology services and reagents for gene editing and modulation. In his spare time, Vipat enjoys cooking and eating food, gardening, and keeping his two young sons and recently rescued German Shepard/pit bull puppy occupied.

VICKI RACICOT

Director of Application Scientists

Vicki has a background in cell biology with extensive expertise in cell based assay development, high content imaging, and applications support. She earned her BA in Biology/Biotechnology from Assumption College in Worcester, MA and a MS in Plant Cell Biology from Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. Vicki began her career working as a bench scientist for several biotech/pharma companies, with significant experience in developing secondary cell based assays to advance early phase oncology drug discovery programs. She then spent many years working in field application scientist roles supporting high content imaging, bioproduction, and microarray scanning instrumentation and software and most recently contract research in vitro cell biology services. In her spare time, Vicki enjoys seeing live music, cooking for friends and family, camping, and international travel.

STEVE WILTGEN Ph.D.

Director of Marketing

Steve has a background in mathematics and neuroscience with a breadth of experience in microscopy and image analysis. He obtained his PhD from the University of California, Irvine in Prof. Ian Parker's lab where he developed a novel super-resolution imaging technique using calcium signals arising from individual ion channels. Following his degree, Steve expanded his knowledge of microscopy applications first as a field application scientist for a high content imager, then as product manager for a portfolio of clone screening products, and most recently as director of product support for an on-line cell counter. Outside of work, Steve enjoys spending time with his family (which includes over 70 animals), playing volleyball and board games with friends, and playing games in virtual reality.

SARAH WANG

Digital Marketing Associate I

Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree in Computational Media at the Georgia Institute of Technology and has a background in graphic design, web development, and marketing. Prior to working at PhenoVista, she was the marketing administrator for a reseller of land surveying equipment and supplies. In her free time, Sarah likes drawing, playing video games, and watching sitcoms.

CHRIS KOEHLER Ph.D.

Director of Scientific Operations

Chris values efficiency. B.S. with honors in Biology from Trinity University, M.S. in Cell and Developmental Biology from UCSD, Ph.D. in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology from UCLA. Dr. Koehler has extensive experience in microscopy, cell culture, and genetics with a particular interest in stem cell metabolism and aging.

ERIKA MARTIN

Director of Laboratory Operations

Erika Martin is an industry-experienced scientist with a background in molecular and cellular biology with an extensive 10 year background in quantitative fluorescent imaging, garnered at the Whitehead Institute and MIT. Supplemented with valuable experience in embryonic stem cell biology while employed at the Salk Institute. Upon moving into Laboratory Manager positions in GLP environments, became skilled in the development and running of high content screening assays and managing a GLP lab space. Mrs. Martin has been the laboratory manager at PhenoVista since 2015. Outside of the lab, Erika can be found at brunch with friends, taking pictures of her cats, or getting lost in a book or video game.

LADAN NAGHAVIAN

Project Manager

Ladan has a background in bioengineering. She received her BSc & MSc from University of California
San Diego (UCSD) Department of Bioengineering. She worked in several research labs at UCSD, and her research focus was cancer biology and optogenetics. She switched gears to project management for biotech & drug discovery companies after graduate school. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking,
traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

ANA WANG Ph.D.

Product Manager

Ana has a background in biochemistry/chemical biology with expertise in proteomics. She has a BSc in biochemistry from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA and a PhD in chemical biology from Scripps Research in La Jolla, CA. Ana has worked in a start-up company to develop novel sample preparation workflows for proteomic analysis and in another biotech company as a scientific writer. In her spare time, Ana can be found in a local studio teaching yoga, on the trails backpacking/hiking, or cuddled up with her 16-lb cats with her nose in a book.

MARSHALL PETERMAN Ph.D.

Senior Scientist

Marshall is a cell biologist with extensive experience in early stage-drug discovery programs. He earned a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of California, San Diego where he used fluorescence microscopy to elucidate oncogenic mechanisms of the first-known Golgi oncogene. He has experience in preclinical R&D for drug targets in the areas of oncology, neurodegeneration, ophthalmology, and antivirals. Outside of work, Marshall enjoys spending time (especially camping!) with his wife and their three children.

JENA GOODMAN Ph.D.

Scientist II

Jena is a cell biologist with substantial experience using fluorescence microscopy to identify molecular pathways contributing to cardiovascular disease. She earned her PhD in Molecular and Translational Medicine at Boston University where she was awarded the Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Fellowship to identify novel therapeutic targets for ameliorating cardiac remodeling associated with heart failure. Jena continued her training as a postdoctoral trainee in vascular biology, while simultaneously working as an associate researcher in the Boston University Cellular Imaging Core. Outside of work, Jena enjoys camping, astrophotography, and transforming strangers into friends.

CARMEN TEODOROF-DIEDRICH Ph.D.

Scientist II

Carmen is passionate about cell biology, and she has expertise with various cell-based assays, immunofluorescence, and confocal microscopy. She earned her BS in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, and Genetics from the University of Bucharest in Romania and MS and Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) in South Korea. At GIST she gained practical expertise in Bioimaging and Cellular Dynamics. Then during her postdoctoral training in Neuro-AIDS at UC San Diego School of Medicine, she was able to apply her scientific skills to investigate the mechanisms of dissemination of HIV viral proteins in the brain and the effects of HIV viral proteins on mitochondrial function using human primary neuronal cells. As a project scientist at UC San Diego, Carmen worked on multiple research projects focused on the cumulative effects of HIV and drug abuse on neuronal autophagy, mitophagy, aging, inflammation, and development of mitochondrial-based therapeutics to be used as adjuvant treatments to anti-HIV therapy. Outside of work, Carmen enjoys traveling with her husband, walking by the beach, exploring art, reading, or listening to good music.

MAGGIE BOYD, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Associate

Maggie has a background in biomedical engineering with experience using fluorescence microscopy to study encapsulated in vitro protein expression systems. She has bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Physics from the University of Montana and earned her PhD in Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University, where she was awarded the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship to develop biologically based biosensing platforms for the detection of water contaminants. Outside of work, Maggie is often hiking, skiing, playing video games, or drawing.

DENNIS McDUFFIE, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Associate

Dennis’s background is in biomedical engineering, with experience in both computational biology and tissue engineering. He earned his Bachelors in biomedical engineering at the University of Virginia where he worked to develop in silico genome-scale metabolic models. He then completed his PhD, also in biomedical engineering, at the University of Miami where he developed a liver-on-chip platform. Outside of work, Dennis enjoys running, hiking, and traveling.

TYLER COLLINS

Associate Data Analyst

Tyler is experienced with computational modeling and processing large data sets. He earned his bachelors in Bioengineering at UC Merced, and then pursued a masters in Bioengineering: Biomechanics from SDSU where he created a predictive algorithm for migrating cancer cells in 3D. He spends his free time producing electronic music and playing pinball.

JONATHAN TAYLOR

Data Analyst

Jonathan has a background in neurobiology and data analytics. He earned his B.S. in neurobiology from Carnegie Mellon, and during that time he conducted research projects in the systems neuroscience and cell & molecular biology fields. He then stayed at Carnegie Mellon and earned his M.S. in data analytics for science, where he focused on developing data science/machine learning techniques to analyze scientific data. In his free time, Jonathan is always chillin’. You will probably find him playing/watching basketball, practicing the guitar, blasting music, or playing video games.

JAKE BUFORD

Assistant Laboratory Manager

Jake is a researcher with experience in microbiology, biochemistry, and clinical lab techniques. He earned his B.S. in Biomedical Science and Psychology at the University of New Hampshire. While attending UNH, he worked in an animal medical lab. After graduation, Jake moved out west to start work as a research associate at Phenovista Biosciences. In his free time, he likes to walk his dog, play disc golf and listen to the Stuff You Should Know podcast.

KOUROSH KOUHMAREH

Senior Research Associate

Kourosh is a researcher that has experience with genome assembly and genome annotation. He earned his B.S in Bioengineering & Bioinformatics at UC Santa Cruz. Kourosh worked at Mesa Biotech where he helped design lateral flow assay tests before joining PhenoVista. His biggest dream is to become a professor and teach biochemistry at a four year university. In his free time, Kourosh enjoys surfing, listening to rap music, watching sports, and drawing.

CHARLENE VONG

Research Associate I

Charlene is a recent UCSD graduate with a B.S. in Biochemistry and Cellular Biology and minor in Computer Science. Prior to Phenovista, she assisted studies on enhancing the defense mechanism of various plants. She hopes to spend her free time exploring and learning more about the beauty of mycological species, but currently spends her free time on the internet looking at them.

ALEXANDRA SHEA

Research Associate I

Alexandra is a recent graduate of the University of Massachusetts with a degree in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in Sociology. She hopes to one day return to school to further her education. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing board games, and hiking with her dog.

REESE PRENTICE

Senior Research Associate I

Reese is a recent graduate from UC San Diego. She earned her B.S. in Cognitive and Behavioral
Neuroscience with a minor in Global Health. Reese wants to further her education by attending
graduate school in the future. In her free time, Reese enjoys doing jigsaw puzzles, playing video games, and spending time with family.

EKATERINA KIRIK

Research Assistant

Ekaterina has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration. However, she decided to challenge herself and switch careers. Upon completion of the required coursework, she earned her Associate’s in Biology and transitioned into the biotech industry becoming a Research Assistant at Phenovista. In her free time she enjoys hiking, yoga, and playing tennis.

CHRISTINA FLORES

Office Manager

Christina has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Healthcare Administration and background in government and non-governmental administration. She served three years as a U.S. Diplomat at the U.S. Embassy, Guatemala City and U.S. Embassy Windhoek, Namibia. Christina also has 10 years experience in end of life care coordination. She enjoys lifting, volleyball, anything sci-fi, and hosting parties.