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.

JEFF IRELAN Ph.D.

Sr. Director, Commercial Operations

Jeff is a biotech business development and marketing executive with experience in 3D co-culture models and phenotypic assays for drug discovery. He received his Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Oregon and worked as a researcher at Novartis before moving into several roles supporting commercial development for cell-based phenotypic assay platform companies. He enjoys hiking, biking, playing mini golf with his kid and occasionally sampling product form local breweries.

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

Senior Laboratory Manager

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.

Development Scientist and Science Writer

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.

NATALYA NOSKOVA

Sr. Research Associate

Natalya Noskova is a researcher with an extensive academic and hands-on experience in fluorescent microscopy and cell biology. Natalya holds a Bachelor's degree in biology from Novosibirsk State University in Russia. After graduation she has been worked in academic laboratories. In 2018 Natalya started to work in biotechnology industry. Nowadays she is a Research Associate at Phenovista Bioscences. In her spare time she enjoys spend time with a friends, hiking, swimming and traveling.

SOPHIA DO

Sr. Research Associate

Sophia is a researcher that has experience with cell cultures and polymeric biomaterials. She earned her B.S. for bioengineering: biotechnology at UCSD. After graduation, she joined Genentech where she cultured and purified cells for drug production. She later earned her M.S. for bioengineering at SDSU for her research on the synthesis and characterization of polymeric microspheres intended for impact mitigating purposes. In her spare time, she enjoys crafting, playing video games, and playing board games with friends.

TYLER COLLINS

Research Associate II

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.

KOUROSH KOUHMAREH

Research Associate II

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.

JAKE BUFORD

Research Associate I

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.

MIKAYLA KRICFALUSI

Research Associate

Mikayla is a researcher with experience with molecular biology and biochemistry lab techniques. She earned her B.A. in Biochemistry and Sociology at Grinnell College. While attending Grinnell, she worked in a bacterial genetics lab in New Zealand as well as conducted research on SLUG stabilization in breast cancer. In her spare time, she enjoys playing basketball, long distance backpacking, and traveling.

CHARLENE VONG

Research Assistant

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.

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.

REESE PRENTICE

Research Associate

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.

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.