Focus Diagnostics Inc.

Array

Dr. Jan Groen is Focus Diagnostics' Vice President of Research and Development for Healthcare Diagnostics group. In this role, Dr. Groen is responsible for guiding the implementation of new technologies and the development of new reference laboratory and diagnostic assays. Prior to joining Focus in 2003, Dr. Groen was a virologist at the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine of the Erasmus University Rotterdam and R&D Director of ViroClinics BV. Dr. Groen's expertise and research interest covers viral zoonoses and emerging and respiratory viruses, and he has published more than 125 papers in international scientific journals in the field of veterinary and human virology. Most recently, he was one of the co-investigators of the newly discovered human metapneumovirus. Dr. Groen's career as a virologist includes work in the development of vaccines and diagnostic test kits, including responsibility for several clinical trials in the field of respiratory viruses. He was head of the section Viral Zoonoses of the National Institute of Public Health in The Netherlands from 1984 until 1993. He has served as a consultant for the steering committee on Dengue and Japanese Encephalitis vaccines of the World Health Organization, and was a member of the European Network for Diagnostics of Imported Viral Diseases and for many years.

Dr. Seaton is the Scientific Director of Molecular Diagnostics at Focus Diagnostics. During his decade-long tenure at Focus, Dr. Seaton has served in a number of scientific positions in research and development for the clinical laboratory. He has been instrumental in the development of numerous PCR-based assays to detect human pathogens, including HIV-2, several herpes viruses, and emerging tick-borne pathogens. His expertise in molecular mutational analysis has contributed to development of diagnostic assays for hepatitis B and C genotyping and a number of drug resistance assays to help clinicians manage infectious disease. Dr. Seaton is a frequently requested speaker on a variety of topics in molecular diagnostics. Dr. Seaton's professional experience prior to joining Focus Diagnostics' scientific team included post-doctoral research experience at the University of California, Irvine, Department of Physiology and Biophysics. His contributions at UCI focused on the isolation, purification and kinetic analysis of expressed human proteins in yeast, and physical mapping of specific Escherichia coli genes.

Christina Tran is Focus Diagnostics' Director of Laboratory Operations and is responsible for all facets of laboratory services, including Specimen Management, Client Services and Logistics. In addition, Christina oversees operations for the growing Clinical Trials area where vaccine response and other testing services are customized to meet the needs of pharmaceutical developers. Prior to joining Focus, Christina was Microbiology Supervisor VA West Los Angeles. She also held the position of acting Microbiology Chief for 2 years, conducting laboratory rounds for Infectious Disease staff physicians and serving on the Hospital Infection Control committee. Christina joined Focus Diagnostics (MRL) as Manager of Molecular Diagnostics in November 1998 to help establish and expand the new molecular diagnostics laboratory at Focus. Today, as Director of Laboratory Operations, aside from her routine duties, she has been a key player on the Quest Diagnostics integration team, coordinating the smooth transition of testing between the Cypress and San Juan Capistrano facilities. Christina holds a Medical Technology degree from Wichita State University and an MBA degree from Dominguez Hills California State University. Christina has more than 20 years of experience and leadership in the clinical laboratory area.

Dr. Prince is the Scientific Director of Immunology for Focus Diagnostics, Inc. Dr. Prince joined Focus Diagnostics after spending more than a decade providing leadership and expertise to the American Red Cross Blood Services, Cellular Immunology Division. Prior to his role at the Red Cross, Dr. Prince was a Medical Laboratory Immunology Fellow with the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Prince has published over 75 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals, and authored nearly 60 abstract presentations. Due to his knowledge of AIDS research, human retroviruses, immunology, and infectious disease, Dr. Prince is often sought out by his peers to serve as a manuscript reviewer. He is currently a member of the Editorial Board for Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology.

Jean Amos Wilson, Ph.D. F.A.C.M.G., joined the Laboratory Services Operations in 2005 as Scientific Director for Genetics. In this position, she provides leadership in genetic testing strategies and new product development for Focus Diagnostics. Dr. Amos Wilson, an ABMG-certified Clinical Molecular Geneticist and Fellow of the American College of Medical Genetics, is licensed by the State of California as a Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist, and holds NYSDOH Certificates of Qualification in Genetic Testing, Molecular Oncology and Histocompatibility. Prior to joining Focus, she directed clinical genetic molecular laboratories at Specialty Laboratories, SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories, Boston University School of Medicine and the Shriver Center for Mental Retardation. She is Chair Elect of the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) Public Relations Committee, a member of the AMP Clinical Practice Committees, and past-Chair of the Genetics Subdivision of AMP. She is also a member of the ABMG Board of Directors, the ABMG Laboratory Accreditation Committee and the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee. She is Co-Chair of the CLSI Working Group on Verification and Validation of Multiplex Assays. She has been active in cystic fibrosis research and molecular diagnosis since the mid 1980s and has published widely in these fields.

Ken Van Horn, Ph.D. joined Focus' scientific staff as Scientific Director of Microbiology and Virology in 2005. Dr. Van Horn is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the microbiology department, which includes bacteriology, virology, mycology, parasitology and mycobacteriology laboratories. In addition, he facilitates product enhancement and new test commercialization in the various microbiology areas. Prior to joining Focus, Dr. Van Horn was the Director of Microbiology for Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York, and before that he served as Chief of Microbiology at Westchester Medical Center, also in New York. Dr. Van Horn's 25 years of experience has included a number of faculty positions in microbiology and pathology at medical colleges and universities, including Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York Medical College and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He holds certification as Specialist in Microbiology (ASCP) and Certificate of Qualification as Laboratory Director, New York State Department of Health. Dr. Van Horn's CV includes a number of publications and presentations in the area of microbiology and infectious disease.

Dr. Amos Wilson, an ABMG-certified Clinical Molecular Geneticist and Fellow of the American College of Medical Genetics, is licensed by the State of California as a Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist, and holds NYSDOH Certificates of Qualification in Genetic Testing, Molecular Oncology and Histocompatibility. Prior to joining Focus, she directed clinical genetic molecular laboratories at Specialty Laboratories, SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories, Boston University School of Medicine and the Shriver Center for Mental Retardation. She is Chair Elect of the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) Public Relations Committee, a member of the AMP Clinical Practice Committees, and past-Chair of the Genetics Subdivision of AMP. She is also a member of the ABMG Board of Directors, the ABMG Laboratory Accreditation Committee and the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee. She is Co-Chair of the CLSI Working Group on Verification and Validation of Multiplex Assays. She has been active in cystic fibrosis research and molecular diagnosis since the mid 1980s and has published widely in these fields.

Dr. Mary Getz joined Focus Diagnostics in 2007 to lead the Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs organization for both the Reference Laboratory and Diagnostics divisions. She has more than 20 years of industry experience in the Quality and Regulatory Compliance arena, including a Six Sigma Black Belt Certification. Prior to joining Focus Diagnostics, Dr. Getz held various senior and executive management level positions within Johnson and Johnson. While at J&J, she worked for Biosense Webster, Neutrogena Corporation, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Janssen Pharmaceutica, McNeil Consumer, Ortho Diagnostics, and ETHICON. This provided her with a broad range of experience in medical devices, consumer products, pharmaceuticals, and clinical diagnostics along with global oversight. Dr. Getz' background incorporates a solid background in science& technology as well as in depth experience in Quality Management Systems. Dr. Getz received her PhD in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from Rutgers University. She earned MS and BS degrees in Bacteriology and Health Sciences from Wagner College in New York.

Dr. Hogrefe is the Vice President of Focus Diagnostics' Clinical Trials business. In this capacity, he is responsible for all aspects of business development and scientific oversight. Since joining Focus in 1988, Dr. Hogrefe has served in a number of key positions in R&D, laboratory operations, and product development and support including most recently, Director of Scientific Affairs and Technical Services, where he was instrumental in building Focus' Technical Services department. Dr. Hogrefe's research has focused on development of solid-phase ELISA assays for detection of post-vaccine antibody responses, autoimmune diseases, and viral serologic screening assays. Dr. Hogrefe's research has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Hogrefe received his Ph.D. in Experimental Pathology from Case Western Reserve University, and was involved with the early studies of cancer immunity and associated host suppressor response. Former positions include Associate Director of the Immunopathology Laboratory at St. Luke's Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio and Assistant Clinical Professor at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine. Dr. Hogrefe has served various committee and administrative roles with the American Board of Medical Laboratory Immunology, American Society of Microbiology, and Association of Medical Laboratory Immunologists.