CARLSBAD, Calif., Aug. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- GenVault Corporation today announces that two leading industry experts, Dr. Myla P. Lai-Goldman and Dr. Jack Ballantyne, have joined its Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Lai-Goldman is currently the Chief Medical Officer, Executive Vice President, and Member of Executive Committee at Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LabCorp). Dr. Ballantyne is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Central Florida and the Associate Director for Research, NCFS with research specializing in forensic biochemistry and genetics.
“Dr. Lai-Goldman’s deep experience in transitioning research-based technologies into clinical medicine will prove invaluable to the GenVault team as we explore new technologies and products that enable the standardization of biosample handling not only for the research community, but also for the millions of samples collected in the clinical setting,” said David Wellis, CEO of GenVault. “Dr. Ballantyne’s unique experience in the development of genetic tools for forensic scientists will provide an additional key resource for GenVault as we begin to apply and extend our current tools into the forensics market in the future. Together with our current SAB members, GenVault has assembled an exceptional group with broad and diverse interest and expertise in improving the management of biological samples.”
“Accurate diagnosis of a patient is absolutely related to the quality of the sample to be tested. Providing tools that enable consistent sample quality regardless of the collection or handling conditions can improve diagnostic success. I’m pleased to be a part of the scientific advisory board for this technology,” said Dr. Lai-Goldman.
“Sample preservation is the lifeblood of forensic scientists. Justice can’t be carried out unless we can be absolutely sure that our stored samples are giving us accurate results, are traceable and work every time. GenVault’s product pipeline is intended to give forensic science that peace of mind,” said Dr. Ballantyne.
Myla Lai-Goldman has been Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer since April 2008. Previously, she had served as Chief Scientific Officer and Medical Director since April 1998. During this period Dr. Lai-Goldman managed the Center for Molecular Biology and Pathology at LabCorp’s Research Triangle Park, NC facility, National Genetics Institute, Inc. in Los Angeles, and Viro-Med Laboratories, Inc. in Minneapolis, MN. She is Board Certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and serves as a member of the Executive Committee of LabCorp. Dr. Lai-Goldman, who holds a medical degree from Columbia University, was named Senior Vice President of LabCorp in 1997 and held the position of Medical Director for the Center for Molecular Biology and Pathology since 1991 (with Roche Biomedical Laboratories (RBL) and subsequently LabCorp).
Prior to entering academia Dr. Ballantyne was an operational forensic biochemist for eighteen years and worked as such in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and the US. His most recent operational appointment was as the Supervisor of the Biological Sciences Section of the Suffolk County Crime Lab in Long Island, New York where he was responsible for the management and operation of three units, a conventional Serology Unit, a DNA-PCR Unit and a DNA-RFLP Unit. He has been actively involved in the issues of laboratory standards and accreditation at the national and state levels, serving on the federal DNA Advisory Board and National DNA Review Panel and the New York State DNA Sub-committee. He possesses a B.Sc. in Biochemistry from the University of Glasgow, Scotland, an M.Sc. in Forensic Science from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland and a Ph.D. in Genetics from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. His current research interests include DNA damage assessment and in vitro repair systems, the biochemistry of the dried state, RNA applications in forensic science, Y-chromosome biomarker development, single cell analysis and phenotype prediction.
About GenVault
GenVault is the global leader in providing biosample workflow, transport, and storage solutions for genomic medicine, discovery and identification. Today, GenVault is empowering over 150 pharmaceutical companies, medical centers, academic institutions and law enforcement agencies to more fully leverage the rapidly growing genomics industry. As a scalable and reliable alternative to traditional freezers and DNA purification systems, the company’s dry state platform enables the extraction, preservation, recovery, and distribution of DNA at room temperature. Future systems will also accommodate proteins and RNA to provide a comprehensive solution. From GenPlate to the Dynamic Archive, GenVault is continuously developing and refining best practices for DNA sample management and preservation. For more information visit GenVault at http://www.genvault.com
CONTACT: David Wellis, CEO or Kerri McWeeny, Director of Marketing, both
of GenVault Corporation, +1-760-268-5200
Web site: http://www.genvault.com/
