Myla P. Lai-Goldman, Chief Medical Officer of LabCorp and Jack Ballantyne, Forensic Biochemistry/Genetics Professor at University of Central Florida join GenVault's Scientific Advisory Team CARLSBAD, Calif., Aug. 5
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
EDITORIAL CONTACTS:
David Wellis, CEO or
Kerri McWeeny, Director of Marketing
GenVault Corporation
(760) 268-5200
SOURCE GenVault Corporation
