Meet Our Leading Team
Genomic testing cooperative team
Jill Cook
Chief Operations Officer
Alfonso Lam
Director of Bioinformatics
Medical Team
Genomic testing cooperative team
AhmadCharifa, MD
Medical DirectorSolid Tumors
Arash Mohtashamian, MD
Medical Director Hematology
Sally Agersborg, M.D., Ph.D.
Medical Director
Board of Directors
Chris Wicker
Board Member
Paul Henley
Board Member
Maher Albitar, M.D.
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Albitar has extensive experience in anatomic/clinical pathology, hematopathology, and molecular pathology. He also has extensive business and administrative experience as an executive leader of large laboratories, Board member, and director of large scientific and genomic diagnostic studies. Until recently, Dr. Albitar was the Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer and Director of Research and Development at NeoGenomics.
He is credited with transforming the NeoGenomics Laboratories from FISH testing company to a company offering the most sophisticated molecular testing. Prior to NeoGenomics, Dr. Albitar served as the Medical Director for Hematopathology and Oncology, Nichols Institute, Quest Diagnostics, and Chief R&D for Hematopathology and Oncology for Quest Diagnostics from 2003 to 2010. From 1991 to 2003, Dr. Albitar held various faculty positions at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, including Section Chief of Leukemia Section in Laboratory Medicine and Pathology Department, Director of the molecular laboratory and Director of Hematopathology Fellowship program.
Dr. Albitar was a tenured full professor in Pathology and Leukemia at the time of leaving MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Albitar is certified AP/CP pathologist with fellowship training in Hematopathology and molecular pathology. After his training in Hematopathology, Dr. Albitar spent 4 years in Physician/Scientist training program at the University of Pennsylvania/Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Department of Genetics. Dr. Albitar has published more than 300 peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, and review articles. He is the lead inventor on more than 50 different patents and patent applications.
Dr. Maher Albitar is the founder and CEO of Genomic Testing Cooperative, LCA.
Dr. Albitar has extensive experience in anatomic/clinical pathology, hematopathology, and molecular pathology. He also has extensive business and administrative experience as an executive leader of large laboratories, Board member, and director of large scientific and genomic diagnostic studies. Until recently, Dr. Albitar was the Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer and Director of Research and Development at NeoGenomics.
He is credit of transforming the NeoGenomics Laboratories from FISH testing company to a company offering the most sophisticated molecular testing. Prior to NeoGenomics, Dr. Albitar served as the Medical Director for Hematopathology and Oncology, Nichols Institute, Quest Diagnostics, and Chief R&D for Hematopathology and Oncology for Quest Diagnostics from 2003 to 2010. From 1991 to 2003, Dr. Albitar held various faculty positions at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, including Section Chief of Leukemia Section in Laboratory Medicine and Pathology Department, Director of the molecular laboratory and Director of Hematopathology Fellowship program.
Dr. Albitar was a tenured full professor in Pathology and Leukemia at the time of leaving MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Albitar is certified AP/CP pathologist with fellowship training in Hematopathology and molecular pathology. After his training in Hematopathology, Dr. Albitar spent 4 years in Physician/Scientist training program at the University of Pennsylvania/Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Department of Genetics. Dr. Albitar has published more than 300 peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, and review articles. He is the lead inventor on more than 50 different patents and patent applications.
Dr. Maher Albitar is the founder and CEO of Genomic Testing Cooperative, LCA.
Paul Henley
Director / Board Member
Paul has extensive experience in helping organisations grow revenue, profitability, and value, honed over a thirty-year career in Management Consulting. As well as leading the development of high growth practices in Coopers & Lybrand, PWC and Deloitte Consulting, Paul has been continuously engaged in leading high impact Strategic, Operational, and M&A assignments for leading organisations in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. He has led a number of Global Change and Transformation Programmes for organisations in the Healthcare space as well as working with a number of Innovative organisations on navigating the journey from ‘start – up’ to value realisation and brings his extensive experience to helping GTC optimise outcomes as it grows its existing business and brings its new and exciting innovations to market.
Paul has extensive experience in helping organisations grow revenue, profitability, and value, honed over a thirty-year career in Management Consulting. As well as leading the development of high growth practices in Coopers & Lybrand, PWC and Deloitte Consulting, Paul has been continuously engaged in leading high impact Strategic, Operational, and M&A assignments for leading organisations in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. He has led a number of Global Change and Transformation Programmes for organisations in the Healthcare space as well as working with a number of Innovative organisations on navigating the journey from ‘start – up’ to value realisation and brings his extensive experience to helping GTC optimise outcomes as it grows its existing business and brings its new and exciting innovations to market.
Jennifer Varca
President
Jennifer Varca is responsible for the company’s business development activities, strategy, recruiting Co-Op members, and joint ventures. Jennifer brings years of commercial leadership experience in the diagnostics and home healthcare industries to GTC. She previously led sales within the Health Systems Division for Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute with a focus on advanced diagnostics. While there, she served as a vital influencer of the region’s strategic growth and development.
Prior to her experience with Quest, she spent more than 10 years as a Senior Executive for Maxim Healthcare Services where she was responsible for business development and the continuum of care for skilled nursing and home health services.
Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from California Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo, where she was a four-year member of the Women’s Division I Soccer team.
Jennifer Varca is responsible for the company’s business development activities, strategy, recruiting Co-Op members, and joint ventures. Jennifer brings years of commercial leadership experience in the diagnostics and home healthcare industries to GTC. She previously led sales within the Health Systems Division for Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute with a focus on advanced diagnostics. While there, she served as a vital influencer of the region’s strategic growth and development.
Prior to her experience with Quest, she spent more than 10 years as a Senior Executive for Maxim Healthcare Services where she was responsible for business development and the continuum of care for skilled nursing and home health services.
Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from California Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo, where she was a four-year member of the Women’s Division I Soccer team.
Babak Shahbaba, PhD
Director, Biostatistics & AI
Babak Shahbaba is a Professor of Statistics. His independent research focuses on Bayesian methods and their applications in large-scale biological sciences. His research experience spans a broad spectrum of novel and high-impact areas that includes statistical methodologies (Bayesian nonparametrics and hierarchical Bayesian models), computational methods (efficient sampling algorithms), and a wide range of applied and collaborative projects.
Babak Shahbaba is a Professor of Statistics. His independent research focuses on Bayesian methods and their applications in large-scale biological sciences. His research experience spans a broad spectrum of novel and high-impact areas that includes statistical methodologies (Bayesian nonparametrics and hierarchical Bayesian models), computational methods (efficient sampling algorithms), and a wide range of applied and collaborative projects.
Arie Shen
Chief Commercial Officer, Chief Information Officer
Software creation and implementation, Executive Sales and Business Development, Branding and Marketing, Technology Project Management, Entrepreneur and Investor.
For more than two decades, Shen managed and lead software projects, software creation and Implementations, and ran P&L operations with sales responsibility for publicly traded software vendors. Subsequently, Shen has enjoyed a diverse and successful consulting career growing companies and leveraging business opportunities. With his broad international background, experience and training, he has successfully guided a wide range of companies, including B2B, B2C and non-profit organizations. In addition to technology project management, Shen is expert in creating and implementing management strategy: developing and executing market penetration, defining strategies for growth and allocating resources to achieve them, and selecting and negotiating joint venture opportunities.
Software creation and implementation, Executive Sales and Business Development, Branding and Marketing, Technology Project Management, Entrepreneur and Investor.
For more than two decades, Shen managed and lead software projects, software creation and Implementations, and ran P&L operations with sales responsibility for publicly traded software vendors. Subsequently, Shen has enjoyed a diverse and successful consulting career growing companies and leveraging business opportunities. With his broad international background, experience and training, he has successfully guided a wide range of companies, including B2B, B2C and non-profit organizations. In addition to technology project management, Shen is expert in creating and implementing management strategy: developing and executing market penetration, defining strategies for growth and allocating resources to achieve them, and selecting and negotiating joint venture opportunities.
Megan Martin
Vice President, Facilities Management & HR
Megan Martin has more than 10 years of experience in Laboratory Management, Human Resources and Executive Administrative Management. As a senior Human Resource (HR) Generalist at GTC, she acts as liaison between employees and management to answer questions or concerns regarding company policies, practices and regulations and collect and analyze human resources data, and made recommendations for changes to management procedures. Prior to GTC she was the Facility Manager and leader of human resources at NeoGenomics Laboratories in Irvine, CA. Her duties included facilitating daily operations, assisting with audits, record keeping of medical instruments, coordinating and monitoring lab modifications, and supervised construction projects. Additionally, she was responsible for maintaining the regulatory and waste profile streams.
She has received multiple certifications in Computer Information Systems, and Project Construction Management and started a career at Northrop Grumman in El Segundo, CA where she maintains a DOD (Department of Defense) clearance and a confidential level clearance working on military contracts and facilities infrastructure. She assisted in blueprint metrics, tooling and supplies for F18 super Hornets & F35 Lockheed Martin aircrafts and facilitate daily process for over 350 employees. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Science with an emphasis in Health Administration.
Megan Martin has more than 10 years of experience in Laboratory Management, Human Resources and Executive Administrative Management. As a senior Human Resource (HR) Generalist at GTC, she acts as liaison between employees and management to answer questions or concerns regarding company policies, practices and regulations and collect and analyze human resources data, and made recommendations for changes to management procedures. Prior to GTC she was the Facility Manager and leader of human resources at NeoGenomics Laboratories in Irvine, CA. Her duties included facilitating daily operations, assisting with audits, record keeping of medical instruments, coordinating and monitoring lab modifications, and supervised construction projects. Additionally, she was responsible for maintaining the regulatory and waste profile streams.
She has received multiple certifications in Computer Information Systems, and Project Construction Management and started a career at Northrop Grumman in El Segundo, CA where she maintains a DOD (Department of Defense) clearance and a confidential level clearance working on military contracts and facilities infrastructure. She assisted in blueprint metrics, tooling and supplies for F18 super Hornets & F35 Lockheed Martin aircrafts and facilitate daily process for over 350 employees. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Science with an emphasis in Health Administration.
Jeff Owen
Vice President, Marketing
Jeff Owen has over 15 Years experience in the fields of diagnostics, pharma services, data, and life sciences. He currently serves as the VP of Marketing at Genomic Testing Cooperative and has been involved with the company since its inception.
Prior to working at GTC he has held various positions with growing responsibilities at NeoGenomics, Ambry Genetics, Millipore Sigma and Beckman Coulter. He has launched numerous first to market products including the first clinical diagnostic exome, first NGS panels for hereditary cancer and has launched GTC’s first in class liquid biopsy combining the power of cfDNA with cfRNA and AI.
Jeff Owen has over 15 Years experience in the fields of diagnostics, pharma services, data, and life sciences. He currently serves as the VP of Marketing at Genomic Testing Cooperative and has been involved with the company since its inception.
Prior to working at GTC he has held various positions with growing responsibilities at NeoGenomics, Ambry Genetics, Millipore Sigma and Beckman Coulter. He has launched numerous first to market products including the first clinical diagnostic exome, first NGS panels for hereditary cancer and has launched GTC’s first in class liquid biopsy combining the power of cfDNA with cfRNA and AI.
Sally Agersborg, M.D., Ph.D.
Medical Director
Dr Agersborg has over two decades of experience in anatomic pathology, hematopathology, molecular pathology and laboratory administration. Dr Agersborg served as Chief Medical Officer of Laboratory Operations, Medical Director and Director of Hematopathology at NeoGenomics Laboratories. Prior to NeoGenomics, she served as a Senior Hematopathologist at Quest Diagnostics, Nichols Institute. She completed her MD and PhD in Immunology at the University of Virginia, followed by Anatomic Pathology residency and fellowships in Hematopathology and Surgical Pathology at the University of California, San Francisco. She is board-certified in Anatomic Pathology and Hematopathology and has co-authored more than 50 abstracts, peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters.
Dr Agersborg has over two decades of experience in anatomic pathology, hematopathology, molecular pathology and laboratory administration. Dr Agersborg served as Chief Medical Officer of Laboratory Operations, Medical Director and Director of Hematopathology at NeoGenomics Laboratories. Prior to NeoGenomics, she served as a Senior Hematopathologist at Quest Diagnostics, Nichols Institute. She completed her MD and PhD in Immunology at the University of Virginia, followed by Anatomic Pathology residency and fellowships in Hematopathology and Surgical Pathology at the University of California, San Francisco. She is board-certified in Anatomic Pathology and Hematopathology and has co-authored more than 50 abstracts, peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters.Anamaria Munteanu, MD PhD
Molecular Pathologist, Hematopathologist
Anamaria Munteanu is a board certified pathologist with experience in clinical and academic setting. She completed her AP/CP residency at UCLA-Harbor, Molecular Genetic Pathology fellowship at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and Hematopathology fellowship at City of Hope, in Los Angeles.
Previously, she obtained her PhD at University of Southern California followed by postdoctoral studies investigating the role of somatic mutations in the pathobiology of breast adenocarcinoma. Her scientific interests lie in studying innovative applications of genetic profiling tools leading to accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment in cancer patients.
Anamaria Munteanu is a board certified pathologist with experience in clinical and academic setting. She completed her AP/CP residency at UCLA-Harbor, Molecular Genetic Pathology fellowship at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and Hematopathology fellowship at City of Hope, in Los Angeles.
Previously, she obtained her PhD at University of Southern California followed by postdoctoral studies investigating the role of somatic mutations in the pathobiology of breast adenocarcinoma. Her scientific interests lie in studying innovative applications of genetic profiling tools leading to accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment in cancer patients.