Meet Our Leading Team
Genomic testing cooperative team
Colleen Zirpoli
Vice President, Sales
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.
Lawrence M. Eck, CLS, MT (ASCP)
Chief Operations Officer
Lawrence has over 30 years of experience in clinical laboratory operations, testing, accreditation and management. From 2012 until 2018, Lawrence was at NeoGenomics Director of the California Operations and Director of Molecular Operations. From 2003 to 2012 he was at Nichols Institute, Quest Diagnostic as a manager of Biochemical Genetics and the Hematology/Oncology Laboratory.
Prior to that, he worked in leadership positions at multiple clinical laboratories including Group Health Cooperative, US Laboratories and SmithKline Beecham Laboratories. Lawrence has a bachelor of science degree in biology from California State University, Northridge.
Lawrence has over 30 years of experience in clinical laboratory operations, testing, accreditation and management. From 2012 until 2018, Lawrence was at NeoGenomics Director of the California Operations and Director of Molecular Operations. From 2003 to 2012 he was at Nichols Institute, Quest Diagnostic as a manager of Biochemical Genetics and the Hematology/Oncology Laboratory.
Prior to that, he worked in leadership positions at multiple clinical laboratories including Group Health Cooperative, US Laboratories and SmithKline Beecham Laboratories. Lawrence has a bachelor of science degree in biology from California State University, Northridge.
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
Vice President, Business Development
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.
Wanlong Ma
Director, Research & Development
Wanlong Ma has extensive experience in molecular testing, next-generation sequencing and developing clinical tests. She obtained her MS degree from the University of Southern California in 1991. She also has a master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Science from the University of Shen-Yang, P.R. China. She is CA certified Clinical Genetic Molecular Biology Scientist and ASCP certified. She was responsible for test development at NeoGenomics from 2012 to 2018.
Prior to that from 1994 to 2011 she was at the Nichols Institute, Quest Diagnostics as a lead/Sr R&D Scientist and R&D manager. She developed and validated most of the molecular tests for the Hematology/Oncology Department. Ms. Ma co-authored more than 40 papers and was the first author in several papers.
Wanlong Ma has extensive experience in molecular testing, next-generation sequencing and developing clinical tests. She obtained her MS degree from the University of Southern California in 1991. She also has a master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Science from the University of Shen-Yang, P.R. China. She is CA certified Clinical Genetic Molecular Biology Scientist and ASCP certified. She was responsible for test development at NeoGenomics from 2012 to 2018.
Prior to that from 1994 to 2011 she was at the Nichols Institute, Quest Diagnostics as a lead/Sr R&D Scientist and R&D manager. She developed and validated most of the molecular tests for the Hematology/Oncology Department. Ms. Ma co-authored more than 40 papers and was the first author in several papers.
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.Ken H. Young, MD PhD
Professor and Director of the Hematopathology Division
Dr. Young is an outstanding hematopathologist and a nationally known investigator in the field of blood cancer. He has extensive experience in the diagnosis of hematologic cancers, has lectured nationally and internationally on various hematology topics particularly in lymphoma and myeloma. He has published 256 original peer-reviewed articles and 52 review articles, many in high impact journals (Nature Clin Onc Rev, JCO, Blood, JHO, CCR, Leukemia and Haematologica). His contributions to the hematology field include the novel biomarker discoveries, development of diagnostic tools, molecular and genetic algorithms for the classification of blood cancer and lymphoid neoplasms. His hematopathologic and blood cancer research program is strongly supported by various resource.
Ken H. Young leads a clinical and diagnostic Hematopathology Division and provides diagnostic services and specialized testing for patients with all types of leukemia, myeloid neoplasm, lymphoma, myeloma and benign hematologic disorders. He is specialized in the diagnosis of a range of hematological disorders, including acute and chronic leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloproliferative disorders, anemias and cytopenia, benign bone marrow and lymph node disorders, B-cell lymphomas and T-cell lymphomas and cutaneous lymphomas. Ken H. Young provides consultation, laboratory testing and diagnosis, and coordinates specialized laboratories for molecular diagnostics, flow cytometry, cytogenetic and FISH analysis and specialized bone marrow testing.
Contact information
Dr. Ken H. Young, MD, PhD, Professor and Director, Division of Hematopathology, Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center and Cancer Institute, Durham, NC 27710. Office phone: 1-919-668-7568; Fax: 1-919-684-1856 and Email: ken.young@duke.edu
Dr. Young is an outstanding hematopathologist and a nationally known investigator in the field of blood cancer. He has extensive experience in the diagnosis of hematologic cancers, has lectured nationally and internationally on various hematology topics particularly in lymphoma and myeloma. He has published 256 original peer-reviewed articles and 52 review articles, many in high impact journals (Nature Clin Onc Rev, JCO, Blood, JHO, CCR, Leukemia and Haematologica). His contributions to the hematology field include the novel biomarker discoveries, development of diagnostic tools, molecular and genetic algorithms for the classification of blood cancer and lymphoid neoplasms. His hematopathologic and blood cancer research program is strongly supported by various resource.
Ken H. Young leads a clinical and diagnostic Hematopathology Division and provides diagnostic services and specialized testing for patients with all types of leukemia, myeloid neoplasm, lymphoma, myeloma and benign hematologic disorders. He is specialized in the diagnosis of a range of hematological disorders, including acute and chronic leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloproliferative disorders, anemias and cytopenia, benign bone marrow and lymph node disorders, B-cell lymphomas and T-cell lymphomas and cutaneous lymphomas. Ken H. Young provides consultation, laboratory testing and diagnosis, and coordinates specialized laboratories for molecular diagnostics, flow cytometry, cytogenetic and FISH analysis and specialized bone marrow testing.
Contact information
Dr. Ken H. Young, MD, PhD, Professor and Director, Division of Hematopathology, Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center and Cancer Institute, Durham, NC 27710. Office phone: 1-919-668-7568; Fax: 1-919-684-1856 and Email: ken.young@duke.edu