Scientific Team

The Advanced Genomics scientific team has combined over ninety years experience in genomic, genetic and reproductive sciences. Staff scientist credentials include certification by the American Board of Medical Genetics in Clinical Cytogenetics, Molecular Genetics, Clinical Genetics and PhD Medical Genetics. Our scientific team has expertise to develop custom molecular assays for clients with either microarray or multiplex PCR configurations. We use the Illumina microarray platform to provide SNP genotyping, LOH and CNV studies, and gene expression analyses. Experimental design consultation and data analysis services as well as genetic characterization and pathogen testing services of tissue samples and cell lines are also provided by the Advanced Genomics scientific team.

 

Brian D. Mariani, Ph.D. Brian D. Mariani, Ph.D. is Scientific Director of the Advanced Genomics Technology Center. He received his Ph.D. from Stanford University and did postdoctoral research in developmental gene regulation at Harvard University. After serving on the faculty of Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Dr. Mariani joined the Genetics & IVF Institute to establish and direct the Molecular Infectious Disease Laboratory. He has 25 years experience in molecular biology and genetics and has performed pioneering work in molecular diagnostics, especially assay design and validation, and oversees all genomic testing services at Advanced Genomics.
   
Wayne S. Stanley, Ph.D., FACMG Wayne S. Stanley, Ph.D., FACMG is a genetics consultant to the Advanced Genomics Technology Center. He received his Ph.D. in genetics from the University of Arizona and did postgraduate studies in the Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan. He completed a fellowship in medical genetics at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan and is certified by the American Board of Medical Genetics in clinical cytogenetics and Ph.D. medical genetics. He has served as Director of Cytogenetics and Associate Professor of pediatrics and pathology at the Medical University of South Carolina, Director of Cytogenetics at Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, D.C., Associate Professor of pediatrics and pathology at George Washington University School of Medicine, and as Director of Cytogenetic Laboratories at Genetics & IVF Institute. He currently serves as the clinical cytogeneticist at Genetics & IVF Institute’s preimplantation genetics diagnosis laboratory. He is a founding fellow of the American College of Medical Genetics and is a member of the American Society of Human Genetics, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the International Society of Animal Genetics.
   
Stephen H. Pool, Ph.D.

Stephen H. Pool, Ph.D. serves as a technical advisor to the Advanced Genomics Technology Center. He received his Ph.D. from Louisiana State University with an emphasis on Reproductive Physiology and is currently the Director of the Genetics & IVF Institute Cryobanks Division consisting of Fairfax Cryobank and Cryogenic Laboratories, Inc. Dr. Pool has over 30 years of experience working in the field of embryology including cell culture systems for the in vitro development of bovine embryos and with cryopreservation technologies for embryos and semen. He has extensive experience in andrology with over 18 years in the commercial human sperm banking industry and has publications related to this work.  

   
Ottey

Michelle Ottey, Ph.D. In addition to her contribution to Advanced Genomics, Dr. Ottey is the Laboratories Manager for Fairfax Cryobank and Cryogenic Laboratories, Inc at the Genetics & IVF Institute. Dr. Ottey received her PhD in Genetics from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia in 2003 and a BA in Biology from Rosemont College in 1997. Her graduate work focus was on the FHIT gene, a human tumor suppressor found to be aberrant in multiple cancers. Dr. Ottey’s work led to the development of an assay by which to measure clonal survivability after exposure to UV irradiation. She then moved on to the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine where she completed a post-doctoral fellowship during which she studied the Mob1/Dbf2 protein complex and its role in regulating chromosomal passenger proteins. This work was important in establishing kinetochores as sites for Mitotic Exit Network (MEN) signaling. Dr. Ottey is a member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, and has served as a reviewer for the Journal of Andrology.
   
Jiming Zhou

Jiming Zhou, Ph.D. is the Associate Director of the Molecular Genetics lab of AGTC and Director of Strategic Alliance for AGTC. Dr .Zhou completed his undergraduate studies and doctoral studies in Biology at the Sichuan University (China). He received his postdoctoral trainings and conducted extensive researches in Molecular Biology, Immunology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry at the University of Iowa. He has 35 publications and has been awarded five grants during his career. From 2005 to 2007, Dr. Zhou served as research team leaders at two pharmaceutical companies. Prior to joining GIVF, Dr .Zhou served as the Director of Molecular Diagnostics at the Clinical Reference Laboratory. In addition to managing the laboratory, he conducted molecular research centered on diagnostic tests as well as business development.

   
Veronica Novik

Veronica Novik, Ph.D. is the Advisor to AGTC, a division of Genetics & IVF Institute. Veronica received her Ph.D. in Microbiology from Yale University in 2008 by studying the virulence mechanisms that bacteria employ during infection process. Her interest led to the identification and functional characterization of novel genes that mediate the interaction of Campylobacter jejuni, the major cause of bacterial gastroenteritis, with human host cells. That work also helped to develop an animal colonization model to study C. jejuni infection that contributed towards a better understanding of the pathogenesis of this important but still poorly-studied bacterium. Prior to getting her Ph.D. Dr. Novik worked at Harvard Medical School on identification of Haemophilus influenzae genes required for growth and viability that could help to define potential targets for the development of antimicrobial therapeutics. Veronica Novik also holds a BS from Belorussian State University with a major in Genetics and Biotechnology (1995).

   
Harton

Gary L. Harton, BS, TS(ABB) is a Technical Advisor to AGTCenter and the Scientific Director of the Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) Laboratory at the Genetics & IVF Institute. He has over 20 years of experience in clinical genetic testing, both in the molecular and cytogenetic testing areas, as well as a vast experience in test development, directed R&D and incorporating new platforms and testing methods into the clinical arena. Gary received his Bachelor of Science degree from James Madison University in 1987, and following a year of monoclonal antibody development for HIV research, joined the Genetics & IVF Institute in 1988. Mr. Harton has been an author on more than 30 peer reviewed scientific articles and abstracts and frequently lectures on PGD and laboratory accreditation around the world. He is certified by the American Board of Bioanalysis (ABB) as a Technical Supervisor, Molecular Diagnostics, and is a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis International Society and is an active Steering committee member, ESHRE PGD Consortium.