Meet the Innovation Team

Dr. Harold G. Craighead is a globally recognized expert in microfluidics and nanofabrication, holding a distinguished position as a Member of the National Academy of Engineering. His pioneering research focuses on the physics of nucleic acids in confined systems, which has led to new approaches for DNA analysis and sequencing. He holds 76 issued U.S. patents that underpin technology used commercially by companies like Pacific Biosciences Inc., making him a proven innovator. Dr. Craighead’s profound background in manipulating molecules and cells at small dimensions is the foundation for CyteQuest’s innovative technology.

Dr. Thomas Corso is a proven entrepreneur and scientist with a history of developing and commercializing successful products for the scientific marketplace. His expertise includes over two decades in microfluidics and analytical instrumentation, specializing in the manipulation of low fluid volumes. Before CyteQuest, he led R&D teams at CorSolutions and Advion BioSciences, where he successfully launched innovative products like the PeriWave Pump and the NanoMate™/ESI Chip™. With over 45 issued US and European patents and products that have advanced scientific research globally, Dr. Corso is uniquely capable of bringing proposed projects to successful fruition.

Dr. Stephen Levy, Associate Professor and Physics Department Chair at Binghamton University, is an expert in the design and utilization of microfabricated structures for the manipulation and analysis of biomolecules, particularly DNA. His research focuses on investigating single molecules of DNA in various nanofluidic structures to improve the understanding of polymer physics. Dr. Levy has successfully commercialized his work, including a collaboration on an epigenetic instrument that led to a patent and a startup company funded by an NSF SBIR grant. His expertise in successfully transferring microfluidic technology from research to market is a crucial asset for CyteQuest.

Dr. Jacob VanderBurgh is a biomedical engineer and cell biologist with a Ph.D. from Cornell University, where he developed micro-scale in vitro devices to study biophysical phenomena in cells. As the first scientist hired at CyteQuest, he established the company’s R&D laboratory and has been heavily involved in all aspects of the company’s development. His core mission is advancing the capabilities of the company’s electroporation platform. This work has been crucial in securing non-dilutive funding for CyteQuest.

Dr. Michael Stehnach is a Mechanical Engineer with a Ph.D. from Tufts University, specializing in the design and implementation of complex microfluidic systems. His background has provided him with hands-on experience in advanced fabrication techniques, including photolithography, CNC milling, and 3D printing. This proficiency ensures his capability to deliver innovative engineering solutions by designing custom robotic liquid handlers and integrated liquid delivery pumps.

Michael Yenik is an accomplished Electrical Engineer with 20 years of experience who specializes in designing both digital and analog electronics. His expertise includes taking devices from early-stage prototype to production, and this technical skill is complemented by his background as a former Google software developer and founder of his own consumer electronics company. He is responsible for the design and construction of CyteQuest’s advanced electrical components and systems.