ABOUT GENELEX
The Genelex Team
Leaders in PGx testing for more than 30 years
The Genelex team is comprised of seasoned experts in the field of pharmacogenetics,technologists, account representatives and lab technicians
Chris Howlett
Chief Executive Officer
Chris Howlett
President and CEO
Chris Howlett joined Genelex as Chief Executive Office in January of 2017. Prior to joining Genelex, Chris held both senior and executive leadership roles with the largest laboratory companies in the U.S., including Laboratory Corporation of America, Unilab and Quest Diagnostics. Chris brings more than 20 years’ experience in laboratory business relationships and operations. Chris brings with him a unique blend of market orientation, partner development and business acumen. He is a compelling and charismatic communicator who cares deeply about organizational development, teams and advancing each individual career within the organization. Most of all, he has a powerful commitment to our cause in delivering innovation and insight through the benefits of pharmacogenetics, empowering better healthcare decisions and outcomes. Prior to joining Genelex, Chris co-founded and engaged in several entrepreneurial ventures. Throughout his career, he has successfully provided guidance and direction while implementing efficient solutions to complex issues. Chris is responsible for ensuring the daily operational aspects of the organization are conducted in a highly professional manner, adhering to the highest corporate standards, industry regulations and a commitment to integrity and professional ethics.
Tia Aulinskas, Ph.D.
Chief Scientific Officer, Lab Director
Tia Aulinskas
Chief Science Officer, Lab Director, Board Member
A results-oriented clinical laboratory executive, Tia Aulinskas brings a successful 30 year track record in the laboratory service industry implementing technology solutions, operational strategies and improvement initiatives that drive growth, quality and cost reduction. As Clinical Laboratory Director, Tia has secured all accreditation, licensing and maintained regulatory compliance with CAP, CLIA, WA DOH, AABB, NYSDOH, ASCLAD/LAB, CA, FL, MD, RI, PA, GLP, GCLP, and 21 CFR part 11. She directs high complexity molecular laboratory services for hospitals, clinics, reference laboratories, pharmaceutical, biotechnology companies, justice system agencies, and consumers. Tia co-founded Genelex Corporation in 1987, and served on the Board of YouScript Inc. She holds a doctorate in Medical Biochemistry from the University of Cape Town, South Africa and served as a senior research fellow in the Pathology Department and Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition at the University of Washington.
Dave Phillips
Chief Compliance Officer
Dave F.
Chief Operating Officer
As a certified CMS Compliance Professional, Dave Phillips brings 30 years of experience in all aspects of laboratory compliance. Dave has a track record of success in personnel training and development, data analysis, risk management, policy writing and project coordination. Prior to working with Genelex, Dave worked as a compliance officer for LabCorp, as the Assistant Director of Corporate Compliance at Unilab Corporation, as the Chief Compliance offer for the Lewis County Hospital District, and as the Compliance Director for United WestLabs. Dave has drafted and revised hospital-wide policies with a focus on HIPAA laws, as well as provided compliance training centered on CLIA, Stark Law, and Anti-Kickback Statue Limitations. Dave’s invaluable expertise investigating and assessing regulatory compliance through all aspects of the healthcare industry, combined with his sharp attention to detail and skills as a communicator, help him bring enormous value to Genelex as the Chief Compliance Officer.
Dave Colaizzi
Chief Technology Officer
Dave Colaizzi
Chief Technology Officer
David Colaizzi, CTO of Genelex, has a proven track record of successfully establishing and growing businesses, as well as pioneering technological innovations across various industries. For the past 20+ years, Dave has served as Founder/CEO/CTO of fivestar*, a Pittsburgh-based information technology and software development company, where he has led the design and implementation of countless innovative and disruptive technologies. His background in information technology and software development, experience as an entrepreneur, and success of past businesses drives the technological development and growth of Genelex.
Charles W. Fetrow, Pharm.D.
Doctor of Pharmacy
Chip, B.S., Pharm.D.
Doctor of Pharmacy
Charles W Fetrow, PharmD, offers decades of experience and knowledge in the pharmaceutical industry. The vast majority of his career has focused on botanically-derived health supplements and the roles they play in medical therapies. His understanding of botanical medicine drives his passion for helping patients in this evolving space. In addition to his pharmaceutical practice, Charles is a published author on the topic, as well as a former academic teacher and clinical instructor. His experience working within several hospitals, rich research on the subject matter, and publications on botanicals all guide the support and education of our patients and practitioners.
John W. Mucenski, Pharm.D.
Manager, Research and Development
John W. Mucenski, B.S., Pharm.D.
Manager, Research and Development
Dr. Mucenski joined Genelex in June 2018 as the Manager of Research and Development. John brings more than 30 years of clinical pharmacy and administrative expertise in the areas of oncology, hematology and bone marrow transplantation as well as drug development. He has previously held positions as Regional Director of Pharmacy Operations at the UPMC CancerCenter, as well as Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in the Division of Medical Oncology at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh and Clinical Coordinator, Oncology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.
Dr. Mucenski was instrumental in the development and implementation of a clinical oncology pathways program which lead to evidenced-based use of therapeutic agents, developed oral an oral chemotherapy monitoring program, reviewed clinical and reimbursement needs and supported a staff which included over 100 hematologists/oncologists, over 200 RNs and over 50 pharmacists. His role at Genelex will be to communicate with patients and healthcare practitioners in regards to appropriate drug therapy based upon pharmacogenetic information generated from the Genelex testing platform and the development of pharmacogenomic continuing education lectures.
Dr. Mucenski received his B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Rhode Island and his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Minnesota. He has lectured extensively both nationally and internationally on a variety of oncology related topics.
Helene Colaizzi
National Accounts Manager
Helene Colaizzi
National Accounts Manager
Helene Colaizzi joined Genelex as National Accounts in June of 2018. Prior to Genelex, Helene held manager and director level leadership roles with Intelomed, a disruptive non-invasive cardiovascular monitor for both the adult and pediatric population. She was one of the founding members of Intelomed and holds a design patent for one of the key components.
Helene possesses medical/surgical knowledge holding a Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine and completion of surgical residency at Youngstown Osteopathic Hospital. She has also held senior sales and marketing positions with nationally known medical device and pharmaceutical companies such as KCI, Dynasplint, Wyeth, and Organon.
She combines her previous experiences into the ability to break down complex concepts to make them more relatable and understandable, with a fun and engaging delivery. By drawing on her real-life experiences, observations, and analogies she is relatable from the boardroom to the end user with her ultimate goal being patient-centered care.
Helene will be responsible for the initiation, cultivation and relationship management within Genelex’s pharmacogenetic market. Using compelling clinical advocacy, she will develop and maintain productive business relationships with current and prospective customers in order to generate new and grow base business for Genelex.
Josh Davenport
National Accounts
Josh Davenport
National Accounts
Josh Davenport joined Genelex as National Accounts in June of 2018. Prior to Genelex, Josh held senior management roles with some of the world’s largest financial organizations, including VISA Inc. and Verifone as well as 3 years working in the medical device field for SST Group. He brings over 20 years of experience within the risk management, program management and data storage sales industries. Concurrently, Josh was a basketball coach at Notre Dame High School in Belmont, CA for more than two decades, and the head varsity coach for 10 years. Josh’s experiences include managing teams in the Data Compromise, Business Continuity and Crisis Management departments at both Visa Inc. and Verifone. This unique skill set saw him approach situations with a confidence that allowed him to initiate practical solutions with higher likelihoods of success. While at Verifone he led the efforts in delivering an all new global risk enterprise framework for the company ensuring alignment with established regulatory standards and industry best practices. His tenure at Visa Inc. saw him managing the executive level Data Compromise Incident Response Team (IRT) that produced a highly motivated and productive team, all while maintaining consistently high employee morale.
Josh’s varied background imparts him with a remarkable mix of business acumen, leadership and communication skills. He has created internal cultures that support customer experience. This translates to a leader who is successful at conveying and delivering on the goals of improving patient care and reducing per capita health care costs utilizing pharmacogenetics to empower better healthcare decisions and outcomes.
He will be responsible for the initiation, cultivation and relationship management within Genelex’s pharmacogenetic market. Using compelling clinical advocacy, he will develop and maintain productive business relationships with current and prospective customers in order to generate new and grow base business for Genelex.
Dan Doherty
Clinical Trial Account Manager
Dan Doherty
Senior Precision Prescribing Consultant, Clinical Trial Account Manager
Dan Doherty has been with Genelex since 2006 bringing over 18 years of sales experience including 12 years in diagnostic and software sales under the umbrella of pharmacogenetics. This includes working with CRO’s and pharmaceutical companies in clinical trials, pilot studies with PBM’s and hospital systems and directly with reference labs, physicians and patients to improve medication outcomes. Working closely with Genelex’ pharmacists for years has allowed him an intimate understanding of PGx. As well as training new sales staff and conference speaking, he was published in 2015 with DNA Testing to Assess Altered Drug Metabolism in the Chiari/Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Population. Dan’s had a unique opportunity to speak near daily with patients and heard the impact polypharmacy and PGx testing has had on the quality of their lives. He previously worked onsite 24/5 managing the daily routine for residents in a non-profit group home, seeing both the positive and negative impacts of psychiatric medication management on a daily basis.
Kelly Conti
National Accounts
Kelly Conti
National Accounts
Kelly Conti has over twenty years of experience in Sales, Business Development, Sales Development, and Sales Management in several industries including Medical, Laboratory, Diagnostics, and Information Technology. The past four years, Kelly has spent her time in the clinical diagnostic mobile healthcare technology industry- providing services to customers worldwide and offering genetic testing for multiple specialties including pharmacogenetic, hereditary cancer, and general health & wellness. Kelly works closely with several physician groups including psychiatrists, cardiologists, employer wellness groups, labs, and hospitals.
Elise Mostad, M.S, MB (ASCP)
Scientist, Diagnostic Assay Development
Elise Mostad, M.S, MB (ASCP)
Scientist, Diagnostic Assay Development
A clinical laboratory Scientist, Elise Mostad, brings over 10 years’ experience in molecular biology techniques. Elise plays a key role in the validation and implementation of new high complexity clinical laboratory developed tests. She plays an active role in the design of new methods, performs validation testing and documents assay development to regulatory compliance standards. She brings expertise in molecular modeling, primer design, PCR, MassArray, TaqMan, sequencing, gene expression, DNA purification, UV-vis, protein mutagenesis, and spectroscopy. Elise earned a M.S. in Integrated Biosciences and a B.S with distinction in Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, MN.
Alex Mitchell B.S., MB (ASCP)
Laboratory Production Manager
Alex Mitchell B.S., MB(ASCP)
Laboratory Production Manager
A clinical laboratory production manager, Alex Mitchell brings over 12 years’ experience in high-complexity testing and sophisticated automation technology. Alex implements laboratory production plans, oversees daily operations and ensures testing meets quality assurance standards. He participates in the implementation of new laboratory technologies, automated platforms and assures their smooth transition into production. Alex assures high quality processes and well-trained staff. He brings expertise in genotyping services including PCR, SNP genotyping, DNA sequencing, Mass Spectrometry, DNA isolation using various methodologies and high-throughput robotics. Alex earned a B.S in Biology, cum laude from Whitworth University, WA.