Ron Berger
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
Ron Berger serves as the CEO and Founder of VRL, Inc. He purchased the simian laboratory from Esoterix in 2004. The business has seen significant growth under Mr. Berger’s leadership with the addition of new products and services that have helped to improve the quality of research. [expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]In 2006, Mr. Berger established VRL China, offering a complete line of diagnostic services then in 2014 growth continued when he purchased the BioReliance Animal Health Services division as part of an expansion plan for offering diagnostics of rodents, rabbits and other research service models. Mr. Berger earned his B.A. in Mathematics (minor in Chemistry) in 1971 from St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas. He has spent most of his career working in IT and specifically programming. His knowledge and expertise of programming has enabled the company to maximize efficiencies and turnaround times for clients.[/expander_maker]
Dennis Pitts
President
Dennis Pitts serves as President of VRL, Inc. He earned a B.S degree from Purdue University in Animal Agribusiness and an EMBA from University of Wisconsin. He had stints as Director of Business Development at SNBL USA and as Non-human Primate Manager at Harlan Laboratories. [expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]Pitts joined VRL in 2018 as the Director of Business Development and Marketing after working with VRL as an outside consultant focusing on sales and growth strategies. His scientific background combined with his marketing expertise has given VRL a strong vision for moving forward in the competitive area of animal diagnostic testing, and he looks forward to expanding VRL’s diagnostic testing offerings.[/expander_maker]
Javier Mota, PhD
Director & Senior Scientist
Dr. Javier Mota serves as the Director and Sr. Principal Scientist at VRL Laboratories. Dr. Mota is a graduate of the prestigious National Autonomous University of Mexico, considered the top University in Mexico and a top-100 university worldwide. There, he obtained his Masters and Doctoral degrees in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. [expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]For much of his career, Dr. Mota has studied many of the world’s deadliest Infectious Diseases, including Dengue Fever, Malaria, Chagas disease, HIV, and Tuberculosis. Throughout his career, Dr. Mota worked at some of the world’s most influential institutions in Infectious Diseases, such as The National Institute of Public Health of Mexico, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, and The University of Texas institutions. Dr. Mota received many awards in his early career from notable organizations, such as UNICEF and WHO, and has been the co-investigator in many funded research projects. Among his many achievements, he developed a unique humanized mouse to study the infectious process of Dengue fever and developed an immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence analysis to track vaccine expression in tissue from SIV infected/vaccinated non-human primates. Dr. Mota’s research has been cited by many of his peers, and his contributions to the field of flaviviruses have been instrumental in better understanding disease pathogenesis and progression. Dr. Mota joined VRL Laboratories in January of 2022, joining us from the Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute where he served as a Research Scientist. Since then, Dr. Mota has been presenting VRL’s Research and Development projects in national and international scientific conferences, emphasizing VRL’s interest in the gene therapy field and other bioanalytical areas. Since 2023, Dr. Mota serves as the Director, based in VRL San Antonio, where he oversees the day-to-day operations of all our scientific teams. As the Sr. Principal Scientist, Dr. Mota is also personally involved in all Preclinical Bioanalysis operations and is always looking forward to assisting VRL’s customers achieve their scientific goals through carefully developed diagnostic tools.[/expander_maker]
Gabriela Martinez, PhD
Director of Operations, Canada
Gabriela Martinez holds a B.Sc. degree and a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Rio Cuarto, Argentina. She moved to Canada in 1997 for a postdoctoral training in molecular biology at the University of Montreal. [expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]
Prior to joining VRL Canada, Dr. Martinez worked as Scientific Director for FoodChek Systems and Labplas. She significantly contributed to the growth up and success of these companies, which had benefited from her capacity to lead and innovate in the development of diagnostic and environmental sampling products. Additionally, she has extensive experience in planning, managing, and implementing Level 2 containment facilities, with markedly improved laboratory security as well as compliance with regulatory requirements. Respect for others, implication and concern for good work guarantee her customers’ satisfaction.
In 2023, she joined the VRL family to leverage her knowledge and experience in establishing VRL Canada to effectively serve the Canadian market.[/expander_maker]
Jon Moll, PhD
Director of Operations & Scientific Affairs, Maryland
Jon Moll serves as Director of Operations and Scientific Affairs at the Gaithersburg, Maryland VRL facility. He earned a B.Sc. degree from the University of Michigan in Biology, and his PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Virginia. [expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]Dr. Moll has wide-ranging experience in the field of diagnostic assay development for IVD medical device products as a researcher, as well as director of end-stage product development. This experience includes the successful development of diagnostic tests for genetics-based ailments such as Alzheimer’s disease and thrombophilia, as well as the development of a medical device capable of detecting antibiotic-resistant STIs (sexually transmitted infections). His experience includes stints at Human Genome Sciences, Canon U.S. Life Sciences, and Becton Dickinson at various manager-level and director level positions. Jon joined VRL diagnostics in 2023 and has been using his diagnostic assay development experience to improve and extend VRL’s capabilities in the field of animal health diagnostics.[/expander_maker]
Harendra Singh Chahar, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Assistant Lab Director
Dr. Harendra Chahar earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology and Master of Science in Biotechnology from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, and a Ph.D. in Molecular Virology from India’s reputed All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at New Delhi. [expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]
Dr. Chahar is a trained molecular virologist who has a broad background in uncovering virus-host interaction, development of antivirals and molecular diagnostics, detection and characterization of viral pathogens as well as cell-based assay development.
Dr. Chahar has been working in the field of molecular diagnostics since his doctoral training and put his knowledge to work studying and developing diagnostic Real Time PCR-based Molecular detection for infectious diseases, developed multiple RT- PCR and quantitative Real Time RT-PCR assays for rapid and specific detection and quantitation of respiratory viruses (RSV, hMPV, SARS, & Influenza) as well as Dengue, Chikungunya and West Nile Viruses.
He has experience in establishing and maintaining the regulatory requirements of a CLIA laboratory. He has established processes to optimize and improve diagnostic tests and laboratory processes and serves as a CAP laboratory Inspector for Molecular pathology.
He constantly works to provide the most accurate results within a quick timeline without sacrificing quality. Dr. Chahar’s experience and background has brought him to VRL to lead the non-human primate animal health monitoring laboratory in San Antonio, Texas. At VRL San Antonio, along with ensuring the most accurate results in a timely fashion, he is also focused on providing custom solutions to meet the quantitative Real Time PCR and qualitative Real Time PCR needs of VRL’s customers.[/expander_maker]
Kathy Johnson, PhD
Staff Scientist
Dr. Kathy Johnson received a PhD in Microbiology and a MS in Parasitology from Purdue University. She brings over a decade of experience in clinical diagnostics of infectious diseases within academic research, public health, and veterinary laboratories. [expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]Her PhD focused on the development of molecular biology-based assays as well as performing epidemiological studies to characterize Mycoplasma ovis in sheep and goats. Dr. Johnson most recently worked within the COVID-19 molecular diagnostics and virology groups at the Maryland Department of Health State Laboratory in Baltimore.[/expander_maker]
Danny R. Ragland, BS, DVM, DACVPM
Pathologist
Dr. Dan Ragland earned an undergraduate degree in Biology-Chemistry from South Arkansas University (1972) and received a doctorate in veterinary medicine (1980) at Tuskegee University. He gained valuable clinical research and biocontainment experience during assignments as a laboratory animal veterinarian at Letterman Army Institute of Research, San Francisco, CA, and a 4-year residency in anatomic pathology at the Army’s Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease (USAMRIID), Ft. Detrick, MD, where he participated in studies investigating viral pathogens and toxins, including Ebolavirus, Lassavirus, Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, ricin and microcystin. [expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]He was a study pathologist for radioprotectant research at the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI) and was the lead veterinarian on the DoD contract that produced heptavalent Botulinum Immunoglobulin (BIG) from hyperimmunized horses (1993-1997). Dr. Ragland was the attending veterinarian and director of the Laboratory Animal Diagnostic Service at BioReliance, Rockville, MD, (1997-2005), where he advised and facilitated development of laboratory animal health programs, and supported GLP toxicology and bioservices teams. From 2005 to 2008, Dr. Ragland directed the laboratory animal program for Lonza Corporation, Basel, Switzerland, where he was responsible for a production animal colony that supported GMP bioproducts and GLP bioservices. Recently (2008-2020), Dr. Ragland was responsible for the animal program at the National Institutes of Health Integrated Research Facility, Ft. Detrick, MD, developing animal models for imaging studies to investigate high consequence infectious diseases. He is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine.[/expander_maker]
Lisa Tomanek
R&D Lab Supervisor
Lisa Tomanek is the R&D Lab Supervisor at VRL-San Antonio. Lisa has over 16 years of experience in the field of virology, immunology, and microbiology. She received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology with an emphasis in Cellular Biology at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. [expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]She then began her research career at Oklahoma State University where she studied the Influenza virus at the molecular level. After moving to the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, she investigated the importance of chemokines in the immunological response of mice to Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 infection. In 2006 she joined the VRL-San Antonio Research and Development team and since then has been a vital component to the growth of the organization.[/expander_maker]
Lizeth Garcia
NHP Lab Supervisor
Lizeth Garcia is Lab Manager at VRL San Antonio. Mrs. Garcia has almost 10 years of experience in Molecular Genetics, Microbiology, and Virology. She received a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology with a concentration in Microbiology and Immunology, and a minor in Chemistry from the University of Texas at San Antonio. [expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]Years later, she graduated with a Master’s of Science in Clinical Molecular Genetics from Northern Michigan University. She has collaborated in several research studies as part of VRL family. Her experience and knowledge has led to her current position, overseeing VRL San Antonio’s day-to-day diagnostic testing operations.[/expander_maker]
Jason Lankasky
Maryland Lab Manager
Jason Lankasky is Lab Manager for VRL-Maryland. Prior to joining VRL, Mr. Lankasky worked with the USDA-ARS for 2 years researching genetic anti-bacterial characteristics of tuberous plants. He has also worked with the DoD-NMRC for 7 years researching low grade traumatic brain injury causes and treatments on various animal models. [expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]During this time, he gained experience with a wide range of animals, focusing on aquatics and small rodents. The knowledge gained from these positions has led to a smooth transition, now overseeing VRL-Maryland’s day-to-day diagnostic testing operations. Mr. Lankasky earned a B.S. from the University of Maryland in Neurobiology and Physiology, and a M.S. from UMGC in Bioinformatics.[/expander_maker]
Jeff Osboe
Technical Sales Manager
Jeff Osboe serves as Technical Sales Manager at VRL. He is a value-based, solution-oriented Sales Executive with extensive experience in the healthcare, life sciences, and diagnostics sectors. [expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]
Jeff has a proven track record of driving significant revenue growth, establishing strategic partnerships, and leading high-performing sales teams to consistently exceed goals.
Jeff is recognized for his ability to transform sales operations, implement innovative solutions, and successfully launch new products across diverse healthcare settings. He brings a wealth of knowledge in laboratory diagnostics, medical device sales, business development, and strategic account management. He is adept at team development, product positioning, fostering cross-functional collaboration, profitability optimization and presenting key insights to C-level leadership. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration-Management from the University of Northern Iowa.
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John Firneno
Strategic Sales Manager
Industry veteran, John Firneno has been named VRL Strategic Sales Manager. Fresh off stints with Flagship Biosciences and Envigo, John brings a wealth of experience adding both sales management support and strategic account management to this key area of the country for VRL. [expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]From managing vivaria, colony production to in-vivo/in-vitro toxicology, John’s broad experience in delivering both products and services for pharmaceutical, biotech, medical devices and academia provides a unique understanding of client needs. With a B.S. degree in Management, John has also been an ISO Lead and has served as an IACUC Chair. With his success in building client relationships to meeting client needs, we welcome John Firneno to the VRL team.[/expander_maker]
Mike Engle
Sales Manager
Mike Engle is a Sales Manager for the East Central U.S. including Maryland, District of Columbia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois. Mike has been in the biomedical research industry for most of his career and has previously worked with several colleagues from the VRL sales team. [expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]Most recently, he was with Inotiv, prior to that he was with SAGE Labs in a business development role specializing in custom rodent model generation services. Mike brings a wealth of practical experience in commercial team leadership and strategic account management in support of a wide spectrum of organizations including pharma, biotech, and academic groups, and has worked in several geographic areas of the United States. Mike is committed to serving clients with a consistently high level of service and resolve to deliver a great experience.[/expander_maker]
Mandy Horn
Sales Manager – Preclinical Services
Mandy Horn received both her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Purdue University in Animal Sciences, and has spent the last 15 years in the laboratory animal industry. [expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]She most recently managed the Veterinary Science, Research and Support team at Inotiv, focusing on small animal technical support, health monitoring, and project management, as well as serving on the IACUC. She enjoys interacting with customers and problem solving through scientific solutions.[/expander_maker]
John Whitehouse
Sales Manager
John Whitehouse is the Sales Manager for the Northeast U.S. and Northeast Canada territories. [expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]With twenty years of award-winning Clinical Diagnostics and Life Sciences sales experience, spanning medical devices, quality measurement tools, and Laboratory Services, John comes to VRL from LGC Clinical Diagnostics, a market leader in quality measurement tools in Chemistry, Molecular, Genomics, and Serology.
He has a B.A. from Quinnipiac University with a Project Management credential from the University of Southern Maine.[/expander_maker]
Michelle Hardman
South East Sales Manager
Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology and brings over 25 years of sales experience in both Clinical Diagnostic and Veterinary markets. [expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]
Her extensive background includes laboratory diagnostics, capital equipment, and the sale of veterinary vaccines and pharmaceuticals.
Throughout her career, Michelle has successfully sold into a wide range of laboratory environments, including core laboratories, molecular labs, and those specializing in next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics platforms. On the veterinary side, she has provided vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and equipment to veterinary clinics, combining deep technical knowledge with a consultative sales approach.
Michelle’s long-standing success is built on her ability to understand complex scientific technologies and translate them into tailored solutions for her clients across both human and animal health industries.
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Kevin Simonds
Client Service Specialist
Kevin Simonds is a Client Service Specialist, with over 10 years’ experience in developing client relationships. He understands the needs of clients and ensures expectations are met or exceeded. Kevin enjoys assisting clients and providing them with the tools they need to be successful. [expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]Kevin has been involved with technology companies providing a variety of services and products. He contributes his success to being able to help clients get the information they need quickly and efficiently. Kevin is always working to better understand his clients.[/expander_maker]