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ABOUT US
Advancing Salivary Diagnostics
OUR LAB & TECHNOLOGY
Direct Diagnostics is a clinical laboratory and biotechnology company transforming molecular testing and diagnostics through advanced science and technologies.
As a high-complexity CLIA certified lab, we provide critical and time sensitive diagnostic solutions to healthcare providers and patients across the United States. Developing accurate, efficient, and patient-friendly salivary tests is a core advantage. Our lab, located in Central Texas, serves a broad customer base with quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
OUR TEAM
Direct Diagnostics is led by a Board of Directors and Management Team with decades of laboratory, scientific, healthcare, and business experience.
ROB DONNELLY
Director
Rob Donnelly is an investor and entrepreneur with 18 years of investment management, biotechnology, and corporate board experience. His former roles include principal investing and executive management across a diverse range of emerging companies.
In 1999, Rob was a founding principal of Genesis Park, a Houston-based venture capital and private equity fund that invested across industries and structures. His experience in venture includes life sciences, material sciences, and software; while his private equity interests cover buy-out, turn-around and value-add opportunities. Rob earned a B.S. in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University and an M.B.A. in Finance from Southern Methodist University.
DR. TOM NABORS
Chief of Oral Systemic Medicine
For thirty-seven years, Dr. Tom Nabors has served as a leader in advancing oral microbiology, immunology, and the emerging field of Oral Systemic Health. Following a career in Dentistry, he launched Oral DNA in 2008, the first diagnostic laboratory to focus on the indemnification and diagnostic relevance of oral pathogens. The company was acquired by Quest Diagnostics in 2009 where Tom remained the Chief Dental Officer until 2012.
He has remained active in the industry working to advance the science as well as its implementation and impact on practice management. Tom received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Tennessee Health-Sciences and has served in senior roles across numerous professional organizations including the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health and as Adjunct Professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center: Bioscience Research Department.
PRAVIN MALLA SHRESTHA, PH.D.
Chief Scientific Officer
Pravin is a microbiologist with deep knowledge and understanding of aerobic -anaerobic bacteria physiology, cultivation, and strain characterization with extensive experience in developing and optimizing microbiology, molecular biology, immunodiagnostics assays, and molecular diagnostics.He has had extensive scientific research experience in academia and industry over the last 15 years.
Pravin obtained his Ph.D. in Molecular Ecology, Microbiology & Biogeochemistry from the Max Planck Institute –Philipps University in Marburg, Germany. After which, he completed post-doctoral programs at the University of Massachusetts–Amherst and the University of California–Berkeley. He worked at Assembly Biosciences in San Francisco, California before joining Paratus Diagnostics.Pravin has over thirty peer-reviewed research publications in various international journals including Nature.
PETER MAROON
Vice President of Sales
Peter is a proven sales professional and has extensive sales/sales management experience within the dental/medical community. He has been servicing dental/medical professionals for over 20+ years with his last 11 years focused on the launch and sales of biotech/nutraceutical products and services in both the “Business to Business” and “Direct to Consumer” channels.
Peter’s primary focus with Direct Diagnostics will be the launch of the company’s new testing technologies, including the HR5™ High Risk Pathogen salivary test. Peter has strong affiliations with numerous dental and medical organizations including, the American Academy of Oral Systemic Health, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Management Science from Bridgewater State University.
RICK MCKINNEY, D.O
Chairman
Dr. McKinney has been an active participant in a number of businesses that include founding member of Arbor House assisted livings, multiple home healthcare agencies, an accountable care organization, private allied health schools, Selexys Pharmaceuticals, board member and owner of Oklahoma State Bank.
He holds a MS in Chemistry from Texas A&M and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from University of North Texas Health Science Center – Texas College Osteopathic Medicine. He completed a Medical Oncology Fellowship at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Hospital and retired from practicing oncology in 2008. He and his wife Deborah live in Austin, Texas and have two adult children, one living in Austin and one in Santa Barbara, California.
STAY CONNECTED
JULIE COX, RDH
Senior Director Clinical Education and Customer Success
Julie Cox is a Registered Dental Hygienist. She earned her Bachelor’s degree of Science, as well as her EFDA certification at The Ohio State University. She has over 15 years of experience as a clinician in the central Ohio area. Additionally, Julie has worked as a dental consultant in the coaching/education space for over 12 years. She is most passionate, and extensively trained in oral systemic health, specifically utilizing targeted therapy to treat high risk oral pathogens.
Favorite Quote: "You can choose courage or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both." - Brenè Brown
CHRISTINE BULOT PH.D.
Clinical Lab Director
Christine Bulot earned her masters degree in genetics from the University of New Orleans and Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from Tulane University School of Medicine. She has over 15 years’ successful laboratory experience including clinical, research and academic labs as well as FDA and CDC collaboration. Certified by the American Board of Bioanalysis as a High Complexity Clinical Laboratory Director and by the College of American Pathologists as a Laboratory Inspector Team Lead. She earned the Excellence in Leadership award for her work at the Texas Department of State Health Services laboratory and is concurrently Associate Professor of Biology at Austin Community College.
Christine's Hobbies include anything outdoorsy.
Favorite Quote: “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.” - Dalai Lama XIV
LICENSES AND ACCREDITATIONS
MEGAN CARLSEN
Director of Operations
JULIE COX, RDH
Senior Director Clinical Education and Customer Success
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STEPHANIE FERNANDEZ
Research Associate I - CLIA Personnel I
PETER MAROON
Vice President of Sales
DR. TOM NABORS
Chief of Oral Systemic Medicine
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JEFF SOPKO
President and CEO
MEGAN CARLSEN
Director of Operations
Megan Carlsen has over fourteen years of professional experience in organizing chaos, critical logistics, and managing all ranks of folks. Megan brings a broad range of industry experiences from healthcare to medical devices, dentistry and beyond. Her unique ability to think through challenges in creative, logical ways, empowers her to solve problems and keep the trains running on time. With a keen eye for detail, she is helping to clear the path for greatness, building up everyone around her, and spell-checking every move we make. Plus she makes sure we all get paid on time.
To balance work and life, Megan takes to the lake in the summer and to the skies in the winter and spring. In every season, she makes the most of her back yard with her adoring pups and all their friends when they come for boarding, daycare, or socialization and obedience training.
Favorite Quote: "While direction is so much more important than speed, if you're not going fast, you're going nowhere" -me
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CHRISTINE BULOT
PH.D.
Clinical Lab Director
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MINITA SHRESTHA
PH.D.
Principal Scientist I
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PRAVIN MALLA SHRESTHA,
PH.D.
Chief Scientific Officer
MINITA SHRESTHA PH.D.
Principal Scientist I
Minita Shrestha received her Ph.D. in Microbial Ecology from the Max Planck Institute – Philipps University in Marburg, Germany. She completed post-doctoral programs at the University of Massachusetts–Amherst and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory-Berkeley. She worked at the University of Texas, Austin before joining Direct Diagnostics, San Marcos, TX. A strong advocate for microbial ecology, microbiology, biogeochemistry, and environmental microbiome, she has deep knowledge and understanding of aerobic - anaerobic bacteria physiology, cultivation, and strain characterization with extensive experience in various molecular microbiological and genetic tools.
Her professional interests focus on developing and optimizing microbiology, molecular biology, immunodiagnostics assays, and molecular diagnostics.
Besides the experiments in the lab, Minita Shrestha also has a passion for food science and loves to try new recipes in the kitchen. It is better to say, she is a fantastic cook, baker, and food-lover. Her other secret to happiness is being close to nature; she loves gardening, hiking, and exploring the World.
Favorite Quote: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” —Steve Jobs
STEPHANIE FERNANDEZ
Research Associate I - CLIA Personnel I
Stephanie Fernandez majored in Biological Science at Warner Pacific University, and has experience in research at Oregon State University. She has experience in medical testing & diagnostics for 5+ years. Working with our innovative & inspiring team is a true blessing. Hobbies include hiking, watching documentaries, and being a full time cat mom.
"Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood."-Marie Curie
PHIL JONES, M.D.
Director
Phil Jones is a retired urologist and active biotechnology investor based Norman, Oklahoma with diverse business interests including medical, biotech, energy, ranching, and real estate ventures. He co-founded Norman Urology Associates and has served as president of the Norman Physician Hospital Organization and the Oklahoma State Urologic Association. He also directed the Strategic Planning Committee as a Board Member of the Norman Regional Hospital Trust Authority.
Dr. Jones served as the lead angel and board member of Selexys Pharmaceuticals, recently acquired by Novartis Pharmaceuticals, which developed a promising treatment for sickle cell anemia. He currently serves on the board of Tetherex Pharmaceuticals which is focused upon new treatments for thrombotic and inflammatory diseases.
Dr. Jones is skillfully advised in all phases of business and life by his attorney-wife Cathleen and is protected from his longhorn cattle by his ranch partners and sons, Colin of Norman, Oklahoma, and Logan of Austin, Texas.
JEFF SOPKO
President and CEO
Jeff Sopko is a healthcare executive who, for the past four years and until June 2022, was President, CEO and Board Member of Standard Molecular, Inc., a startup genomics software company focused on oncology based in Cambridge, MA. Standard Molecular created and launched products serving the academic, community oncology and life science marketplaces with the objective of making NGS and molecular testing accessible to all patients and their physicians, and that one day these technologies and capabilities will become the standard of care in oncology.
Prior to Standard Molecular, Jeff was Managing Director and Head Industry Solutions for KPMG, LLP in New York. Jeff was a founding executive of the firm’s new global products business and lead the healthcare technology vertical which combined technology solutions (SaaS/PaaS) and the firms professional services professionals to deliver end-to-end solutions to clients in the payer, provider and life science markets.
Prior to KPMG, Jeff has held leadership positions of continuing scale and responsibility at leading healthcare companies including Surescripts, Medtronic, Becton, Dickinson & Company, Deloitte Consulting, LLP and STERIS Corporation. Jeff earned his graduate degree at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD and his undergraduate degree at Rider College in Lawrenceville, NJ. Jeff lives in CT with his wife Kelli and has two children Juliana and Gabriel. Jeff devotes is personal time to organizations who are working to solve the cancer problem and that support families impacted by this diagnosis including the Stronger Together Foundation, Love for Linley, The Patrick Dempsey Center, The Jimmy Fund, Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana Farber.
DIANA NEWTON
Research Associate II - CLIA Personnel II
PHIL JONES M.D.
Director
RICK MCKINNEY, MD
Chairman
DIANA NEWTON
Research Associate II - CLIA Personnel II
Diana Newton obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Texas State University in 2018. After obtaining her degree she began work at Direct Diagnostics (Paratus Diagnostics) in 2019. Diana has been able to utilize her skills in biology not only in the CLIA lab but also on Research & Development projects while at Direct Diagnostics. Her attention to detail, ability to adapt, problem solve and think outside the box has been integral to the Direct Diagnostics team. When not at work her interests include reading, working out and spending time with family and friends.
Favorite Quote: "Do one thing everyday that scares you." - Eleanor Roosevelt
ROB DONNELLY
Director