Virscidian Team

I founded Virscidian, Inc. in 2008 after 11 years in pharma R&D organizations and 4 years in my own CRO. These experiences exposed the need for software solutions that enable pharma research and development organizations to solve bottlenecks in their drug discovery processes.

My diverse background in industrial automation, engineering design, software development, and systems integration helped equip me to build out a new business model that delivered software solutions backed by experienced practicing scientists.

The pharma journey started at GSK (Glaxo) to help build the first large-scale fermentation facility to support their research. This opened new opportunities to get further entrenched in the drug discovery process serving as a section lead for an assay automation team within the Research Technologies group.

At GSK, I worked side-by-side with scientists in the protein science department to build the first global biological inventory system (BioBank). Within the Research Technologies group we built the first of kind distributed computational platform (GWSuper) to improve the throughput of virtual screening algorithms used by the Computational Chemistry department.

The transition to analytical chemistry started with a new opportunity at Eli Lilly where I built the Automatic Reduction of Analytical Data (ARAD), the first high-throughput automated analytical chemistry analysis platform to support medicinal chemistry workflows.

In 2004, I co-founded a CRO (OpAns, LLC) applying the past experience and knowledge to build a new software platform (Analytical Studio) to enable staff to manage multiple workflows across multiple instrument vendors from one software interface.

My passion is to continue building a company founded on great people who sincerely care for the customers and help them succeed.

I received my BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Mississippi State University and MSc in Aerospace Engineering from North Carolina State University.

Mark received his PhD from University of Wales Swansea in the United Kingdom in pure and applied Mass Spectrometry. His early career focused on understanding customer needs and workflows; through extensive instrumentation and software demonstrations to potential customers while at Micromass (now Waters Corporation). Transitioning to product management at Thermo Finnigan (now Thermo Fisher) he furthered his experiences in hardware and software product management for different quadrupole mass spectrometry products still with a focus on customer solutions. Following his passion for software solutions to complex analytical problems, he joined Advanced Chemistry Development Inc. (ACD/Labs) where he initially managed the Mass Spectrometry range of products with innovations such as ACD/IntelliXtract for LC/GC/MS componentization and then ACD/IntelliTarget for targeted screening of substances. Transitioning to Enterprise products he was responsible for bringing about the concepts and project to drive true integration between reactions, structure and analytical data in what is now promoted as ACD/Spectrus which is an enterprise level Analytical Laboratory Notebook (ALN).Later he assumed overall responsibility for spectroscopy, enterprise and professional services as the VP & CTO.

Mark joined Virscidian Inc. in 2009 to guide the science and product direction of the Analytical Studio platform.  He has a special blend of deep analytical sciences understanding, customer workflow awareness, automation potential, software concepts and design, enterprise understanding, collaborative consulting skills, and a passion to automate data interpretation.  Using these skills, Mark continues to drive innovation and new horizons at Virscidian with a focus on real world customer solutions and projects. Recent innovations include autonomous high resolution data reduction and automated mass scale recalibration with sub-ppm substance results without user intervention. He says his dream is to fully automate analytical data reduction and results interpretation and from all indications Virscidian is achieving this in a number of areas of analytical sciences.

I joined Virscidian in 2010 as the Director of Software Development and later earned a promotion to the position of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in 2022. In my initial role as the Director of Software Development, I oversaw all aspects of software development, making significant contributions to the design of the enterprise automation backend product, Analytical Studio Express, and other products. Following my performance and leadership, my dedication and expertise led to my promotion to the key role of CTO, where I continue to shape Virscidian's technology strategy, drive innovation, and ensure the excellence of our software products.

As the CTO at Virscidian, I assume a variety of crucial responsibilities that contribute to the technological advancement and success of the company. My role involves strategic planning, innovation, and ensuring the alignment of technology initiatives with Virscidian's overall business objectives. Here is a detailed explanation of my responsibilities as CTO:

Technology Leadership:

• Strategic Vision: I am responsible for developing and communicating a clear and compelling technology strategy aligned with Virscidian's business goals.
• Innovation: I drive innovation within the organization, exploring and implementing cutting-edge technologies that can enhance Virscidian's products and services.

Software Development Oversight:

• Project Management: I oversee all aspects of software development, ensuring that projects are executed efficiently, on schedule, and within budget.
• Quality Assurance: I play a crucial role in maintaining and improving the quality of Virscidian's software products, emphasizing robustness and performance.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: I collaborate with other departments to understand their technology needs and ensure that the technology strategy aligns with the broader organizational goals.
• Communication: I communicate the technology strategy, progress, and challenges effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Team Management:

• Talent Development: I am involved in the recruitment, mentoring, and professional development of the technology team, ensuring a high level of expertise within the organization.
• Team Building: I cultivate a collaborative and innovative culture within the technology team to drive creativity and efficiency.

Technical Architecture and Design:

• System Architecture: I am responsible for defining and refining the technical architecture of Virscidian's software products, ensuring scalability, reliability, and performance.
• Solution Design: I contribute to the design and architecture of new solutions, leveraging my technical expertise to guide the development team.

Strategic Partnerships:

• Vendor and Technology Evaluation: I evaluate potential technology partnerships and assess the viability of adopting new tools or platforms that can enhance Virscidian's technological capabilities.

Risk Management:

• Security and Compliance: As a CTO, I am likely involved in ensuring that Virscidian's technology infrastructure complies with relevant regulations and industry standards. I address cybersecurity risks and implement measures to safeguard data.

Continuous Improvement:

• Process Optimization: I actively seek opportunities to optimize development processes, introducing best practices and ensuring that Virscidian remains at the forefront of technological advancements in the industry.

My role as CTO is multifaceted, requiring a blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking, leadership skills, and effective communication to drive Virscidian's technology initiatives forward.

With a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the Université du Québec à Montréal, I bring an extensive 33 years of industry experience to my role. Prior to joining Virscidian, I held pivotal positions at prominent organizations such as Microsoft Services, Compuware, Bosch Security Systems, Ohio Department of Health, Aramark, ExactTarget, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, Softbank, and CAE Electronic.

Beyond my professional life, I am an outdoor enthusiast—skiing, mountain biking, rock climbing, and hiking. I reside in Salt Lake City, Utah, with my wife and three boys. Born and raised in Montreal, Canada, French is my first language.

I received my bachelor’s degree in chemistry from SUNY Stony Brook. My early career encompassed various aspects of pharmaceutical development, focusing on analytical chemistry in roles ranging from quality control to pre-clinical support and discovery. I developed a particular affinity for chromatography and mass spectrometry, establishing myself as an expert in supercritical fluid chromatography.

My journey began with HPLC method development at Bristol Myers Squibb before transitioning to SFC high throughput purification at Alanex-Agouron-Pfizer. Leading one of the first teams to apply SFC to combinatorial libraries and medicinal chemistry, we contributed to advancements in SFC columns and instrumentation. This work earned me the R&D 100 Innovation award in 2002 for the development of Preparative SFC.

In recognition of my significant contributions, I received the Green Chemistry Group Averica Award in 2013 for my work in Preparative SFC. Additionally, the American Chemical Society honored me with the Technical Achievement in Organic Chemistry (TAOC) award in 2017.

I joined Virscidian in 2024 as Senior Scientist, drawn by my extensive experience as an early adopter and collaborator in utilizing Virscidian workflow solutions for purification and high throughput experimentation (HTE) applications. My background in analytical chemistry spans various enabling technologies, including SFC-specific stationary phases, quantitative universal detection (CLND, ELSD, CAD), and automation for high throughput workflows.

My passion lies in empowering customers to succeed in their automation processes efficiently, and I am excited to contribute to realizing this vision at Virscidian. Outside of work, you'll find me exploring local trails on my mountain bike.

Hey everyone—Don here. Great to meet you and looking forward to discussing solutions for your workflows. A bit about myself: I grew up in California but am currently residing in Frankfurt, Germany. I went to school at the University of California, San Diego where I studied chemistry and biology. I stayed at UCSD for my graduate work using mass spectrometry—primarily LC-MS/MS and MALDI-imaging—to discover new microbial natural products and elucidate their biosynthetic mechanisms.

When it came time for a postdoc, my options were to stay in California (San Diego or the Bay Area) or take a fellowship overseas. I figured, since I spent most of my life in California, let’s do something wild and take a fellowship at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg, Germany. While at EMBL, I was working on combining optical microscopy technologies with MALDI imaging-based single-cell metabolomics as well as with traditional LC-MS/MS metabolomics.

One thing led to another, and I ended up staying in Germany after the postdoc. I took a position at Merck Healthcare in Darmstadt, Germany as team leader for a high throughput mass spec lab that was part of a larger automation-focused compound logistics and high throughput screening department. My focus areas revolved around utilizing affinity selection mass spec and a fully integrated and automated MALDI system to support pipeline screening campaigns. In September of 2023, I joined Virscidian’s Business Development Team where I hope to use my experience in pharma, mass spec, and high throughput methodologies to design, create, and implement solutions for analytical workflows.

It’s only been a handful of months since I joined the team and there’s still so much to learn about the core tools, but I enjoy seeing the breadth and depth of how mass spec and related methodologies are being implemented at various organizations. Outside of science, I most enjoy cycling (gravel, road, mountain bike) but am not dogmatic to one discipline or another. I also boulder because all the biking left me with tiny little T-Rex arms, so I need to do something for my upper body strength. There’s also swing dance (Lindy, Charleston, and most recently Balboa). Very new to me is photography. I didn’t realize that all the microscopy I did during my postdoc lends itself to (the technical aspects of) photography and is also a nice creative and artistic outlet.

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I am an accomplished professional with a background in biology and economics, holding a Bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. My academic journey laid the groundwork for a dynamic career trajectory that seamlessly merges scientific expertise with business.

My career began at Lilly Life Sciences Studio, where I worked as an Analytical Chemist. Here, I played a pivotal role in revolutionizing laboratory practices by integrating automation technologies with analytical chemistry principles. This innovative approach not only optimized processes but also significantly enhanced efficiency and accuracy in scientific endeavors.

In 2019, I transitioned to Virscidian, where I currently serve as an Application Scientist. In this role, my focus lies in empowering laboratories to maximize productivity through tailored analytical support solutions. By collaborating closely with clients, I leverage my expertise to optimize workflows, streamline operations, and drive meaningful outcomes.

With a keen eye for detail and a passion for innovation, I specialize in identifying and implementing cutting-edge methodologies to address complex challenges in laboratory settings. My ability to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical applications allows me to deliver tangible results that help organizations reach their goals.

Outside of my professional endeavors, I cherish spending quality time with my family and traveling. Exploring new cultures and landscapes not only broadens my horizons but also fosters creativity and perspective that I bring back to my work.

Driven by a pursuit of excellence, I am committed to making meaningful contributions to the scientific community while continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation. With a steadfast dedication to my craft and a passion for collaborative problem-solving, I strive to empower laboratories worldwide to achieve unprecedented levels of success.

I earned my PhD in analytical chemistry at Georgia Institute of Technology. My industry experience covers various disciplines, including expertise in biophysical characterization, analytical hardware and techniques, protein formulation, and workflow automation and robotics.

At Virscidian, my responsibilities encompass business development, scientific collaboration, customer training, project deliveries, and more. I am passionate about delighting Virscidian’s customers and contributing to the scientific community by offering game-changing software solutions for LC-MS data management and processing.

I received a PhD in analytical chemistry focusing on mass spectrometry at UNC, Chapel Hill.  I learned a ton about mass spectrometry in grad school and, perhaps most importantly, I realized full-time lab work wasn’t for me, rather I decided to go the mass spec business route. I enjoyed a successful 22-year career in product marketing, product management, and sales at Thermo Finnigan (now Thermo), Applied Biosystems (now Sciex), and Agilent.  In these roles, I used my in-depth knowledge of mass spectrometry to assist in the development, marketing, and sales of these instruments. 

I enjoyed working with amazing internal researchers and external collaborators to learn even more about mass spectrometry and the variety of applications areas these instruments are used in.   Over time, I found one of the most rewarding parts of my job was figuring out how to take all the technically detailed and specific research and “translate” it into a format that was more understandable for scientists who were not always mass spectrometry experts.

When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, riding horses, and biking.  We have 1 dog, 2 cats, 2 horses, and 3 rabbits.  And a bunch of fish.

Hi there! I'm Clint Kuhl, a Software Developer at Virscidian, currently focused on building the Experiment Builder product. I'm a husband and father of 4, and enjoy spending time with my family, travelling, and playing video games and sports.

Before Virscidian, I wore many hats in the tech world. I started as a Programmer, and worked my way up to leading the team as General Manager at a local business database company. Later, I honed my skills in building modern business web apps and robust ETL processes for a business development firm.

Now, I'm thrilled to be part of Virscidian's incredible team, where we're collaborating to develop cutting-edge tools that accelerate drug discovery. My favorite part of working at Virscidian is learning from everyone I work with – from expert chemists to seasoned testers to veteran software engineers – I truly learn something new every single day!

From second grade onwards, I delved into programming, starting with Basic, then Pascal, and finally C. During my college years at the University at Buffalo, I engaged in atomic spectroscopy research, specifically using laser intracavity absorption. My graduate work at Washington University centered around NMR, primarily for molecular dynamics studies, leading to a PhD and a patent for applying NMR in the non-destructive evaluation of aircraft.

As a postdoc and employee at Monsanto corporate research, I learned CPMAS NMR and contributed to high-throughput pharmaceutical discovery and development, focusing on solid-state sample analysis. Transitioning to Amdocs, I acquired skills in software development, Java, and SQL. At Rochester Software Associates, I worked on reverse engineering of undocumented file formats and corporate web application development in Java.

My journey continued at Xerox Research and Development, where I extended operations-research-based software for job optimization and co-invented five patents. I also contributed to a patent for color management on computer monitors and cameras. Later, at ACD/Labs, I led projects, delivering data analysis, presentation, reporting, and storage solutions.

Currently involved in sample management and data analysis projects at Virscidian, I bring a diverse background to the table. Born in Philadelphia, raised and educated in Buffalo, studied and lived in St. Louis, and now residing in Rochester, I spend leisure time on bike rides along the Erie Canal, often punctuated with stops at eclectic restaurants, brewpubs, or ice cream shops.

I joined Virscidian in 2022, bringing with me years of experience in delivering Automated Test and Measurement solutions, both for bespoke delivered solutions and product development. As a jack-of-all-trades engineer, I earned my B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University, where I found every excuse to delve into programming and automate engineering tasks.

In 2014, I became part of a company providing bespoke Automated Test and Measurement systems to manufacturing industries. Leading the combined Electrical and Mechanical Engineering teams, I automated common design tasks and implemented repeatable design processes. Later, I joined another firm specializing in delivering lab-grade metrology solutions to the factory floor, where I designed and built various systems, covering Mechanical, Electrical, and Software aspects.

My career then led me to an early-stage startup focused on automating vaccine delivery in agriculture. Leveraging my expertise in sensor technology, I successfully delivered the first two proof-of-concept systems, surpassing performance requirements. Leading the Mechanical and Vision team, we crafted the first commercial-ready design for on-site trials.

At Virscidian, I am currently at the forefront, leading the design and implementation of one of our exciting new products, Analytical Studio Sample Management Services (AS-SMS). This innovative product aims to provide our customers with enhanced informatics capabilities while ushering in the next evolution of our Analytical Studio Express server software.

Outside of work, I find joy in exploring the outdoors with my family and dogs, whether by sailboat, RV, or motorcycle. Additionally, I enjoy 3D printing all sorts of gadgets and contraptions.

I earned my B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 2015 from North Carolina State University, where I actively participated in the Motorsports Club, eventually becoming the captain in my last year. In this role, I oversaw 20+ student engineers, guiding them through the process of designing, fabricating, testing, and racing an open-wheel race car. During my time at NCSU, I completed three summer internships in manufacturing before joining the General Electric Operations Management Leadership Program. In that program, I took on multiple operations roles across different plant locations.

Later, I transitioned back into the industrial space as a Software and Controls Engineer at a small industrial automation business in Cary, NC called Autonetics. Starting with wiring design and PLC programming, I quickly shifted into Embedded and .NET programming, as well as circuitry design. As a point-of-contact for multiple customers, I regularly quoted and provided features, technical troubleshooting, and installations in various countries.

In the spring of 2020, I joined Virscidian as a Software Developer, contributing to various projects across Virscidian's software offerings. Beginning as a project developer in the main software suite, I then transitioned into my current role as the technical lead for the Experiment Builder. In this capacity, I worked with a team to build a new software offering from the ground up.

In my free time, I indulge in various mechanical projects and am currently focused on rebuilding a boat engine. I also enjoy going to the gym, riding my mountain bike on trails near my house, and spending quality time with my wife and dog.

I pursued my education at Carroll College in Helena, Montana, from 2009 to 2013, and later at Western Governor’s University from 2019 to 2021. At Carroll College, I majored in Accounting and Spanish while also playing basketball. Later, at WGU, my focus shifted to Computer Science.

Before transitioning into the tech world, I spent a significant part of my life serving in the US Navy as a Naval Flight Officer for 8 years. During this time, I primarily served as a Tactical Coordinator on the P8 Poseidon in the MPR Community and also took on the role of an instructor.

In 2021, I started at Virscidian as an intern, and the following year, I gladly accepted a full-time position.  As a software developer, I provide technical project integration with our services.  I love the passion that everyone has at Virscidian where I get the privilege of working with some of the brightest and most driven individuals and am part of an amazing culture.

I enjoy seeing projects come to life through development and through integration and enjoy being able to collaborate internally and externally with our customers to provide the right solution. 

Outside of work I love my family and our community that we get to be a part of.  Going to the beach, surfing, or running around the park are all part of a great day!

I joined Virscidian in 2013 after completing a Master’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Mississippi State University. I am currently a senior software developer and the lead developer for Analytical Studio Professional. In my years at Virscidian, I have led development on many products and features, including licensing and deployment management, system suitability and trending, batch reporting and visualization tools, purification workflow sample list creation, instrument vendor readers, and much more. My main focus at Virscidian is rapid and successful creation and deployment of new features to enhance customer productivity and enjoyment of the software. I live in Nashville, TN, with my wife Helen and three kids, and I love riding bikes, playing music, and spending time with friends and family as much as possible.

I graduated from C.W. Post Long Island University with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Forensic Science and minoring in Chemistry. Throughout college, I actively participated in various group projects related to Forensic Science, including mock crime scenes and toxicology research. My internship at the Nassau County Crime Laboratory on Long Island and a visit to the Suffolk County morgue enriched my practical experience.

Before joining Virscidian in February 2022, I gained valuable experience in different analytical laboratories. Beginning as a bench chemist at a nutraceutical company, I swiftly advanced to a leadership role, contributing to research and development. Subsequently, I worked at Novartis as an analytical chemist in the Quality Control department, where I engaged in diverse projects alongside daily testing responsibilities. Notably, I enhanced analytical procedures by 20% through a vial/filter study, identifying degradation peaks originating from coating in the vials and various filters used before injection on the UPLC instrumentation.

At Virscidian, I am a crucial part of the testing and support team. My responsibilities include thoroughly testing new software releases for potential bugs before customer release, responding to customer requests/problems, troubleshooting, and installing the software in customer settings.

While the transition to working from home initially felt intimidating, I now appreciate the flexibility and the family-oriented team at Virscidian. The collaborative spirit and mutual support among team members have made it a fulfilling experience. Engaging with customers and connecting with professionals in the field adds a dynamic aspect to my role, providing ample opportunities for growth and learning.

Beyond work, I am a devoted dog mom who cherishes spending time with my furry companions. I find joy in sitting outside and reading on sunny days. Traveling and exploring new foods are among my passions, having visited diverse countries such as Peru (where I completed the four-day trek of Machu Picchu), Costa Rica (exploring volcanos and hiking the rainforest), the Philippines (island hopping), and Antigua (relaxing on the beach). I look forward to more adventures and exploring new places in the future.

I have 25 years of software development and testing experience in Microsoft and Unix/Linux environments, ranging from web development to file system testing. Over the years, I've worked for NetApp, HMHS, CombineNet, and others, using numerous technologies and programming languages. I have a passion for efficiency, automation and organization.

At Virscidian, my focus is customer support and software testing. I thoroughly enjoy serving our customers and solving problems.

Outside of work, I enjoy time with my family and activities that are part of mountain life in western North Carolina.

In this technology-intensive field, we commonly center our minds on the stuff we have created. But we can never escape the fact that customers and users sometimes need a person to meet them where they are to overcome the problem du jour. That describes much of my career. Most of my background is in IT and related fields such as technology training, documentation, and technical assistance with start-up or niche companies.

I joined Virscidian because they valued my experience and brought a great company culture to the table.

I enjoy outdoor activities and traveling around to visit the grandkids.

I received my Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of San Diego, and my Master of Business Administration fromSaint Edward’s University. I joined Virscidian in March of 2024 as a SeniorProject Manager to drive process and organizational optimization as our company rapidly grows.

Prior to working at Virscidian, I spent 7 years as a ProjectManager, leading technical teams through software and services delivery. In that time, I spent 2 years at Amazon Web Services (AWS) working with Fortune 50 financial customers for end-to-end cloud services delivery engagements. Before becoming a project manager, I spent 3 years leading operations for aProfessional Services team, building process automation, improving financial reporting, and creating standard operating procedures for the department.

When not working, you can find me spending time with my wife and daughter exploring our home state of Colorado, playing Ultimate Frisbee across the world, or playing ice hockey in a local league.