About Protein Discovery

About Us

Protein Discovery, Inc. is a privately held life sciences company focused on developing and commercializing innovative sample preparation technologies that enable more sensitive, more accurate, and faster protein and peptide analysis using mass spectrometry. Protein Discovery’s innovative sample preparation solutions unlock the power of mass spectrometry for protein and peptide analysis.

Our Management

Chuck Witkowski, II President and Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Witkowski founded Protein Discovery with the goal of providing research scientists with innovative tools that streamline their protein sample preparation workflows and enhance their data quality. Mr. Witkowski is a visionary leader with demonstrated expertise in building successful medical and life science companies from inception. Prior to Protein Discovery, Mr. Witkowski worked within the Semiconductor Products Sector at Motorola Corp. Before Motorola, Mr. Witkowski founded a successful medical equipment leasing company. Mr. Witkowski holds his MBA degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and his BA degree in Economics from the University of Montana, Missoula. Mr. Witkowski is an eagle scout, a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Leadership course, a past member of the Chancellors Associates of the University of Tennessee and the Board of Directors of Technology 2020, the recipient of the 2007 Young Entrepreneur of the Year Pinnacle Award and recipient of the 2008 Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year Navigator Award.

Andrea Mravca Vice President of Sales and Marketing

Ms. Mravca joined Protein Discovery as its Vice President of Sales and Marketing in 2005. Prior to Protein Discovery, Ms. Mravca was an executive marketing and sales consultant for several high growth companies in the life sciences industry. From 2000 to 2001, Ms. Mravca served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Biowire.com, an online consumer guide for the life sciences industry serving over 50,000 scientists worldwide. Prior to Biowire, Ms. Mravca served as Senior Director of Sales at Chemdex, which later became Ventro (NASDAQ: VNTR). While at Chemdex, Ms. Mravca was responsible for designing and implementing the companys sales and distribution strategy in the U.S. Prior to Chemdex, Ms. Mravca was the Director of U.S. Sales at Molecular Devices Corporation (NASDAQ: MDCC). Prior to Molecular Devices, Ms. Mravca was a sales representative within Hewlett-Packards Medical Product Group. Ms. Mravca holds both Bachelors and Masters degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.

Jeremy Norris, PhD Vice President of Research and Development

Jeremy Norris PhD joined Protein Discovery in 2005. As Vice President of Research and Development, he is responsible for the rigorous scientific product and applications development programs that bring the companys products from concept to commerce. Dr. Norris has led the research and application development for Protein Discovery’s sample prep reagents and instrumentation systems. Dr. Norris is also an inventor of Protein Discovery’s mass spectrometry reagent product, PPS Silent Surfactant. Dr. Norris is an Adjunct Instructor of Biochemistry in the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, where he previously handled the University’s Tissue Imaging Mass Spectrometry Service and shared responsibility for designing and implementing the University’s Serum Proteomics Core. Dr. Norris has produced dozens of scholarly communications, including presentations, scientific conference posters, book chapters, and peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Norris received a PhD degree in Chemistry from Vanderbilt University and graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Chemistry from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Our Scientific Advisory Board

Richard M. Caprioli, Ph.D.

Dr. Caprioli is the Stanley Cohen Professor of Biochemistry and Director of the Mass Spectrometry Research Center at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He is also currently Professor in the Departments of Chemistry and Pharmacology at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Caprioli received his B.S. degree from Columbia University and his PhD degree in 1969 from Columbia University under the guidance of Professor David Rittenberg. Following his PhD studies, Dr. Caprioli completed a one year post-doctoral fellowship at Purdue University with Professor John H. Benyon. Dr. Caprioli is interested in the use of mass spectrometry for the analysis of compounds in biological systems. Current work includes the use of electrospray and laser desorption ionization methods with biological tissues and samples. Applications have focused on the development of this instrumentation and associated methodologies to achieve ultra-high sensitivity detection of endogenous compounds (e.g., neuropeptides) in live animal systems. Recent work involves the development of Imaging Mass Spectrometry, a technique whereby molecular images of peptides, proteins, drugs and other compounds are localized in tissue sections with molecular weight specificity. Dr. Caprioli has been a member of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry since 1975; he is currently Past-President of this society, having recently served two years each as President and Vice President for Programs. He is also a member of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Dr. Caprioli has been the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Mass Spectrometry since 1990. Dr. Caprioli has published over 300 scientific papers, including three books, and is currently co-editing a volume of Encyclopedia of Mass Spectrometry.

David L. Hachey, Ph.D.

Dr. Hachey is a Professor of Pharmacology and Biochemistry at Vanderbilt University and a member of the Mass Spectrometry Research Center where he directs the Mass Spectrometry Instrument Facility. Dr. Hachey holds a B.A. in Chemistry from Oakland University and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Dr. Hachey’s research interests include the pharmacology and physiology of lipid metabolism, analytical proteomics, bioseparations and mass spectrometry. He has published over 130 research papers and book chapters. In 1978 Dr. Hachey received the University of Chicago Award for Distinguished Performance at the Argonne National Laboratory, where he was an Associate Scientist from 1971 to 1980. From 1980 to 1998, Dr. Hachey held the positions of Assistant and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, prior to moving to Vanderbilt University in 1998. He is a consultant for Advanced Breath Diagnostics, which develops targeted diagnostic tests using stable isotopic tracers and mass spectrometry. Dr. Hachey is a long time member of the American Chemical Society and the American Society for Mass Spectrometry.

Richard King, Ph.D.

Rick King has invented or developed many of the components and capabilities that are now standard features of mass spectrometry instrumentation. Through his experience developing the fundamentals of quantitative mass spectrometry, and thousands of hours of hands-on sample analysis, applications development, and instrument design, Dr. King has become keenly aware of the critical role of sample preparation in bioanalytical methods, and is well-qualified to advise Protein Discovery with respect to the company’s core mission. In addition to providing scientific and strategic counsel to Protein Discovery, Dr. King directs the operations of PharmaCadence Analytical Services, LLC, a contract research organization he founded to provide mass spectrometry-based bioanalytical services to the pharmaceutical industry. Prior to founding PharmaCadence, Dr. King provided 14 years of service to the Department of Drug Metabolism at Merck Research Laboratories, where he specialized in bioanalysis and new technology development for preclinical drug metabolism studies. At Merck, Dr. King held positions of increasing responsibility, ultimately achieving the title of Senior Scientist. Awards held by Dr. King include the ACS Mass Spectrometry Discussion Group’s Early Career Award, and the group’s Distinguished Analytical Services Award. Dr. King was graduated with a BS in Chemistry from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and earned his PhD in Analytical Chemistry from Drexel University.

Milos Novotny, Ph.D.

Dr. Novotny is a Distinguished Professor at Indiana University’s Department of Chemistry, where he is also the Lilly Chemistry Alumni Chair and an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at the same university. Dr. Novotny is the Director of the National Center for Glycomics and Glycoproteomics, and of the Institute for Pheromone Research. His current research is focused on improving the resolution of complex biological mixtures and mass spectrometry-based methods of glycoprotein analysis. Dr. Novotny’s many published research papers mark the development and principal applications of separations technologies such as liquid chromatography, supercritical fluid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, electrospray mass spectrometry, MALDI, enzyme microreactors, lectin microcolumns, fluorescent labels, and laser-induced fluorescence. Dr. Novotny has been honored with dozens of awards acknowledging his contributions to scientific discovery and teaching and has recently received the Dal Nogare Award for Excellence in Separation Science, and the American Chemical Society Award in Analytical Chemistry. Dr. Novotny received the Ph.D. degree in Chemistry from the Brno University of Technology and served post-doctoral fellowships at the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, the Royal Karolinksa Institute, and the University of Houston. He joined the faculty of Indiana University in 1971.

Mike Story

As a scientist, inventor, and successful business executive, Mike Story adds pertinent technical knowledge and practical business experience to Protein Discovery’s advisory resources. A key figure in the development and commercialization of mass spectrometry for biological sciences, Mike Story co-designed the first commercial mass spectrometry system based on quadrupole technology and was a co-founder of Finnigan Corporation. Among his other accomplishments, Mr. Story initiated and successfully brought to market three major new mass spectrometry technologies originating from academic institutions. He has detailed the requirements and specified the development of mass spectrometer-based instrumentation for analytical biochemists and molecular biologists, managed research and engineering groups, and founded, staffed, and managed successful distribution organizations worldwide. Mike Story is the author of numerous technical articles in journals and trade publications, has written two chapters of books on quadrupole mass spectrometry, and holds seven patents in the area of mass spectrometry. He currently serves on the board of directors of Syagen Technology, Inc., and provides technology evaluation and other consulting services to the life science industry. Mr. Story graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a BS degree in Chemistry.

Frantisek Svec, Ph.D.

Famous for his contributions to the development of monolithic separations materials, Frantisek Svec, Ph.D. represents a deep resource of materials science expertise that supports and propels MALDIplexTM sample preparation cartridge development. Dr. Svec is a leader in the discovery and development of technologies for controlling polymeric attributes such as pore surface chemistry, porosity, surface area, pore size, and pore size distribution. This technology enables the design and manufacture of monolithic materials that are structurally and chemically optimized for specific applications. Frantisek Svec is author or co-author of hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific papers, and has written or edited numerous book chapters related to his fields of expertise. He is president of the California Separations Science Society and serves on the editorial boards of several prestigious scientific journals. In 2005, he won the M.J.E. Golay Award and the EAS Award for his contributions to the field of separations science. Dr. Svec received a B.S. degree in chemistry and a Ph.D. degree in polymer chemistry from the Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague (Czech Republic). Dr. Svec presently conducts research at the University of California, Berkeley, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

John Yates III, Ph.D.

Dr. John Yates is well known for his role in making mass spectrometry the central analysis method of proteomics research. Dr. Yates is a professor of cell biology and the principal investigator of the Scripps Research Institute窠s highly productive Proteomic Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, a hotbed of invention and a demanding proving ground for new proteomics technologies. In pursuit of answers to biological questions about cancer, heart disease, infectious disease, and many other research areas, Dr. Yates has developed key scientific investigation methods such as tandem mass spectrometry for peptide sequencing, the multi-dimensional protein identification technique (MudPIT), “shotgun” proteomics, and SEQUEST, a powerful and essential computer program for analyzing protein mass spectra. He is the author or co-author of hundreds of proteomics research articles and has received numerous awards recognizing his contributions to the field, including the Biemann Medal, The American Society for Mass Spectrometry Research Award, and the Per Edman Award. Dr. Yates is an Associate Editor of the scientific journal Analytical Chemistry, and serves on the Board of Reviewing Editors of the journal Science. Dr. Yates earned BA and MS degrees from the University of Maine, and the PhD degree in Chemistry from the University of Virginia.

Our Board of Directors

Chuck Witkowski, II President and Chief Executive Officer

Gary Stevenson Chairman

Mr. Stevenson is Managing Partner of Memphis Biomed Ventures I and President of MB Venture Partners. Mr. Stevenson has a unique combination of financial and strategic experience in the health care industry including four years in public accounting, seven years with one of the largest and most diversified health care manufacturers, and six years in investment banking and equity research. Mr. Stevenson was Director of Health Care Investment Banking for Morgan Keegan & Company and worked on a variety of transactions in private equity, public offerings and mergers and acquisitions. He was also an equity research analyst on medical device and health care services companies at Morgan Keegan and at A. G. Edwards & Sons. Mr. Stevenson held several management positions in finance, sales, marketing and strategic planning with Abbott Laboratories. He began his career in public accounting, where several of his clients were health care companies. Mr. Stevenson received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Missouri in 1984 and an MBA from the J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Business at Northwestern University in 1992. He is a certified public accountant and a chartered financial analyst. Mr. Stevenson currently serves on the Board of Directors for Protein Discovery and Biomimetic Pharmaceuticals and is a Board Observer at Axiomed Spine Corporation.

Kevin Lalande

Kevin Lalande is a Managing Director at Sante Ventures. Prior to founding Sante, Kevin spent seven years with Austin Ventures, a prominent venture firm with $3.9 billion under management. Before joining Austin Ventures, he was a management consultant with McKinsey & Company. Previously, Kevin co-founded and sold three successful companies: NetProfit, sold to a privately-held advertising agency in 1996; Serus, sold to Netopia (Nasdaq: NTPA) in 1998; and TimeMarker, sold to PrimeHoldings (OTCBB: PRIM) in 2001. Kevin received an MBA with highest distinction (Baker Scholar) from the Harvard Business School and holds a BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Lee Martin, PE Ph.D.

Dr. Martin is a Managing Member of Clarity Resources, LLC and a Director of Protein Discovery. Dr. Martin is a business visionary who can take ideas from concept to marketplace. After six years as a development engineer at ORNL, he founded TeleRobotics International, Inc., to develop robots to use in hazardous environments. The company, which later became iPIX, developed, patented, and introduced to the market an immersive interactive imaging method that is now used worldwide via the Internet to remotely display images. As CEO of the company, he secured funding from Small Business Innovative Research Program, which led to major corporate equity investments from Motorola Corporation and the Discovery Channel. The company went public in August 1999. Dr. Martin holds engineering degrees from the University of Tennessee and Purdue University. His technical efforts have received 20 U.S. Patents, two Research and Development Magazine R&D 100 Awards, and the 1994 NASA SBIR Technology of the Year Award. The National Society of Professional Engineers named him the National Young Engineer of the Year in 1988.

Grady S. Vanderhoofven

Grady Vanderhoofven is Executive Vice President of Southern Appalachian Management Company, LLC, and Assistant Manager of the Southern Appalachian Fund. Mr. Vanderhoofven is also the Executive Vice President of Eclipse Management, LLC, and a Fund Manager for Meritus Ventures. He is a member of the Boards of Directors for Protein Discovery, Smart Furniture, Tricycle, and ThinOptX. Mr. Vanderhoofven previously worked for ten years at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), where he worked as a materials engineer and in business development. As a commercialization manager, he led a group responsible for identification and commercialization of intellectual property and negotiated more than 50 license agreements and more than 125 commercial research and development agreements with companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 corporations. Mr. Vanderhoofven led ORNL in the creation of twelve start-up companies founded to commercialize products and services based on technology developed at ORNL. He has both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Yale University and has completed an Executive Education Program in private equity and corporate governance at Harvard Business School.