Scientific Advisory Board

Dr. Carl Wittwer, Chair

M.D., Ph.D.

Professor emeritus of Pathology at the University of Utah with over 200 articles and 50 US patents in molecular diagnostics. Key achievements include developing rapid-cycle PCR, real-time PCR with SYBR Green® dye, the capillary LightCycler® system, high-resolution melting, and extreme PCR. Co-founder and CSO of Idaho Technology/BioFire since 1990; served as board chairman during bioMérieux's 2014 acquisition. Associate Editor of Clinical Chemistry since 2002; recipient of the Governor's Medal for Science and Technology (2003), Distinguished Innovation and Impact Award (2011), and Utah Genius Award (2015). He remains committed to making molecular diagnostics faster, cheaper, and better.

Dr. Karen C. Carroll

M.D.

Professor of Pathology and Director of the Division of Medical Microbiology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Trained in internal medicine, infectious diseases, and medical microbiology. Research focuses on novel diagnostics for healthcare-associated infections — particularly Clostridioides difficile and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus — and the detection of bacteremia and sepsis. Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and College of American Pathologists. Recipient of the 2011 ASM BD Award for excellence in research in Clinical Microbiology and the 2015 Infectious Diseases Society of America Kass Award and named Lecturer. Note — Her participation as an advisor to Co-Dx does not constitute or imply endorsement of Co-Dx by Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Noriko Kusukawa

Ph.D.

35-year biotech and healthcare industry veteran with experience in the United States and Japan, directing strategic investments in new technology. Former vice president for ARUP Laboratories (University of Utah) and adjunct associate professor of pathology. Colleagues called her "a trailblazer of scientific business solutions" — she introduced new clinical tests to market, established free online CME programs for pathology, built public mutation databases for genetic diseases, lobbied to expand the state newborn screening program, and forged strategic partnerships with companies. Previously consulted for BioFire managing their intellectual property and chemistry discovery programs, and served as technical director at FMC Corporation overseeing R&D and quality departments. Ph.D. in biochemistry from Kyoto University; inventor of eight patents and author of 21 articles and 11 book chapters in laboratory medicine.