Advisory Boards

Spartan partners with world leaders in their respective fields with hope of bringing change to molecular diagnostic testing in medical and environmental industries. Not only does a scientific advisory board point out flaws and challenge projects, it also helps to identify opportunities and provide problem solving insight for issues that arise.

Medical Scientific Advisory Board

CYP2C19 — Europe

Dr. Davide Capodanno, M.D., Ph.D.

Davide Capodanno, M.D., Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Cardiology at the University of Catania and an Interventional Cardiologist at the Cardiac-Thoracic-Vascular Department, Azienda "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele" in Catania, Italy. Dr. Capodanno is the Chair of the Scientific Documents and Initiatives Committee of the European Association of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (EAPCI). He is Co-Director of the PCR Clinical Research Course and Associate Director of TCT, and is the current Associate Editor of the European Heart Journal and previously served as Editor-in-Chief of PCRonline.com and Deputy Editor of Eurointervention. He received his credentials from the University of Catania.

Dr. Dirk Sibbing, M.D.

Dirk Sibbing, M.D., is a senior doctor and interventional cardiologist at the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich, Germany. Dr. Sibbing received his medical degree from Philipps-University Marburg, and is a member of several organizations within the field of cardiology and hemostasis, including the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH), and the German Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (GTH).

Dr. Gilles Montalescot, M.D., Ph.D.

Gilles Montalescot, M.D., Ph.D., is a practicing interventional cardiologist, professor of cardiology at the University of Paris VI, and the Director of the Cardiac Care Unit at the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris, France. He is also Director of the INSERM unit on Thrombosis and Chairman of the ACTION (Allies in Cardiovascular Trials, Initiatives and Organized Networks) study group. Dr. Montalescot received his medical degree from H. Mondor Hospital, Paris XII, and underwent fellowship training at the F. Widal Hospital, Paris VII, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Marco Valgimigli, M.D., Ph.D.

Marco Valgimigli, M.D., Ph.D., is an associate professor of cardiology and a senior interventional cardiologist at the Inselspital Universitätsspital Bern, Switzerland. He is also acting chair of the European update guideline on DAPT. Dr. Valgimigli completed his training in internal medicine at the University of Bologna, after which he received his degree in cardiological sciences at the University of Ferrera, and a Ph.D. in interventional cardiology at Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam.

Environmental Scientific Advisory Board

Shaimaa Ahmed, Ph.D.

Shaimaa Ahmed, Ph.D., is Spartan's lead microbiologist. Dr. Ahmed is responsible for environmental assay development and integrating assays with Spartan's rapid genetic testing device. Dr. Ahmed is a member of leading Legionella control committees, including American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 188, ASHRAE 514, and ISO 12869. She holds a bachelor's degree in pharmacology from McMaster University and a Ph.D. in pharmacology and toxicology from the University of Toronto.

Tim Keane

Tim Keane is recognized internationally as a leading expert in controlling Legionella in building and industrial water systems. He has published articles and books on the subject and has co-written regulatory documents for ASHRAE and American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE). Mr. Keane has over 25 years experience in water system consulting and over 10 years experience in facility design, construction and operation. His company, Legionella Risk Management, Inc. provides consulting services for including; outbreak investigation, root cause analysis, control and remediation of legionella from water systems in commercial buildings, healthcare and industrial facilities.

William B. Pearson

William B. Pearson is a Certified Water Technologist and president of BPEARSON Consulting LLC. He has more than 40 years' experience in the water treatment industry – specializing in Legionella risk management. Mr. Pearson is active in many water treatment technical trade and related professional associations. He currently serves as Liaison for the Association of Water Technologies (AWT) to ASHRAE and the Cooling Technology Institute (CTI). In addition, Mr. Pearson is the past chair of the AWT and ASHRAE Legionella committees, and has served on the AWT task forces to the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

William Rhoads, Ph.D.

William Rhoads, Ph.D., is a research scientist at Virginia Tech. His research explores applied environmental microbiology and chemistry in building drinking water systems. William earned his PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Virginia Tech, where he was supported by the Charles E. Via Doctoral Fellowship, the AWWA Larson Aquatic Research Doctoral Scholarship, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Microbiology of the Built Environment Program. His dissertation work, entitled Growth of Opportunistic Pathogens in Domestic Plumbing: Building Standards, System Operation, and Design, has been recognized with honors, including the 2017 Outstanding Doctoral Student Award in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech and the 2017 CH2M/AEESP Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award. He has led multiple bench-, pilot-, and field-scale research projects and surveys investigating the presence and remediation of opportunistic pathogens in the aftermath of water quality emergencies, natural disasters, and severe contamination.

Nigel Richardson

Nigel Richardson is an award-winning independent water consultant with more than 40 years of experience in managing Legionella internationally. Currently, he is managing director of Collaton Consultancy Limited and serves as an expert witness for Legionella, Pseudomonas, and water treatment. Mr. Richardson is the former chair of the Water Treatment Group for the British Association of Chemical Specialties, a member of the UK's Water Management Society, and a Fellow of the Institute of Healthcare Engineering & Estate Management. Mr. Richardson holds a bachelor's degree in environmental science from De Montfort University and a master's of business administration (MBA) from the Open University Business School.