Our company thrives thanks to a dedicated team of experienced professionals whose varied skills fuel our progress and creativity. Every leader offers a distinct viewpoint and a wealth of knowledge, ensuring we remain industry pioneers. Discover the individuals steering our future and propelling us to greater achievements.
Prior to joining Pepex, Mr. Danner successfully marketed service offerings, secured product placement, increased market share, and grown revenue on five continents while affiliated with an array of Fortune 100 organizations, mid-market companies, and start-up ventures. As a senior business leader, he previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of three Nasdaq-listed companies. Retiring with the rank of Captain, Mr. Danner served as a Naval Aviator flying the F-14 Tomcat, and subsequently as an Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer supporting the Naval Air Systems Command, for 8 years on active duty plus 22 years with the reserve component of the United States Navy. Mr. Danner earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Finance from Colorado State University and holds an MBA degree from the Strome College of Business at Old Dominion University.
Ms. Turk began her career with Arthur Andersen & Co. before progressing quickly to positions of ever-increasing responsibility with Jones Intercable, Qwest Communications International, and Dex Media, a $1.6 Billion, NYSE-listed private equity portfolio company, and others. Since launching her independent consulting practice, Ms. Turk has advised clients in the Construction, Financial, Healthcare, Industrials, Professional Services, Real Estate, and Technology sectors on strategic, financial, and operational improvements. Ms. Turk earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Communication from Western Colorado University and holds a Master of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Taxation from Colorado State University.
Dr. Bupp affiliated with Pepex Biomedical as an angel investor in 1999 and became its Medical Director and a Board member in 2012. During the past 35 years, he has maintained a private Psychiatry/Pharmacology practice, led a community mental health center supporting from 350 to 11,000 patients and was the Principal Investigator in over 45 Phase III FDA sanctioned pharmaceutical drug trials. He has extensive experience with quality management, operations efficiency, FDA protocols, IT/software development, and business development. Dr. Bupp received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Wichita State University and a Medical Degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He furthered his training with a psychiatry residency followed by a Clinical Pharmacology Fellowship at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita.
Dr. Long has extensive technical expertise in nanotechnology, biosensors, bioenergy, data analytics and new business incubation. He formerly served as the Chief Executive Officer of Pepex Biomedical, Central Michigan University Research Corporation, and Bio-Nano Power. Before moving into senior business leadership roles, he led technical development teams for Colgate-Palmolive, BASF/Diversey Wyandotte, and Benckiser Consumer Products, collectively launching over 200 new products. Having been granted many U.S. and international patents in biosensor structures and nanotechnology, he is now leading the Company’s product development and commercialization programs. Dr. Long earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Michigan and a PhD in Organic Chemistry from Michigan State University.
Vojtech Svoboda has over 20 years of experience with research and development of electrochemical systems including biosensors. Dr. Svoboda holds a master’s degree and PhD degrees in electrical engineering/electrochemistry and gained extensive work experience and expertise at various European and American academic and industrial research institutions. As a principal investigator, he has completed numerous governmental grant-funded research projects. Dr. Svoboda has also served as a reviewer on the National Science Foundation biosensing panel, and at multiple peer-reviewed journals. He previously taught applied electrochemistry classes at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and was most recently affiliated with the Georgia Institute of Technology as a visiting professor.
Mr. Say was an early engineering collaborator with Professor Adam Heller at the University of Texas – Austin during the time when Dr. Heller developed the WiredEnzymeTM chemistry. He was the conceptual designer and lead engineer at E. Heller & company, and later TheraSense, Inc., during the initial development of patented structures and systems used in the original FreestyleTM blood glucose diagnostic product. In 2004, TheraSense was acquired by Abbott Laboratories for $1.2 billion, and their diabetes care division currently reports annualized revenue over $5 billion, primarily from the sale of its family of FreestyleTM LibreTM products. Mr. Say has been granted over 200 patents in biosensor structures and systems and continues to advise the Company on its quest to become a leading industry contract development and manufacturing organization source for electrochemical biosensors.
Dr. Simpson is currently the Senior Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer for CommonSpirit Health – Mountain Region, formally Centura Health. Supporting nearly 6,500 nurses across 20 hospitals and 260 clinics in three states, she is responsible for managing and evaluating system-wide clinical policies and the nursing shared governance framework, nursing professional development and the Central Staffing Office. With more than 25 years of progressive leadership experience, Dr. Simpson previously served as the senior nurse executive for Northeast Georgia Health System and CHI St. Vincent Health System. Dr. Simpson earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Tennessee State University, a Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Tennessee, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of South Alabama.
Prior to joining Pepex, Dr. Christiansen’s concluded an esteemed career with Merck & Co. Inc. spanning 30 years with assignments worldwide. His executive assignments included Senior Vice President of Merck Vaccines/Head of the Global Commercial division, and President for Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Canada. Dr. Christiansen directed wide-ranging operations leading over 10,000 employees involved in a myriad of business functions spanning clinical research, regulatory compliance, manufacturing, logistics, sales & marketing, business strategy, and risk management. His extensive experience in amalgamating and optimizing a diverse workforce from numerous dissimilar cultures produced revenue of over $10 billion USD which accounted for 25% of Merck’s overall business. Dr. Christiansen holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.
Pepex® Biomedical provides diagnostic tests to help healthcare professionals be more effective.
