The BioDiagnostics Team

Quentin Schultz

Owner and President of BDI since founding in 1996
B.S from SDSU 1972
M.S. from SDSU 1976
His career includes twenty years of seed management as Quality Assurance Manager with Pfizer Genetics, Jacques Seed Company, Agrigenetics, and Mycogen Seeds, as well as Assistant Professorship at SDSU
Registered Seed Technologist (RST)

Craig Nelson

Vice President
Manager of Electrophoresis Technologies and IEF Technologies
Employed at BDI since 2002
B. S. in Agricultural Economics, Purdue University
Masters of Science in Agronomy, University of Kentucky
His career includes management positions within quality assurance and various agronomy positions at Agrigenetics and Mycogen Seeds
Certified Crop Advisor (CCA)

Denise Thiede

Vice President
Manager of Analytical Chemistry, ELISA, and Standard Seed Testing Labs
Quality Management Representative
Employed at BDI since 2002
B.S. from St. Olaf College, M.S. from University of Illinois, and
Ph.D. from Michigan State University in Evolutionary Plant Biology
Her career includes positions at Michigan State University, University of California Davis, University of Pittsburgh, University of Illinois, and St. Olaf College
Registered Genetic Technologist (RGT)

Benjamin Kaufman

Benjamin Kaufman - "Beni"

Manager of DNA Lab
Employed at BDI since 2009
B.S. and M.S. from the University of Tel-Aviv
Ph.D. from University of Illinois in Molecular Genetics
His career includes postions at Pioneer Hi-Bred International (a DuPont Company), Centre Analytical Laboratories (now Exygen Research), State College, PA

René Bylander

Manager - IT Department
Sofware Solutions Lead
Employed at BDI since 2008
Renés career includes over 12 years of software development, project management and technical support
B.S. in Computer Systems, Minor in Agricultural Engineering, University of Wisconsin, River Falls

Julie Gore

Manager - Sales & Marketing
Sales & Marketing Communicatons Lead
Employed at BDI since 2007
Studied Elementary Education and Commercial Art at University of Wisconsin, La Crosse
Completed Sales Managemet Executive Program at Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.
Julie's career includes over 21 years of sales, marketing and branding as a Senior Account Executive assisting multiple divisions within 3M Corporation.

Full Time Employees

Carol Betzel

Supervisor II - Electrophoresis Technologies
Employed at BDI since 1996
Her career includes the position of Electrophoresis Lab Supervisor at Jacques/Mycogen Seeds
Majored in Chemistry and Mathematics, University of Wisconsin, River Falls
Registered Genetic Technologist (RGT)

Robert Bioalozynski

Technician I - Research and Development
Employed at BDI since 2004
Currently studying BioTechnology at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls

Mark Blackstad

Analyst I - DNA Technologies
Employed at BDI since 2007
Mark has past experience as a Research Scientist for the University of Minnesota, Fairview University Medical Center and the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN
B.S. in Biology and a minor in Chemistry, Bethel College, St. Paul, MN

Lisa Burns

Analyst I - AC - Seed Treatment
Employed at BDI since 2009
M.B.A. Thomas College, Waterville, ME
B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME.
Prior to joining BDI, Lisa has held positions as a Product Development Engineer and a Process Engineer at Wausau Papers, Otis Mill, Jay, ME

Chondra Carlson

Analyst I - DNA Technologies
Employed at BDI since 2008
B.S. in Genetics and B.A. in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison

Joyce Connolly

Analyst II - Electrophoresis
Extraction Coordinator
Employed as Electrophoresis Lab Coordinator (2002), promoted to Lab Analyst in 2003
B.S. in Animal Science, University of Wisconsin, River Falls
Certified Genetic Technologist (CGT)

Kathy Deiss

Technician - Electrophoresis/Standard Seed
Employed at BDI since 2003
Her career includes 7 years of dedication to BDI assisting with numerous functions as a lab assistant within several of our labs.

Anna Doornink

Analyst I - DNA Technologies
Employed at BioDiagnostics since 2004
B.S. in Biotechnology with minors in Biology, Chemistry and Animal Science from University of Wisconsin, River Falls
While attending college, Anna was a lab assistant in the Food Microbiology Department at the University of River Falls
Certified Genetic Technologist (CGT)

Amanda Miller

Amanda Duffy

Analyst I - Electrophoresis
Employed at BDI since 2008
Her career includes experience as a laboratory technician position at Nestle Purina PetCare, Hastings, MN
B.S. in Field Biology adn a minor in Physics from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls

Marcia Huppert

Supervisor I - Large Seed Lab in Standard Seed Testing
Employed at BDI since 1997
Her career includes more than 10 years of seed testing experience in Quality Assurance Department of Mycogen Seeds

James Jacobs

Software Developer - IT
Employed at BDI since 2010
James has a strong background in computer programming web design and database management.
Associates Degree Web Analyst/Programmer - WITC, New Richmond, WI

Nicole Jacobs

Analyst I - DNA Technologies
Employed at BDI since 2006
B.S. in Broad Area Agriculture and a minor in Horticulture from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls
Prior to joining BDI, Nicole was a sales associate and greenhouse assistantat Hermes Garden Center

DaNell Jamieson

Supervisor II - Standard Seed
Employed at BDI since 2008
MBA in Agriculture Business – Aurora University, Illinois
B. S. Degree in Agronomy – University of Minnesota, St. Paul
A.A.S. University of Minnesota, Crookston
DaNell managed the Quality Lab at Cargill Hybrid Seed for 13 years and has 25 years of experience in the seed industry.
Registered Seed Technologist (RST)
Registered Genetic Technologist (RGT)

Brenda Johnson

Supervisor I - ELISA/Herbicide Bioassay
Employed at BDI since 2003
B.S. in Biology Education/Broad-field Science, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire
Her career includes chemistry and biology teaching positions and a lab position at the US Army Corps of Engineers
Registered Genetic Technologist (RGT)
Member of the Minnesota Chromatography Forum

Ryan Johnson

Supervisor I - DNA Technologies
Employed at BDI since 2006
M.S. in Crop Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
B.S. in Technical Systems Management, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Ryan’s career includes over five years with the Illinois Crop Improvement Association, technician positions with Monsanto Company and the University of Illinois.
Registered Genetic Technologist (RGT)

Kevin Kadidlo

Analyst II - DNA Technologies
Employeed at BDI since 2005
B.S. in Medical Technology, University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire
Career includes 20 years experience in clinical laboratory science and molecular diagnostics

Dawn Kelly

Analyst I - Analytical Chemistry
Employeed at BDI since 2008
Studied Pharmacology at the University of Minnesota
A. A. Degree from Century College, Oakdale, Minnesota

Crystal Mathisrud

Analyst I - ELISA
Employeed at BDI since 2008
Crystal has had 3 years of research experience in biological and geological sciences
B.S. in Broad Field Science and English, with a minor in Outdoor Education, University of Wisconsin at River Falls

Jean Meyer

Analyst II - Electrophoresis
Employed at BDI since 1998
Her career includes a laboratory technician at Mycogen Seedsand and quality analyst for the University of Wisconsin Stout
Majored in Food Microbiology, University of Wisconsin, Stout
Certified Genetic Technologist (CGT)

Erin Murphy-Untz

Analyst II - Electrophoresis
Employed at BDI since 2002
B. S. in Chemistry with an emphasis in Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, River Falls
Registered Genetic Technologist (RGT)

Jomarie Oberlin

Analyst I - Isoelectric Focusing and Electrophoresis
Employed at BDI since 2005
B. S. in Elementary Education, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT

Venki Pegadaraju

Venkatramana Pegadaraju - "Venki"

Research and Development Scientist - DNA Technologies
Employed at BDI since 2008
His career includes a wide range of research experience in areas like functional genomics, crop transformation, plant physiology, marker assisted breeding and molecular genetics.
B. S. in Geological Sciences, Osmania University, India
Masters Degree in Plant Sciences, Central University, Hyderabad, India
PhD in Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS

Mary Putzier

Lab Technician I - ELISA
Employed at BDI since 2007
Mary oversees ELISA purchasing as well as planting and harvest
Her career includes experience as a laboratory assistant at Colton Research Center in Flagstaff, AZ and at the Science Museum of Minnesota
B.S. in Sociology and a minor in Anthropology, University of Wisconsin, River Falls

Cindy Robey

Technician - Electrophoresis/Standard Seed
Employed at BDI since 2002
Her career includes 7 years of dedication to BDI assisting with numerous functions as a lab assistant within several of our labs.
Chippewa Valley Technical College - Graduate from Management Program

Darcey Rodewald

Administrative Assistant II
Employed at BDI since 2001
B.S. in History, University of Wisconsin, River Falls
Her career includes sixteen years of customer service.

Nicollette Rusch

Nicolette Rusch

Analyst I - Standard Seed Testing
Employed at BDI since 2003
B.S. in Dairy Science with a minor in Agronomy from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls
Registered Seed Technologist (RST)

Luke Score

DNA Research and Development Lab Technician
Employed at BDI since 2009
B.S. in General Biology with a minor in Scientific Applications and Eastern Cultures from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls

Diandra Viner

Supervisor I - Standard Seed Testing
Employed at BDI since 2002
B.S. in Agronomy, University of Wisconsin, River Falls
Internship at Mycogen Seeds in the sunflower breeding program
Registered Seed Technologist (RST)
Certified Genetic Technologist (CGT)
Certified Canadian Seed Grader

Matthew Weiss

Software Developer- IT
Employed at BDI since 2009
B.S. in Computer Science and Information Systems with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls
IT Undergraduate Intern at Ecolab in the GSD Tools Department
Database designer at University of Wisconsin, River Falls in the Department of Risk Management

Joseph Zalusky

Supervisor I - Analytical Chemistry
Employed at BDI since 2000
B.S. in Biology and Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, River Falls
Registered Genetic Technologist (RGT)
Member of the Minnesota Chromatography Forum

Wendy Zillgitt

Supervisor I - Isoelectric Focusing and Electrophoresis
Employed at BDI since 2001
B.S. in Food Science, University of Wisconsin, River Falls
Registered Genetic Technologist (RGT)

BioDiagnostics Team

Management