BioDiagnostics Team

Keywords = seed testing

Management

Quentin Schultz

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

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

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

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

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

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

Robert Bioalozynski

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

Mark Blackstad

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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, MinnesotaCrystal Mathisrud

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

Seasonal Employees

  • Lisa Abel
  • Lacey Anderson
  • Sheila Anderson
  • Kathy Bescup
  • Becky Bol
  • Della Borst
  • Elizabeth Casey
  • Andrea Clark
  • Dianne Clark
  • Kathleen Edwards
  • Robbyn Engen
  • John Finley
  • Anne Frank
  • Laura Fraser
  • Carla Frey
  • Katie Fritz
  • Mary Lou Glasser-Hoyt
  • Carlene Hanson
  • Liz Heywood
  • Kelle Hoeft-Zelenak
  • Laurie Hoikka
  • Shannon Johnson
  • Sara Karlson
  • Pamela Kizer
  • Ali Kunde
  • Antonia LeVasseur
  • Sandy Linehan
  • Lisa Lopez
  • Heather McCarty
  • Carol Merriman
  • Maranda Mogen
  • Mary Moldenhauer
  • Teddee Nelson
  • Kelly Ondrusik
  • Rebecca Phillips
  • Becky Radke
  • Denise Radkey
  • Emily Ray
  • Nathan Reed
  • Monica Reiter
  • Kim Sauerwein
  • Marilyn Schultz
  • Kelly Schumacher
  • Carol Senn
  • Molly Sorlie
  • Mary (Starr) Stelzer
  • Tera Wachtler
  • Jane Wakefield
  • Kim Wanner
  • Lovette Weidner
  • Sunita Young
  • Lan Yu

Student Employees

  • Jordana Beyer
  • Daniel Crispino
  • Crystal Ganz
  • Samantha Johnson
  • Sandra Kirchner
  • Seth Mooney
  • Gary Reith
  • Eric Schultz
  • David Sollman
  • Justin Travis