Robin Woods is president and co-founder of Alturas Analytics, Inc. A 1987 graduate of Washington State University, Robin brings her entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen to the contract lab industry. Previously, Robin contributed to the foundation and success of two environmental testing laboratories providing her with essential contract laboratory experience to lead Alturas through over 20 years of sustained organic growth. Robin’s business philosophy is to encourage teamwork, diligence and scientific integrity while nurturing an environment of cultural excellence.
Robin’s achievements have been recognized by several state officials – In 2007, Robin was appointed to the Idaho Innovation Council by Governor Dirk Kempthorne. In 2010, Robin’s personal and professional accomplishments were acknowledged as she was honored as one of Idaho’s Women of the Year. In 2013, Robin was appointed by Governor C.L. (Butch) Otter to the Idaho Economic Advisory Council. She continues to serve as Region II Representative on the seven-member council, which advises Governor Brad Little and the Department of Commerce on economic development policy and block grant awards. Robin is also a member of the Higher Education Research Council, providing her knowledge to serve the Idaho State Board of Education. She is a board member of the University of Idaho Research Foundation and Gritman Medical Center in Moscow, ID.
As president, Robin oversees business operation at Alturas and all duties required of Test Facility Management as well as sets strategic direction for growth and expansion. She is also responsible for assuring Alturas’ full regulatory compliance and its financial welfare.
Dr. Jennifer Zimmer is the Laboratory Director at Alturas Analytics, Inc. and has been working in the field of bioanalysis for over 20 years. She received her B.A. degree in English and Zoology from the University of Idaho and her Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, working in Dr. Robert Murphy’s laboratory on the leukotriene lipid mediator pathway. Her post-doctoral experience in Dr. Richard Smith’s laboratory focused on using metabolomics to elucidate disease pathways and to discover novel biomarker targets.
Dr. Zimmer is responsible for the overall operation of the Alturas Analytics laboratory. She has experience with FTICR, TOF, ion trap and quadrupole instrumentation. She has utilized these instruments for quantitation as well as structure elucidation using HPLC-MS/MS and HPLC-MSn. She oversees the scientific staff and ensures that client deliverables are met while working laterally with the Alturas Analytics, Inc. QAU in order to maintain laboratory compliance with all procedures and regulations. Dr. Zimmer is an active participant in the Global CRO Council (GCC) and a member of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry.
Chad has over 20 years of related experience as an analytical scientist with over 17 years focused on bioanalysis at Alturas Analytics. This depth of experience in applied LC–MS/MS and GC–MS/MS, along with an education in chemical engineering, provides the backbone for productive and innovative science. Chad leads the biologics quantitation group at Alturas, applying novel techniques to a regulated, high-throughput production environment. As a Senior Principal Scientist, Chad’s primary focus is LC–MS/MS method development, validation, and sample analysis for small new chemical entities, oligonucleotides, biologics, and antibody drug conjugate (ADC) programs in accordance with GLP guidelines. In addition, Chad leads a team of scientists as Study Director and Principal Investigator, providing technical oversight to clients across all therapeutic areas.
Bo is the Director of Information Technology and GDPR Data Protection Officer at Alturas Analytics, Inc. As modern instruments rely heavily on computers and IT technologies to acquire, process, and store data, it is vitally important for a modern laboratory to have a robust and secure IT environment. As a GLP and 21 CFR Part 11 compliant laboratory, Alturas Analytics must maintain the highest standards in its IT systems to ensure the integrity and security of electronic data. This is exactly what Bo and his department do. Bo holds multiple IT vendor certifications as Systems Engineer and DBA. His 20 years of IT experience in analytical laboratory settings allows him to effectively perform system planning, validation, and management.
Ms. Hoffman has a history of over 30 years in the bioanalytical CRO and applied life sciences industries from both the scientific and business perspectives. The primary objective as the Vice President of Strategic Development at Alturas Analytics, Inc. is to lead business planning strategies of both the external and internal competitive landscape, identify opportunities for expansion, customers, markets, and new industry developments and standards. The goal is to achieve sustainable business growth while mitigating risk.
Ms. Hoffman came to Alturas Analytics, Inc. from the specialized field of accelerator mass spectrometry services as Director of Marketing and Sales at Eckert & Ziegler Vitalea Science. She served as primary interface between Vitalea’s scientific team and Sponsors with the goal of developing loyalties that encourage repeat business. Prior to joining Vitalea Ann was the strategic account manager at Tandem Labs responsible for the company’s largest accounts worldwide. She was Tandem’s first Business Development Director and was instrumental in growing the company from start-up to a major Bioanalytical CRO with a reputation for quality and personalized service. Ann has been involved in product launches of early commercial ion trap systems at Torion Technologies, Thermo Fischer Scientific (formerly Finnigan Corporation) and time-of-flight mass spectrometers at Sciex (formerly Perseptive Biosystems) directed to early adopters of new technologies. She started mass spectrometry user groups in the greater Salt Lake City, Denver, and Seattle areas bringing scientists together across a broad spectrum of applications to engage in open exchange of ideas.
She is a member of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, International Society for the Study of Xenobiotics, and Pharmaceutical and BioScience Society.
Maggie McMullen is the Chief Business Development Officer at Alturas Analytics, Inc. A 1996 graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Maggie has worked in the CRO industry for over 20 years. The first 10 years of her career were focused in the laboratory as a scientist and Study Director before transitioning to Business Development. Over the last 18 years, Maggie has worked in Business Development for a variety of fields including Drug Metabolism, Bioanalytical, CMC, Regulatory Affairs, and most recently in Pharmacology/Regulated Toxicology.
As Chief Business Development Officer at Alturas Analytics, her primary objective is to strengthen Alturas’ business planning strategies, focus on building internal and external relationships and to foster company growth as a leader in the LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS bioanalytical field. Key to this position is identifying opportunities for expansion, customers, markets, and new industry developments and standards.
Maggie joined Alturas Analytics from Lovelace Biomedical as Business Development Operations Director. She built the Commercial Business Development team to achieve a record 300% growth over a 5-year period. Her CRO history also includes Director of Business Development at Qualyst Transporter Solutions and XenoTech, a BioIVT Company.
She is a member of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists and served as the Chair of the Career Development Committee there from 2018 – 2020.
Dr. Lori Payne is the Executive Director of Business Development at Alturas Analytics, Inc. She earned a BS in Environmental Biochemistry from UC Davis and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from LSU Baton Rouge. Previously, she has volunteered with the Peace Corps providing assistance in Central America.
Dr. Payne has a distinguished career in large pharma in addition to managing and directing growth and development in Contract Research Organizations with bioanalytical, discovery, and analytical groups in animal and human health. As Vice-President of Bioanalytical, Analytical, and Discovery at BASi (now Inotiv), she achieved numerous awards for her lean and continuous improvement focus.
After joining the Alturas team in 2019, Dr. Payne successfully organized the research committee and contributed to the growth of the company. She acts as liaison between scientific and management staff at Alturas and prospective clients while looking for new business development and research opportunities. She enjoys maintaining business relationships and staying informed of current developments in the bioanalysis of large and small molecules. Dr. Payne looks forward to Alturas’ completion of a new building and expansion in Moscow, ID.
With over 16 years in the CRO industry, Jera A. Kantz, BA, LATg, RQAP-GLP, serves as the Quality Assurance Manager at Alturas Analytics, Inc. Jera’s early history as a Research Associate II (RAII) with a focus on experimental therapeutics provided the background and a passion for the preclinical drug research process. After obtaining her AALAS LATG certification she then transitioned to Quality Assurance Auditor at MPI Research.
In 2013, Jera joined the Charles River Laboratories QAU and quickly advanced to Senior Quality Systems Auditor. She hosted numerous client audits and became proficient at auditing computer systems validations and bioanalysis across immunogenicity, cell culture, flow cytometry and PCR techniques. An important aspect of Jera’s position is training auditors and general site staff in GLP, GCP, and Part 11 compliance, OECD principles and other applicable Guidance for Industry. Influencing others to embrace compliance that intuitively leads to generation of quality data and patient safety is her ultimate goal.
Jera is an active member and contributor to the Society of Quality Assurance.
