February 2, 2021

Vetsina Animal Diagnostics expands with two new appointments

Vetsina Animal Diagnostics has announced its expansion with the appointment of Dr. Baltasar Lucendo Villarin as the company's laboratory scientist and Dr. Jason Ioannidis as head of research.

Dr. Villarin has extensive experience in hepatocyte biology after studying the effect of maternal smoking in foetal liver development using a semi-automatic platform of pluripotent stem cell derived hepatocytes.

He is well known for his development of an automated platform to generate liver organoids derived from pluripotent stem cells with diagnostic and industrial applications. His studies focused on stabilising hepatocellular phenotype employing synthetic materials.

Vetsina CEO Dr. Simon Wheeler said: "We are pleased to welcome Dr. Lucendo Villarin to the team, with his expertise in molecular biology and screening technology he will make a strong contribution to our work."

Dr. Ioannidis has more than 10 years in molecular biology and genetics. During his career, he produced a thesis on the development on microRNA-based diagnostics for cattle pregnancy and oestrus, as well as research investigating associations between plasma microRNAs and industry-relevant functional traits in dairy cattle.

At the Roslin Institute, he completed a three-year project in the functional genetics of avian sex determination, which included the utilisation of CRISPR-Cas9 technology to produce gene-edited chickens. He also completed a short project in the subject of avian optic fissure closure during which he continued to apply gene-editing techniques.

Dr. Wheeler said: "Dr. Ioannidis will contribute to the team with his broad research experience in microRNA diagnostics, building collaborations, attracting funding and helping to manage various projects. He has a lot of highly relevant experience and will be a great asset to the team."

Both Dr. Villarin and Dr. Wheeler are to start their new roles on February 1.

- Vetsina Animal Diagnostics