About GHI Authors

Aidan Bickford

Aidan Bickford is a Software Engineer who joined the Golden Helix Team in 2014. Aidan works on product development, architecture, and integration. Aidan has a Masters in Computer Science from Montana State University. When not working, Aidan enjoys mountain biking, skiing, and French crime novels.
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Andreas Scherer, Ph.D.

Dr. Andreas Scherer is CEO of Golden Helix. The company has been delivering industry leading bioinformatics solutions for the advancement of life science research and translational medicine for over a decade. Its innovative technologies and analytic services empower scientists and healthcare professionals at all levels to derive meaning from the rapidly increasing volumes of genomic data produced from next-generation sequencing. With its solutions, hundreds of the world’s hospitals and testing labs are able to harness the full potential of genomics to identify the cause of disease, develop genomic diagnostics, and advance the quest for personalized medicine. Golden Helix products and services have been cited in thousands of peer-reviewed publications. Golden Helix is also on the Inc 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the US. He is also Managing Partner of Salto Partners, Inc, a management consulting firm headquartered in Nevada.  He has extensive experience successfully managing growth as well as orchestrating complex turnaround situations. His company, Salto Partners, advises on business strategy, financing, sales, and operations. Clients are operating in the high-tech and life sciences space. Dr. Scherer holds a Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Hagen, Germany, and a Master of Computer Science from the University of Dortmund, Germany. He is author and co- author of over 20 international publications and has written books on project management, the Internet, and artificial intelligence. His latest book, “Be Fast Or Be Gone”, is a prizewinner in the 2012 Eric Hoffer Book Awards competition, and has been named a finalist in the 2012 Next Generation Indie Book Awards! 
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Casey Fullem

Casey Fullem, Marketing Coordinator at Golden Helix, joined team in October of 2021. He is an analytics driven digital marketer that values tactile marketing efforts that yield return. Building a cohesive brand and executing performative marketing campaigns is his passion, alongside the slew of outdoor activities that Bozeman has to offer. Casey is largely passionate about skiing, rock climbing, whitewater kayaking and rafting, fly fishing, backpacking, and other outdoor activities that excite.
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Jennifer Dankoff

Jennifer has been a FAS with Golden Helix since September 2021. She has a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from Montana State University, and is passionate about working with customers to fulfill their NGS analysis needs. When she isn't working with customers or writing blogs, Jennifer can be found hiking in the mountains or playing softball.
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Darby Kammeraad

Darby Kammeraad is the Director of Field Application Services at Golden Helix, joining the team in April of 2017. Darby graduated in 2016 with a master’s degree in Plant Sciences from Montana State University, where he also received his bachelor’s degree in Plant Biotechnology. Darby works on customer support and training. When not in the office, Darby is learning how to play guitar, hunting, fishing, snowboarding, traveling or working on a new recipe in the kitchen.
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Lisa Esterling

Gabe Rudy

Meet Gabe Rudy, GHI’s Vice President of Product and Engineering and team member since 2002. Gabe thrives in the dynamic and fast-changing field of bioinformatics and genetic analysis. Leading a killer team of Computer Scientists and Statisticians in building powerful products and providing world-class support, Gabe puts his passion into enabling Golden Helix’s customers to accelerate their research. When not reading or blogging, Gabe enjoys the outdoor Montana lifestyle. But most importantly, Gabe truly loves spending time with his sons, daughter, and wife. Follow Gabe on Twitter @gabeinformatics.
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Jake Petek

Jake Petek, Senior Front-End Software Engineer, joined the Golden Helix development team in 2018. Jake received his Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Montana State University in December 2017. Jake works developing our VSClinical workflows and our clinical reporting systems. In his free time, Jake likes board games with friends, sci-fi novels, and yoga.
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James Grover

Samuel Koepnick

Leta Eng

Leta Eng, Associate Director of Renewal Sales at Golden Helix, joined the team in October of 2018. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Montana State University and managed the laboratory animal program for many years. With a strong background in clinical and preclinical research, Leta is interested in all areas of discovery involving biomedical and agricultural advancement. As a Montana native, she enjoys the outdoors and has had a lifelong love of animals. She loves spending time with her family and friends.
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Mary Marks

Mike Peterson

Nathan Fortier, Ph.D.

Nathan Fortier, Ph.D, Director of Research for Golden Helix, joined the development team in June of 2014. Nathan obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering from Montana Tech University in May 2011, received a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Montana State University in May 2014, and received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Montana State University in May 2015. Nathan works on data curation, script development, and product code. When not working, Nathan enjoys hiking and playing music.
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Rana Smalling

Rana Smalling, PhD joined our team as a Field Application Scientist in September of 2021. Rana is a Jamaican native who is passionate about using biomedical research and science communication to bring about better healthcare solutions. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Chicago, a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Utah and completed postdoctoral research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She has used both lab bench and bioinformatics approaches to identify novel regulators and potential biomarkers in cancer and metabolic diseases. Rana enjoys providing support and training to Golden Helix customers. When she is not working, she likes to learn about the medicinal uses of plants, fungi and microbes, and she enjoys road trips, singing and listening to music.
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Solomon Reinman

Solomon Reinman is a Technical Field Application Scientist who joined the Golden Helix team in the spring of 2022. Solomon has a B.S. in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Bioinformatics from UC Santa Cruz and focuses on helping Golden Helix software users deploy high-throughput, automated pipelines. Outside of the realm of precision medicine, Solomon loves running, climbing, skiing, reading, coffee, and everything else the beautiful state of Montana has to offer.
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