Operations
Vi Huynh
Director of Operations
Grants Management
Vi Huynh, MHA joined the APT Center in 2014 as the Director of Operations. He is responsible for operational and fiscal oversight of the Center and its administrative staff and the investigators' combined research programs by managing inter-institutional relationships. He has over 10 years of practice and operations management in clinical and research healthcare environments.
Frank Zitko
Technical Innovation Specialist
Frank Zitko, BS joined the APT Center in 2018. His duties include providing project management and engineering support to APT Investigators and staff as they seek to improve the lives of Veterans through new, innovative medical devices and technology. His role also expands into the national VA level where he represents the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center in the VA Innovation Center. He supports an interconnected network of innovative employees that help pilot and spread innovations across the Veterans Health Administration. Frank received his B.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering from Marquette University in 2011 and brings over 6 years of engineering experience in the medical device industry.
William Rasper
Research Biomedical Engineer
William Rasper, BS joined the APT Center in 2019. His duties include quality system management and consultation, mechanical design, mechanical prototyping and fabrication, basic programming and electircal assembly, general administrative support and IT support. He received his B.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Akron in 2019 and brings over a year of experience in the medical device industry.
Emily Johnson
Communications Specialist and Research Health Scientist
Emily Johnson received her Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology from Kent State University in 2016 and joined the APT Center in 2019 after 4 years’ experience in various laboratory and clinical research settings. Her duties include managing internal communications by creating content for announcements, newsletters, and social media to showcase the APT Center. She also serves as a clinical research coordinator on several APTC research projects assisting investigators and study staff with regulatory affairs including study start-up, maintenance, and procedures.
Lauren Hugdahl
Medical Illustrator
Lauren Hugdahl received her BFA in Biomedical Art from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 2018. Before joining the APT Center as a medical illustrator in 2022 she utilized her creative skills within the medical device industry to create pitch decks, patient education materials, and user manuals for up and coming technologies. She brings 5 years of professional experience to create illustrations for academic publication, internal visual materials, and video projects for the APT Center.
Martha Colbert
Program Assistant
Martha Colbert, joined the APT Center in 2022 as a program assistant. She manages communication on grants, contracts, and budgeting, and helps to complete other financial responsibilities. She holds an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, and will soon complete her bachelor’s degree at Cleveland State University in Organizational Leadership. During her previous federal positions with HHA, TSA, and the VA, she volunteered for multiple Detail Federal Volunteer Opportunities including Covid-response and Operation Allies Welcome. She also brings 10 years of service in the US Army to the position.
Matthew Schon
Administrative Support Assistant
Matthew Schon, BS, joined the APT Center in 2022 after graduating from Kent State University with a degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology. Before joining, he served four years in the US Marine Corps. He now works as an Administrative Support Assistant, where he assists the operations and research teams with their requests. He also manages monetary transactions for the center and handles the onboarding process for new employees.
Raychel Testa
Biomedical Engineer
Raychel Testa, BS joined the APT Center in 2022. She works as a Biomedical Engineer, assisting doctors, nurses, and clinicians in designing and prototyping different devices to help improve veterans’ quality of life. She also provides IT support, helps with website modifications, and provides general administrative support for the APT Center. She received her B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University in 2022.
