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Meet the Support Team
Engineers
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Jeremy Dunning
Jeremy Dunning began work with the APT Center in 2005. His responsibilities include design and testing of embedded hardware and firmware to support human studies research, as well as creating and managing technical models and drawings of implantable technologies. He received both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. |
John Schnellenberger
John R. Schnellenberger received the B.S. degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN and the M.S. degree in biomedical engineering from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, in 1999 and 2005, respectively. He worked at Thomson Multimedia, Inc. from 2000-2001 and at Delphi Automotive Systems from 2002-2003. In 2005, he joined the APT Center at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Cleveland, OH. Mr. Schnellenberger’s current work includes circuit design and software development for various research projects including a hybrid neuroprosthesis walking system for assisting individuals with paraplegia. He is also involved with the development and application of wireless sensors for data collection and event detection. |
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Frank Zitko
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. |
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Mark Pordash
Mark Pordash received his Associate's Degree in Electrical Engineering from Penn Foster College in 2013. He worked for Avtron Manufacturing and Industrial Molding Supplies before joining the APT Center in 2020. Mr. Pordash's current work includes circuit/electronics assembly, cable repair/assembly, electrical/mechanical prototyping, and testing. |
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Rachel Domingo
Rachel Domingo received a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University in 2021 and joined the APT Center as a software engineer shortly after. She brings research and internship experience in the medical device industry, in which she worked with neuroprostheses that seek to improve the lives of those with spinal cord injury, depression, and sleep apnea. Her current work with the center includes user interface design, app development, and firmware programming. |
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Tyler Tevis
Tyler Tevis received a B.S. in Computer Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University in 2020 and started his career in the medical device industry with a Cleveland-based manufacturer after finishing his tour of duty in the US Air Force. Tyler joined the APT Center as a biomedical engineer in 2022, bringing industry experience pertaining to the design, documentation and production of medical devices. His current work includes an implantable urological monitoring device and its associated software/hardware/clinical tools, as well as ongoing development of a suite of virtual reality apps intended to be used in both diagnostic and therapeutic applications in neurology clinics. |
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Raychel Testa
Raychel Testa, BS joined the APT Center in 2022 after receiving her bachelor’s degree from Case Western Reserve University in Mechanical Engineering. She works as a Biomedical Engineer, helping develop devices with the Innovator’s Network and working on adaptive bicycles and clothing for veterans with spinal cord injuries. She also provides IT support, helps with website modifications, and provides general administrative support for the APT Center. |
Operations Team
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Vi Huynh
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 20 years of practice and operations management in clinical and research healthcare environments. |
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Emily Johnson
Emily Johnson, BS received her Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology from Kent State University in 2016 and joined the APT Center in 2019 after 4 years of experience in various laboratory and clinical research settings. Emily serves as the Center’s communications and public relations specialist managing content for social media, announcements, and newsletters as well as coordinating external media pieces to showcase the APT Center. Additionally, 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. |
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Lauren Hugdahl
Lauren Hugdahl, BFA 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 7 years of professional experience to create illustrations for academic publication, internal visual materials, and photo projects for the APT Center. |
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Martha Colbert
Martha Colbert, BS 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 a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Cleveland State University. 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. |
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Matthew Schon
Matthew Schon, BS, Speech Pathology and Audiology, joined the APT Center in 2022 after graduating from Kent State University. He is the Administrative Support Assistant for the Advanced Platform Technology Center. He assists the operations and research teams with their administrative and logistical requests. He also manages government purchasing card transactions for the center and assists in the onboarding process for new employees as well as time keeping for the entire center. |
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David Suh
David Suh has a B.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University (2021) and a M.S. degree in Innovation and Management from Tufts University (2023), bringing experience from both the medical device and start-up industries. He joined the APT Center in 2024 and currently works with Dr. Baskin to provide translational guidance. This includes working with Investigators to understand their projects’ translational roadmaps as well as coordinating and executing initiatives to achieve the next milestones on the path to commercialization. |
