Founders

Gary Valaskovic
Gary Valaskovic is a distinguished entrepreneur and co-founder and CEO of New Objective, Inc. He leads the successful design and production of innovative microfluidic and mass spectrometry technologies for ultra-high sensitivity measurement in the life sciences. He is the author of more than 20 peer-reviewed publications, and currently holds more than 10 international patents focusing on nano-electrospray mass spectrometry, capillary separations, and microfluidics. Dr. Valaskovic received his B.S. degree in Chemistry from the University of Illinois and his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from Cornell University.

Robert Kennedy
Robert Kennedy is the Willard Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Michigan. He leads research focusing on the development of novel microfluidic devices for bioanalysis. Current research topics include development of rapid mass spectrometric assays as novel approaches to high-throughput screening and microfluidic methods for monitoring neurotransmitters and insulin secretion from pancreatic b-cells. Dr. Kennedy has authored more than 150 publications on topics including chemical analysis, neuroscience, endocrinology, and biotechnology. He has held several service posts and is presently Associate Editor of Analytical Chemistry and Director of the Microfluidics in Biomedical Sciences Training Program at Michigan. Professor Kennedy received his B.S. in Chemistry at the University of Florida and his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina. He was a post-doctoral fellow at North Carolina and became professor of chemistry at the University of Florida prior to moving to Michigan.

Mike Lee
Mike Lee has over 25 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He was formerly Director at Bristol-Myers Squibb and contributed to the Food & Drug Administration approval of Buspar®, and Serzone®, and the accelerated development and approval of TAXOL®. Dr. Lee is the founder of the Annual Symposium on Clinical and Pharmaceutical Solutions and Analysis (CPSA), held in the US and China, highlighting industry-related applications that focus on real-world experiences with the latest analytical technology and industry initiatives. He received his B.S. degree in Chemistry at the University of Maryland and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Florida. He currently serves on the Leadership Board for the Department of Chemistry at the University of Florida.

Emily Ehrenfeld
Emily Ehrenfeld has been involved in the start up and executive management of technology companies for over 20 years. She is the president of Halocarbon Products Corporation, a worldwide leader in the manufacture of fluorine-based specialty chemicals including inhalation anesthetics approved by the Food & Drug Administration for human and veterinary use. She is also co-founder and vice-president of New Objective, Inc. She has lead several successful product launches in the fine chemicals and life sciences markets. She is the co-inventor of two patents in microfluidics. She holds a B.A. degree in Chemistry and a M.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, both from Cornell University.