Scientists and Staff of Microchem Laboratory

Gina Tanner is the co-owner, along with Benjamin Tanner, of Microchem Laboratory.  She holds a degree in finance from the University of Arizona as well as an MBA.  She oversees financial transactions at Microchem, ensuring smooth and efficient experiences for clients.

Nicholas Garcia is the Team Lead for Disinfectant and Sanitizer Testing at Microchem Laboratory. He holds a B.S in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University. Before joining Antimicrobial Test Laboratories, Nick worked at a cutting-edge biotechnology company on assay development, then as a cGMP quality and validation specialist for a global pharmaceutical company.

He served the lab as a Quality Assurance Specialist for several years, where he ensured scientific quality by employing his solid understanding of GLP regulations, official ASTM and AOAC test methods.

Elizabeth graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with Bachelors of Science in Biology. She is an organized and detail oriented scientist with a positive work ethic who is currently managing the Custom and Treated Articles team. Before starting at Microchem in 2015, Elizabeth worked in an analytical chemistry laboratory. With her previous experience, she brings a unique perspective to the work she does as a microbiologist.

Shannon Von Gerichten is the Team Lead for the medical device testing team.  She holds a B.S. degree in Cell Biology from Mary-Hardin Baylor University.  Prior to joining Microchem, Shannon served as a teaching assistant for univerisity microbiology laboratory courses.  Clients appreciate her upbeat approach to projects and close attention to study details.

Kari Grant is an experienced Microbiologist with knowledge of a number of microbiological assays and procedures. Her extensive experience in research and development provides a myriad of troubleshooting skills as well as a creative eye for experimental design. As a Microbiologist at Microchem Laboratory, she takes part in a broad array of studies and her strong attention to detail make her an asset to the laboratory and to the sponsor.

Michaela Cash earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Northern Arizona University. Michaela is an Analyst on the Custom and Antimicrobial Surface Testing team at Microchem Laboratory.  She is hard-working, organized, and highly dedicated to each study she performs.  Her professional demeanor and strict attention to detail make her an asset to both the laboratory and the sponsor.

Travis Chesser graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Travis serves as our Team Lead of Quality Assurance at Microchem Laboratory.

Madhuri Patil holds a Master of Technology from Mumbai and serves as an Analyst on the Virology team.

Nichelle Rivera graduated from Delaware Valley University with a Bachelors of Science in Biology and specialization in microbiology and biotechnology. 

Nichelle is a dedicated and hardworking scientist whose attention to detail is carried through every study she conducts.  As an Analyst I on the cosmetics team, she participates in numerous preservative challenge tests and ensures the integrity of every study.  Her client service skills and cherrful personality make her a valuable asset to her team, her clients, and the entire laboratory.