Scientists and Staff of Microchem Laboratory

Benjamin Tanner is the President and CEO of Microchem Laboratory.  He holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Arizona where he studied environmental infectious disease transmission under Dr. Charles Gerba.  He is the author of the book, Legal Aspects of Infectious Diseases and has served as an expert microbiologist in dozens of infection-related lawsuits.

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.

Nicole Goulding is the Laboratory Manager and has previously served as the Team Lead for Medical Device Validation Testing at Microchem. She holds a B.S. degree in Biological Sciences from the University of California Santa Barbara.

Elizabeth Richard is the Team Lead for Custom and Treated Articles Testing. She holds a B.S. degree in Biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Gregory King is the Team Lead for Environmental Monitoring.  He holds a M.A. in Microbiology from The University of Texas at Austin, and a B.S. degree in Cellular & Molecular Biology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Megan Rutland is the Team Lead for Cosmetics and Challenge Testing.  She holds a B.S. degree in Microbiology from the University of Oklahoma.  

Samantha Kappel is the Team Lead for Medical Device Efficacy Testing, and she has previously served as an Analyst on the Disinfectants and Sanitizers team.  She holds a B.S. degree in Biology from The University of Texas at San Antonio. 

Alyssa Castillo is a Q.A. Assistant I on the Quality Assurance Team.  She is working to finish her B.A. degree in Biology from Waldorf University.

Hillary Johnson is a Q.A. Specialist I on the Quality Assurance Team.  She holds a M.S. in Clinical Molecular Genetics from Northern Michigan University and a B.S. degree in Microbiology from Texas State University. 

Nicholas Garcia is an Analyst III, serving as the Trainer and Special Projects Manager at Microchem Laboratory. He holds a B.S. degree 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.

Alyssa Jans is an Analyst I on the Cosmetics and Challenge Testing Team.  She holds a B.S. degree in Biochemistry from Texas State University.

Brittani Shaffer is an Analyst I on the Custom and Treated Articles Team.  She holds a B.S.A. degree in Biology from The University of Texas at Austin.

Chris Craney is an Analyst I on the Custom and Treated Articles Team.  He holds a B.S. degree in Microbiology from Cornell University.

Chris began working at Microchem in September of 2016.  As an Analyst, he enjoys applying creative solutions to unique testing requirements.

Courtney Smith is an Analyst I on the Medical Device Efficacy Team.  She holds a M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Arizona State University and a B.S. degree in Biomaterials Engineering and Materials Science from Alfred University.

Hunter Cmerek is an Analyst I on the Disinfectants and Sanitizers Team.  He holds a B.S. degree in Microbiology from the University of Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

Jordan Villarreal is an Associate Analyst on the Disinfectants and Sanitizers Team.  He holds a B.S.A. degree in Biology from The University of Texas at Austin.

Jorge Cavazos is an Analyst I on the Disinfectants and Sanitizers Team.  He holds a B.S. degree in Biochemistry from The University of Texas at Austin.

Kathryn Edwards is an Analyst I on the Disinfectants and Sanitizers Team.  She holds a B.S. degree in Microbiology from Texas State University.

Kristin Berthiaume is an Associate Analyst on the Medical Device Validations Team.  She holds a B.S. degree in Chemistry from The University of Texas at Austin.

Malissa Klemp is an Analyst I on the Medical Device Validations Team.  She holds a B.S. degree in Animal Science from Texas A&M University.

Meredith Fenner is an Analyst I on the Disinfectants and Sanitizers Team.  She holds a B.S. degree in Biochemistry from The University of Texas at Austin.

Natalia Galvan is an Associate Analyst on the Disinfectants and Sanitizers Team.  She holds a B.S. in Biochemistry from The University of Texas at Austin.

Nathanial Garza is an Associate Analyst on the Disinfectants and Sanitizers Team.  He holds a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences from Texas A&M University in Kingsville.

Sarah Warner is an Associate Analyst on the Custom and Treated Articles Team.  She holds a B.S. degree in Microbiology from Texas A&M University.

Shanker Tamang is an Associate Analyst on the Custom and Treated Articles Team.  He holds a M.S. in Biology from Central Michigan University, and a B.S. degree in Microbiology from the University of Wyoming, specializing in Molecular Biology.

Shannon Von Gerichten is an Analyst II on the Custom and Treated Articles 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.

Victoria Zarate is an Analyst I on the Disinfectants and Sanitizers Team.  She holds a B.S. degree in Biochemistry from Texas State University.

Zak Carroll is an Associate Analyst on the Medical Device Validations Team.  He holds a B.S. degree in Biomedical Sciences from Sam Houston State University.

Carrie Firmani is a Laboratory Assistant I on the Cosmetics and Challenge Testing Team. 

Lien Pham is a Lab Assistant I on our Disinfectants and Sanitizers Team.  She holds an Associates Degree of Medical Laboratory Technician from Austin Community College.

Pam Horst is a Lab Assistant I on the Cosmetics and Challenge Testing Team.  She is working to complete an Associates degree in Biology from Austin Community College.

Rachel Johnson is a Laboratory Assistant I on the Medical Device Efficacy Team. 

Renee Friday is a Lab Assistant I on the Environmental Monitoring Team.

Ryan Patterson is a Lab Assistant I on the Cosmetics and Challenge Testing Team.  He is working to complete a degree in the sciences from Austin Community College.

Samantha Pearce is a Lab Assistant I on the Cosmetics and Challenge Testing Team.  She is working to complete a degree in the sciences from Austin Community College.

Stacey Moore is a Lab Assistant I on the Environmental Monitoring Team.

Wanda Worsley is a Lab Assistant I on the Cosmetics and Challenge Testing Team.  She holds two B.S. degrees from Northern Arizona University.

Crystal Zwernemann is the Accounting Clerk at Microchem.