Real Time Pathogen Detection at the Point of Care
Our Technology
Portable, Point-of-Care Solution
By leveraging the principles of Raman Spectroscopy, Seraspec® represents a paradigm shift away from current methods for screening and identification of dangerous bacterial, viral and fungal pathogens. Our patent pending technology and method of detection* effectively eliminates the need for time-consuming and costly laboratory-based methods of specimen collection, processing and pathogen identification. Safety, efficiency, accuracy and profitability are simultaneously enhanced through a portable, point-of-care technology for real-time pathogen detection and identification. A higher power just got involved in the fight against infection.
A Molecular Fingerprint
Reagentless, Fully-Automated Detection
The Seraspec® employs an enclosed assembly of optical components allowing for real-time Raman spectral measurements that generate a unique molecular fingerprint for pathogen identification. The system also incorporates proprietary signal processing and identification algorithms to distinguish targeted pathogens from confounding background interference facilitating real-time identification at the point-of-care. This disruptive technology will enable health care providers to render more efficient healthcare decisions and optimize clinical outcomes.
About Us
Our Mission
Healthcare faces a daunting global crisis resulting from the convergence of accelerating antimicrobial resistance and novel pandemic viruses. Acting swiftly to treat infections with broad-based antibiotics appears prudent when the alternative is laboratory-based verification spanning several days. This “shotgun” approach essentially guarantees that the antimicrobial resistance crisis will continue to escalate.
Our mission as a company is to produce quality, cost-effective technologies for health care providers to optimize clinical decision making in our globally integrated society. With the right tools and partners, we hope and believe that this crisis will be averted.
David Ploucha
Chief Executive Officer
David Ploucha has been a leader of successful product development teams for Fortune 10, 1000, and 5000 organizations in the automotive industry for more than 25 years. He recently co-founded Venshure Test Services, an OEM supplier of vehicle testing services for EV, ICE, and advanced powertrains. Prior to his current role, David co-founded and served as President of Control-Tec, a leading global powertrain control systems technology provider until the company was acquired by Delphi Automotive, PLC.
Gregory W. Auner, PhD
Founder, Chief Science Officer
Dr. Auner is a Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of Seraph Biosciences. He holds the Strauss TEAMS Endowed Chair and is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Material Science at Wayne State University. He is also the founder and Director of the Smart Sensors and Integrated Microsystems Program. Dr. Auner has over 30 patents (issued and pending) in the last few years for chemical, biomedical, and environmental sensors and microsystems and has been granted more than $35 million in research grants and contracts as principle investigator. Along with co-founding Seraph Biosciences, he is the Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of Visca, LLC, and Medical Engineering Partners, LLC
Charles J. Shanley, MD
Founder & Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Shanley brings over two decades of experience in senior health care leadership and management roles. He is a founder of Seraph Biosciences and inventor on the foundational patents and intellectual property underlying the Seraspec ® platform. Dr. Shanley’s research has been funded by the U.S. Army Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC); the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Most recently he served as President and CEO of Wayne Health, a 400-provider clinical services corporation and Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs at the Wayne State School of Medicine, the largest single-campus medical school in the nation. Since 2011, Dr. Shanley has served on the Health Care Patient Safety and Quality Study Section of the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) and as a consultant for the Circulatory Devices Advisory Panel at the FDA.
Hür Köser, PhD
Chief Product Officer
Dr. Köser brings over 18 years of experience as an accomplished academic researcher and entrepreneur. As an electrical engineering professor at Yale University, he conducted internationally recognized research in nano-biotechnology, bio-sensors, and microfluidics. He is a seasoned executive and advisor to several diagnostic companies with commercial applications ranging from neurodegenerative disease biomarkers to liquid biopsy analysis. He holds a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Shane Trexler
Vice President of Engineering
Shane Trexler serves as Vice President of Engineering for Seraph Biosciences, Inc. drawing upon 10 plus years of laboratory research, engineering design, and business management. As the founder and president of the Sustainable Consulting Group, Shane successfully managed engineering design efforts for both startup companies and established medical device and engineering clients throughout the United States as well as Eastern Africa. He has consulted in the design, development, and prototypes of components and systems for various medical device companies.
Naga Puttagunta
Director of Software Development
Naga Puttagunta serves as Director of Software Development for Seraph Biosciences, Inc. with over 20 years of experience in commercial software development, cloud architecture, and data security systems. Most recently, Naga served as Vice President of Software Engineering for Aptiv, a publicly traded automotive parts company specializing in systems development for signal and power solutions as well as advanced safety and user experience in mobility. In addition to his technical expertise, Naga has a proven track record of establishing, growing, and leading large software teams.
Micaela Trexler, PhD
Senior Scientist
Dr. Trexler serves as a Senior Scientist for Seraph Biosciences, Inc with over eight years of laboratory research experience specializing in Raman Spectroscopy, virus identification, infectious disease diagnostics, and product development. She is primarily responsible for drafting and executing experimental designs for products on the Seraspec® platform in coordination with the company’s Engineering and Quality teams. Dr. Trexler holds a B.S. and M.Eng. in Biomedical Engineering from Boston University, and PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Wayne State University with a research focus on virus identification using Raman Spectroscopy.
Michael Shields
Chairman
Mike is a successful entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and business leader. He currently serves on the Board of Seraph, P3 Media, and Spotted Media and actively invests in the biosciences, insurance, and media industries. Prior to Seraph, he served as CEO of Novation Analytics, a premier provider of software and data solutions to the automotive industry. Mike was also Founder & CEO of Control-Tec, a global powertrain control systems technology provider. Over the past 10 years, he served as CEO of Arrow Racing Engines, Arrow Performance Products, Power-Tec, Saleen, Cyltec, and President of Flat Rock Metal and Bar Processing. Mike recently served on the Board of the Country Club of Detroit and was Chair of the Greater Detroit Chapter and Gold Organization of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO). Prior to his business career, he was practicing attorney at Dickinson Wright and founding partner of Strobl and Manoogian. He holds his Juris Doctor from University of Notre Dame and an MBA from the University of Michigan.
David Ploucha
Chief Executive Officer
David Ploucha has been a leader of successful product development teams for Fortune 10, 1000, and 5000 organizations in the automotive industry for more than 25 years. He recently co-founded Venshure Test Services, an OEM supplier of vehicle testing services for EV, ICE, and advanced powertrains. Prior to his current role, David co-founded and served as President of Control-Tec, a leading global powertrain control systems technology provider until the company was acquired by Delphi Automotive, PLC.
Gary Loveman, PhD
Chairman & CEO, Well Dot, Inc.
Dr. Loveman is currently the Chairman and CEO of Well Dot, Inc. Well is an industry-leading, AI-driven health engine technology that analyzes member health triggers and promotes personalized, achievable steps toward improved health. Prior to co-founding Well, he was President of Consumer Health and Service at Aetna Inc. where he led the company’s population health, consumer engagement and clinical services areas. He also served as Chairman, CEO and President of Caesars Entertainment Corporation for seventeen years. During his tenure with the company, Dr. Loveman oversaw the expansion of Caesars into the largest and most diversified company in the gaming industry. His efforts included pioneering Caesar’s Wellness Rewards, an incentive-based health and wellness program for over 70,000 employees and their families.
Hür Köser, PhD
Chief Product Officer
Dr. Köser brings over 18 years of experience as an accomplished academic researcher and entrepreneur. As an electrical engineering professor at Yale University, he conducted internationally recognized research in nano-biotechnology, bio-sensors, and microfluidics. He is a seasoned executive and advisor to several diagnostic companies with commercial applications ranging from neurodegenerative disease biomarkers to liquid biopsy analysis. He holds a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Nadeem Ishaque, PhD
CIO, GE-Healthcare Imaging (Retired)
Dr. Ishaque is a seasoned executive, inventor, and scientist with over 30 years of experience in the healthcare sector. He recently retired as Chief Innovation Officer at GE Healthcare, where he spent his career as a leader in research & development, commercialization, and business strategy overseeing several product lines for the company. Dr. Ishaque has deep expertise across many technical disciplines including diagnostic imaging, molecular technologies, biomedical instrumentation, and artificial intelligence. He currently serves as a mentor and consultant to organizations requiring expertise in technology evaluation, R&D strategy, product development, commercialization, and clinical adoption.
Scott Merz, PhD
CEO, MC3 Cardiopulmonary
Dr. Merz is a co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of MC3 Cardiopulmonary, a company that commercializes intellectual property related to artificial heart and lung technologies. Dr. Merz has over 25 years of experience in medical device research, development, and business formation. He holds over 10 patents and has led numerous licensing deals enabling the launch of several spinout medical device companies. He is a charter member of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) and long-standing leader of the cardiopulmonary community.
Charles J. Shanley, MD
Founder & Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Shanley brings over two decades of experience in senior health care leadership and management roles. He is a founder of Seraph Biosciences and inventor on the foundational patents and intellectual property underlying the Seraspec ® platform. Dr. Shanley’s research has been funded by the U.S. Army Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC); the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Most recently he served as President and CEO of Wayne Health, a 400-provider clinical services corporation and Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs at the Wayne State School of Medicine, the largest single-campus medical school in the nation. Since 2011, Dr. Shanley has served on the Health Care Patient Safety and Quality Study Section of the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) and as a consultant for the Circulatory Devices Advisory Panel at the FDA.
Matthew Cullen
Principal & Chairman, JACK Entertainment
Matt Cullen currently serves as Principal & Chairman of JACK Entertainment LLC. JACK Entertainment is Cleveland-based gaming company which employs more than 1,400 team members and generates $400 million in annual revenues. Previously, he spent more than a decade leading gaming, real estate and other initiatives for Dan Gilbert’s Family of Companies. During that time, Matt helped lead revitalization efforts within Detroit and Cleveland totaling commitments of more than $5 billion, and served most recently as the Chief Executive Officer of Bedrock Detroit.
Paul Glantz
Founder & Chairman, Emagine Entertainment
Paul Glantz is co-founder and chairman of Michigan-based Emagine Entertainment, Inc. He has raised more than $150 million in capital to grow Emagine into a national theater chain composed of 27 world-class entertainment venues. Paul previously served as President of Proctor Financial, Inc., a leading provider of specialized insurance services to mortgage servicers nationwide. He was selected as first-ever recipient of Wayne State University’s Irvin D. Reid Honors College’s Pillar Award and also as Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year for Michigan and Northwest Ohio.
Mark Trexler
Founder & COO, Medical Engineering Partners (MEP)
Mark is a successful entrepreneur with a BS in Chemical Engineering and an MBA with a concentration in finance. Mark is not only a Founder of MEP but of Seraph as well. In addition to his Observer Board seat with Seraph, Mark serves in a supporting role for the company’s day-to-day operations and finance. Mark is also, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Technical Enviro Services.
Jim Shanley
Co-Founder, Seraph Biosciences
Jim brings over 20 years of executive management, marketing, and communications experience. Jim is not only a co-founder of Seraph but is a principal partner at We Build Databases, a leading data-application development firm. Jim began his career as President & Chief Operating officer of Rootlevel, Inc. where he established the company as one of the Midwest’s leading web application firms. Jim also served as an Executive Vice President & Managing Director for Cutters Studios where he lead the companies digital marketing & interactive services division. Prior to joining Seraph, Jim served as Chief Marketing Officer of Medical Engineering Partners (MEP).
Braden Robison
Co-Founder, Seraph Biosciences
Braden has launched more than 100 medical products through the FDA regulatory process. As Senior Director of Business Development and Strategy for Stryker Corp., Mr. Robison successfully led $235M worth of transactions and started two different divisions for the company.