Marvin Pietruszka, MD, JD, Laboratory Director : Dr. Pietruszka is an expert in internal medicine, pathology, and forensic toxicology. He has unique expertise in chart review, standard of care, slide and record review, clinical/pathological correlation and causation analysis. His experience includes case preparation of medical malpractice, personal injury, and wrongful death. Aside from his volunteer position at HRG, Dr. Pieteruzka is the director of Del Carmen Medical Center and Psychemedics Inc. Toxicology Laboratory. Academic positions include clinical associate professor of pathology at University of Southern California.

Daniel Darvish, MD, Clinical Consultant : Dr. Darvish is an expert in molecular genetics, laboratory quality management, and information technology. He completed medical school training at University of George Washington, Washington, D.C, 1993, and specialty training in Internal Medicine at Olive-View/UCLA program in southern California, 1996. Subsequently, Dr. Darvish dedicated his career to the rapid advance of research towards therapy for HIBM. His post-doctorate training include volunteer and fellowship training in genetics and mammalian genotyping at UCLA and USC during 1998-2001. Dr. Darvish has co-authored numerous published scientific papers on HIBM. Dr. Darvish is the co-founder of patient advocate group Advancement of Research for Myopathies ( ARM ), and molecular genetics laboratory HIBM Research Group (HRG). Dr. Darvish holds a full time volunteer position as clinical consultant, information technology manager, and administrative director at HRG.

Yadira Valles-Ayoub, MD, PhD, Director of R&D : Dr. Valles-Ayoub is an expert in developing robust, reproducible, reliable, and rapid molecular assays. She completed medical training and specialty in Hematology-Oncololgy, followed by PhD training in Immunology, at UNAM, Mexico City. She was the head of department of Immunology and professor of Pathology at UNAM during 1979-1986. Subsequently, Dr. Valles-Ayoub moved to the United States and worked at UCLA department of pathology from 1986 - 1996. During her career, Dr. Valles-Ayoub has co-authored numerous scientific articles. Prior to joining HRG in 2004, Dr. Valles-Ayoub's experience includes holding senior scientist and director of research and development positions in industry during 1996 - 2004.

Christian J. Riley, BS, CLSp(MB), Head, Clinical Laboratory Scientist : With over fourteen years of experience in both clinical and research laboratories, Mr. Riley is an expert in managing molecular assay development and deployment, and clinical laboratory quality assessment. His experience spans from hands-on bench work to complex project management requiring multi-specialty liaison services, laboratory administration, marketing support, and executive level oversight.

• Marvin Pietruszka, MD, JD
• Daniel Darvish, MD
• Yadira Valles, MD, PhD

Wayne Grody, MD, PhD
Professor, Division of Medical Genetics & Molecular Pathology
Dept. Path. and Lab. Medicine,
Pediatrics, and Human Genetics
UCLA School of Medicine,
Los Angeles, CA

Perry Shieh, MD, PhD
Director, Neuromuscular Program
Assistant Clinical Professor,
UCLA School of Medicine,
Los Angeles, CA

Jon Wolff, MD, PhD
Vice President, Roche Madison
Founder/CSO Mirus Biopharma
Madison, Wisconsin

Marlene E. Haffner, MD, MPH
Executive Director, Regulatory Affairs, Amgen, Inc.
Thousand Oaks, California and Washington, DC

Assad J. Kazeminy, PhD
Founder/CEO Irvine Pharmaceuticals
Irvine, California

Michael Eshaghian, MD
Obstetrics & Gynecology,
Family Planning & Pre-Natal Diagnostic
Los Angeles, California