Advisory Board

Bruce Hemming, PhD
President and CEO
Microbe Inotech Laboratories

Dr. Bruce C. Hemming is the President and CEO of Microbe Inotech Laboratories, Inc. (the MiL, inc.) which is now in its 17th year of providing excellence in environmental and food safety microbiological services. He completed his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology at Montana State University, Bozeman, MT in 1982, previously completing his MS degree in Biochemistry (1977) and his BS degree in Microbiology and Chemistry (1975) at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. Following his doctorate, he became a Senior Research Scientist at Monsanto Company charged with development of creative exploratory research within crop protection technology with a focus on biological control and microbial genetics. Later, Dr. Hemming served as Biocontrol Project Leader in the development of biofungicides in conjunction with CSIRO Division of Soils (Australia) and State Universities in the U.S. As project coordinator of a multi-disciplinary research team working toward the development of biofungicides, his coordination included all aspects involved in the development and execution of team goals. One of his patents, served as the foundation for the first genetically engineered microbe organism field test in the U.S. with an organism carrying foreign genes which his team conducted with Clemson University. In 1991 Dr. Hemming left Monsanto to found the MiL inc. which is a specialized, microbial analysis laboratory, expert at isolating, identifying, comparing and confirming microorganisms in medical healthcare, environmental, food, dairy and pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and other manufactured product samples. Our in depth microbiological laboratories are staffed with skilled and knowledgeable microbiologists and biochemists. We provide quality and objective microbiological and specialized biochemical analytical services and expert witness testimony to a worldwide client base within these industries. Microbe Inotech Laboratories, Inc. also provides consulting in microbiological and regulatory affairs and is a member of the American Council of Independent Laboratories (ACIL) as well as ASTM International. Dr. Hemmingserves as the responsible official (RO) for our registration as a select agent laboratory under programs of both the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA). Samples of all types and in all matrices are rapidly analyzed using advanced instrumentation including the “lab on a chip” and quantitative real-time PCR detection and microarray technologies. Microorganisms are identified using the foregoing techniques which include repetitive PCR for “Bacterial Barcode” strain typing as well as bacterial and fungal identifications by GC-FAME analysis, Biolog assays and RiboPrint generation. Sequence analysis of 16S rRNA and 28S rRNA genes allows for the further identification and confirmation of bacteria, yeasts and other fungi. The laboratories recently moved into larger facilities (Fall, 2005) and have continued to expand their services for contract R&D of others as well as our own. New instruments include the Nanodrop Spectrometer, Vidas (BioMerieux’s Vitex ImunoDiagnostic System) and the Vitek2 Compact microbial identification system. Our company has also been awarded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants. In short, we provide our clients with excellence in microbiology, service and expertise using modern instruments to help them produce new materials, products, or processes and stand as a resource to resolve biochemical and biological problems.

Z. Lewis Liu, PhD
Research Molecular Biologist
USDA NCAUR

Dr. Zonglin Lewis Liu is a Research Molecular Biologist at National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, USDA. Dr. Liu has a M.S. in Microbiology from Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1981 and a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1990. Following a 2-years of postdoctoral research associate study in Molecular Biology, Dr. Liu worked as a Scientist and Senior Scientist in an industry R&D and returned to academia for molecular biology and genome research. At University of Illinois, Dr. Liu held positions of Visiting Assistant Professor, Research Assistant Professor, and Research Associate Professor. In 2002, Dr. Liu Joined USDA leading genomic studies of microbial stress tolerance for low cost biofuels production. Dr. Liu is a frequently invited speaker to give lectures nationally and internationally on subjects of genomic research of yeast stress tolerance, tolerant strain development, and enhanced gene expression technology development. Dr. Liu is an Editor of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology and organized several international symposium sessions on microbial stress and genomic approaches for cost-efficient biofuels production. Dr. Liu received over $2 mil external research funding support and is a mentor of 2 postdoctoral research associates. Dr. Liu currently serves as Project Director for National Research Initiative Project “Genomic mechanisms of in situ detoxification of biomass conversion inhibitors for ethanologenic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae”.

James Neawedde, MSc                                                                         Principle, Business Consulting                                                                        Culminating Focus, LLC   

Mr. Neawedde is globally recognized as a facilitator, sales strategist, and value added industry expert with over 20 years of direct experience at addressing customer’s business issues and manufacturing needs both developing and delivering solutions that span all the levels of automation, information and supply chain. He is an author of numerous articles and papers that have been cited by industry analysts and industry publications and he has helped establish industry leading visions, strategies, tactics and programs. He has more than 20 years of experience in high technology manufacturing, joined Rockwell Automation in 1991 as a senior systems engineer and moved to levels of increasing responsibility including Regional Engineering Manager for South East Asia, and Automotive Business Manager. He has directly managed and overseen the deployment of numerous turnkey solutions for the Automotive Industry as well as manufacturing and automation application development. From these efforts, Mr. Neawedde received numerous industry, key customer and partnership awards from companies like Managing Automation News, IBM, Goodyear and Martinrea. Prior to joining Rockwell Automation, Mr. Neawedde served in the U.S. Army, reaching the final rank of Captain. He holds a master’s of science degree in physics (polymers and computer simulations) and a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio.

Harry Rowland, MA, PhD                                                                              VP Engineering and Cofounder                                                                             Endotronix 

Harry D. Rowland is co-founder and vice president of engineering for Endotronix, Inc., an early stage medical device company commercializing a platform technology for wireless physiological sensing. He received a B.S. in mechanical engineering and an M.A. in economics from the University of California-Santa Barbara in 2002. He received his Ph.D. in mechanical ngineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2007. Dr. Rowland has been active in organic microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and high resolution fabrication methods in nanotechnology for the past six years, authoring over 15 conference and journal papers. His projects have led to invited research at Sandia National Laboratories, New Mexico and Trinity College, Ireland, where he co-developed local temperature-controlled instrumented nanoindentation for the study of polymer manufacturing processes on the molecular scale. His research interests focus on the development of advanced manufacturing techniques for polymer micro/nanodevices based upon a fundamental understanding of polymer mechanical properties.

Shad Sleeth, MS
Executive Director
Bradley Technology Commercialization Center

Shad Sleeth serves as the Assistant Director of Bradley University’s Technology Commercialization Center’s and the Peoria NEXT Innovation Center. In this role, Mr. Sleeth assists researchers, inventors, entrepreneurs and early stage companies with the development and growth of their business. Mr. Sleeth most recently served as a Regional Vice President for a Fortune 100 organization assisting entrepreneurs and existing enterprises with the development, implementation, and improvement of operating systems, sales and marketing strategies, market share growth, branding, and cost savings strategies. Through his work Mr. Sleeth was the recipient of the STAR award which is presented to one individual for the improvement of business processes within the organization. His experience negotiating numerous mergers and acquisitions assists entrepreneurs with the development and implementation of exit strategies and funding negotiation. With a rich background in training, presentation development and delivery, project management, marketing, and sales Mr. Sleeth is also able to assist entrepreneurs with the formation of core business functions within their organization. He holds a Bachelors of Science and a Masters of Science in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication from Illinois State University. Mr. Sleeth is also Six Sigma White Belt Certified.

Paul Wayvon, MBA
Instructor of Accounting
Bradley University

Mr. Wayvon is  a Business Executive with extensive international experience in general and financial management, Merger and Acquisition activity, strategic planning and development and turnaround management. He is currently on faculty at Bradley University. Mr Wayvon is a former CFO and COO with wide-ranging management and leadership experience and he serves as a member of various Boards of Directors and Executive Committees. He brings Innovative and creative value generating approaches and solutions founded on the highest level of integrity and accountability.