Management Team
The SDIX Business Management Team utilizes an extensive amount of industry experience to provide our customers with quality products and services which directly and positively impact the IVD and healthcare industries on a global basis.
Brenda O. Staehle is a demonstrated leader with over 35 years’ experience in the Pharmaceutical and Life Science Industries. She joined SDIX in 2011 as the VP of Quality and Regulatory. In 2013, following the SDIX, Inc. sale to OriGene, Brenda assumed the top leadership role at SDIX,LLC as SVP and General Manager, to transform and lead the organization with growth of the life science business at its 3 locations. Prior to joining SDIX, Brenda held various roles of increasing responsibility, dedicated to R&D, manufacturing, quality, and compliance at Merck, Wyeth (now Pfizer) and Shire (now Takeda) and holds a BS in Biochemistry and an MBA from St. Joseph’s University.
Frank Vella is the Chief Scientific Officer at SDIX, LLC. He has 47 years of experience in Life Sciences with 37 years of experience in the IVD industry. A broadly trained biologist, Frank has started as a Senior Scientist in several biotech companies and rose to leadership positions as a troubleshooter and manager. Frank joined SDIX in 1998 as a senior scientist in assay development and was soon put in charge of complex extramural projects developing and producing companion assays in conjunction with pharmaceutical companies. Frank was promoted to CSO in 2020 and is a key resource in the technical development, quality control and production groups as well as technical sales and customer relations. Frank earned his B.S. in Biology from Manhattan College in 1977 and his Ph.D. from the University of Delaware in Biological Sciences in 1986.
Dale Onisk is a leader with over 40 years of experience in Life Science. He joined SDIX in 1993 as a Senior Scientist in Antibody Development within SDIX’s R&D team. As business needs changed, he moved through various management roles within the organization’s manufacturing team. In 2020, he assumed the leadership role of V.P. of Polyclonal Manufacturing and Site Manager at SDIX’s Maine location. He holds BS degrees in Microbiology, General Chemistry, and Biology, an MS in Microbiology, and a Ph.D. in Medical Science (Veterinary Immunology). He did a 3 yr—Post-Doc at Plum Island Animal Disease Center.
Karen Needham is an accomplished and respected leader with over 25 years in the Life Science and Diagnostic Industry. She joined Strategic Diagnostics in January 2000 as a Scientist within the R&D group, and since then she has held various roles with increasing responsibility. She has led the areas for Monoclonal Antibody Development, Production. Purification and Project Management. In January 2014, she was promoted to Senior Director of Production, Planning and Control, where she was instrumental in realigning manufacturing areas to reduce costs and increase overall production yields. In March 2020, she was promoted to V.P. of Manufacturing and Planning. Karen holds a BS degree in Microbiology from the University of Pittsburg.
Ron Kaluzny is an accomplished leader with over 40 years of experience in the Life Science and Diagnostic industry. He joined SDIX in 2007 as the National Strategic Accounts Manager of the Diagnostic business, and since then, has held various leadership positions in the company. In 2019 he was appointed Vice President of Sales and Marketing responsible for growing the entire portfolio of products and services to the Diagnostic Industry. Prior to joining SDIX, Mr. Kaluzny held several leadership positions at Thermo Fisher, Roche Diagnostics, ICN Biomedicals and Organon Teknika. Ron holds a BS degree in Biology from the University of Pittsburg.
Florence A. Lippincott, M.S. has over 25 years of experience as a quality assurance professional in the Life Science and Biotechnology Industry. She joined SDIX in 2014 as an Associate Director of QA, to enhance quality systems and obtain their ISO 13485 certification. In July 2024, she was promoted to Senior Director of Quality & Material Controls. She holds BS degrees in Biology and Environmental Science and a MS degree in Healthcare Management. Prior to joining SDIX, she held quality leadership positions at GSK, QPS, ANP Technologies.
