Leadership Team

Daniel H. Farkas, PhD, HCLD (ABB), CC, CLSp(MB), FACB

Laboratory Director, Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine

Dr. Farkas is an internationally respected leader in the field of molecular diagnostics and has published widely on the subject. He was selected by his peers as the 2007 recipient of the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) Leadership Award.

Most recently, Dr. Farkas was Executive Director of the Center for Molecular Medicine in Grand Rapids, MI, a 21st century genomics initiative that was a joint venture of Spectrum Health and the Van Andel Institute. Dr. Farkas has established three other hospital-based molecular diagnostics laboratories in his 20-year career. These include Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ; William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI; and The Methodist Hospital in Houston. Dr. Farkas has also held faculty positions at Cornell University, Baylor College of Medicine, Michigan State University (MSU; current) and William Beaumont Hospital.

Dr. Farkas, a member since 1990, has served the American Association for Clinical Chemistry in many capacities and is currently a member of its Board of Directors. He has served on three College of American Pathologists Committees, notably for nine years on the Molecular Pathology Resource Committee. Dr. Farkas was the first professional certified by the American Board of Bioanalysis (ABB) in Molecular Diagnostics (1996) and now serves on ABB's board. Dr. Farkas was President of the AMP in 2003. He has served as a member of and consultant to the FDA Clinical and Molecular Genetics Devices Panel.

Dr. Farkas earned a BS degree in Microbiology and Public Health from MSU and a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Dr. Farkas has lectured internationally and published widely on molecular diagnostics, including his latest book in 2008: “DNA From A to Z and Back Again.”

Alan Mack

Senior Director – Sales

Mr. Mack joined Sequenom, Inc. in February 2008 as Senior Director of Prenatal Diagnostics. Prior to joining Sequenom, Mr. Mack was Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Laboratory Partners, a laboratory acquisition company, and was instrumental in raising private equity funds and developing the sales and marketing organization.

Mr. Mack has an extensive background in sales and marketing management, market development and commercialization of products in the molecular diagnostics and clinical laboratory fields. This includes; Global Sales Director at Tm Bioscience, National Sales Manager for Third Wave Molecular Diagnostics, Business Development with Visible Genetics and various sales, marketing and management responsibilities at Quest Diagnostics. He received his bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and is currently a member of the Association of Molecular Pathology.

Howard Slutsky

Senior Director – Operations

In his role as Senior Director-Operations for Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine, Mr. Slutsky is responsible for all operations contained within the pre-analytical & post-analytical processes. These responsibilities include field operations, logistics, sample collection & processing, client services & billing operations. Prior to joining Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine, Mr. Slutsky served as a Healthcare Consultant focused on developing operational support programs in the fields of healthcare and life sciences. His client base included Fortune 500 customers.

Mr. Slutsky has an extensive background in the commercial - reference lab arena, having spent 14 years with Quest Diagnostics. During his tenure with Quest Diagnostics, he served in a variety of leadership positions supporting; business unit operations, business development, logistics, regional operations and anatomic pathology functions.

Mr. Slutsky received his bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University.

David Alter, MD, MPH

Medical Director, Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine

Dr. Alter currently serves as the Medical Director for Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine as well as a Clinical Pathologist at Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids, MI. He is certified by the American Board of Pathology in both Clinical Pathology and Chemical Pathology.

Prior to his current positions, Dr. Alter served on the staffs of William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI and Brown University in Providence, RI.

Dr. Alter is a member of numerous professional societies including the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC), the College of American Pathologists, and the American Society for Clinical Pathology. He also serves on numerous advisory boards and committees, including Spectrum Health-Technology and Information Services Medical Advisory Board and AACC Evidence-based Medicine Committee. Dr. Alter has published and presented extensively throughout his career.

Dr. Alter earned his MD degree from New York Medical College, and his MPH from the University of Michigan.