Management Team
Dr. Kelley, Scientific and Technical Director of the Cell Therapy Facility, is founder of the Regenerative Medicine and Umbilical Cord Blood Programs at the University of Utah. Dr. Kelley works closely with each client and manager to ensure that projects are aligned with the laboratories’ goals and values as well as the client’s needs. Dr. Kelley is nationally known for her academic work and publications in cell therapy; and she is a recognized expert on stem cell therapeutics, products and technology. She serves on multiple boards and committees advising on scientific policy and establishing standards and regulations for the stem cell field, including the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT), the Cord Blood Committee for the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), and the National Academy of Sciences committee that advises Congress on the structure and budget for the National Cord Blood Program.
Ms. Omer, Financial Analyst, oversees the financial operations for the Facility. She works with each laboratory to create individualized models to improve program efficiency, monitor financial performance, and implement operational procedures. Ms. Omer previously worked for Huntsman Cancer Institute as a research associate and manager of the gastrointestinal clinical research program. She also worked for a private equity firm developing and applying financial models, and investing and monitoring client funds.
Dr. Henshaw, Technical Supervisor, coordinates the daily operations of the Regenerative Medicine Program. She oversees the implementation of research contracts for stem cell products and facilitates the transition of investigator/client-driven projects into the clinical setting. Dr. Henshaw is responsible for ensuring that the methods employed are scientifically sound and the stem cell products are manufactured in compliance with existing regulations. Dr. Henshaw has 14 years of research experience in basic stem cell biology and molecular biology, including post-doctoral work on directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells.
Ms. Jacobson, Technical Manager, oversees the daily operations of the Stem Cell Processing Laboratory, which supports the Utah Blood and Marrow Transplant Program with consistent, high-quality products for transplant. Ms. Jacobson has 25 years of in vitro culture experience including management of the cell culture facilities at NPS Pharmaceuticals in Salt Lake City and gene therapy facilities at the BioScience division of Baxter Healthcare in Chicago.
Ms. Goodfellow, Apheresis Supervisor, oversees the collections of stem cells and mononuclear cells to support clinical trials and the Utah Blood and Marrow Transplant Program. She has over 12 years of experience in apheresis at the University of Utah and ARUP Laboratories. She also has 6 years of blood bank experience. Ms. Goodfellow is actively involved in the American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) and serves on the Allied Health Committee.
Mr. Havens, Quality Assurance Manager, oversees and coordinates all aspects of quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) for the facility, including FDA regulations and FACT accreditation and standards. QA ensures compliance with 21 CRF 1271 (GTP regulations), as well as regulations associated with Investigational New Drug (IND) applications and clinical trials. Mr. Havens earned a BS in Biology from the University of Utah with an emphasis on pre-medical studies. He has many years of people/operations management experience, having managed over 100 staff members. He also ran his own successful business for many years. His regulatory and compliance background came from supervising blood component manufacturing at the American Red Cross in Salt Lake City.
Ms. Jolley, Cord Blood Program Manager, oversees the daily operations for all cord blood activities. She works with collection sites and banking facilities to ensure organization and adherence to the highest industry and government standards. She also provides education and promotional services. Ms. Jolley previously worked at Huntsman Cancer Institute as a Coordinator for the Clinical Trials Office.
