Meet the Research Animal Diagnostics Services (RADS) Team

Dr. Henderson brings decades of experience in laboratory animal infectious disease that has been fueled by the opportunity to support the world's largest lab animal provider and distributor, but also the world's largest research animal diagnostic laboratory. This has provided him with the unique perspective and the health and genetics background to effectively support the quality control measures required to assure that our models meet your research specifications. He has:

• Published in more than 50 publications relating to infectious disease and diagnostic methods and more than 100 oral and poster presentations at affiliated scientific conferences
• Developed and integrated the first PCR-based testing laboratory among laboratory animal providers
• Introduced and integrated the first nucleic acid-based genetic monitoring within Charles River
• Initiated recombinant antigen technology at Charles River to advance serology assay development
• Initiated and developed the first real-time PCR diagnostic testing laboratory for research biologics and laboratory animals currently representing the largest research animal diagnostic laboratory in the world
• Pioneered direct and environmental testing methods to improve rodent infectious agent detection and reduce or eliminate the need for sentinel rodents
• Investigated and collaborated on studies to characterize more than 30 different lab animal infectious agents that impact research outcomes and animal health
• Used next generation sequencing to discover new iterations of rodent viruses to widen our understanding of potential risk
• Obtained a PhD through studies in molecular virology at the Ohio State University

In her early career at Charles River, Cheryl Woods was one of the bench-level scientists who developed the Molecular Diagnostics testing service. In the 35 years since, PCR has become the current state-of-the-art tool used to detect infectious agents in various laboratory animal species including mice, rats, rabbits, ferrets, exotic rodents, zebrafish, xenopus, and NHPs. 

Well-versed in PCR testing on several platforms and for multiple applications, Woods now manages a team of R&D scientists to support the commercial diagnostic testing operation. This collaborative team:

• Performs internal studies to improve and increase our diagnostic testing portfolio
• Evaluates and develop sentinel-free sampling systems that replace or reduce live animals used as sentinels for health surveillance
• Has developed a Research Biologics & Cell Line testing kit to simplify screening for human and/or rodent pathogens in cell lines, tumors, and other biologics materials
• Has developed new TaqMan PCR assays for emerging pathogens
• Communicates with Charles River clients to provide insights into unexpected findings, instruct on retesting/confirmation recommendations, and pathogen elimination strategies
• Performs Sanger sequencing to verify commercial assays that will detect all sequence variations for the agent of interest and to bolster our internal library of reference DNA sequences
• Collaborates with external entities on studies that benefit laboratory animal community at large

Cheryl Woods received a BA in biology from Clark University.

Dr. Dhawan's expertise includes development of lab animal infectious disease-specific reagents, including expression of recombinant proteins. These highly purified reagents are used to develop serological assays using state-of-the-art technologies including Luminex bead-based MFIA^®, ELISA, and IFA for routinely monitor of SPF animals. Various species of interest include mice, rats, hamsters, rabbits, gerbils, guinea pigs, avian and non-human primates. His interest also covers multiplex immunoassays development to cover complex diagnostics for TB and SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) as well as Adeno-associated neutralizing antibody (AAV NAb) assays.

In addition, Dr. Dhawan's interests involve the development of novel 3R0-friendly diagnostic technologies for pathogen detection in lab animals. These projects include HemaTIP microsampling and PCR-based alternative health monitoring techniques including exhaust air dust (EAD) to replace sentinels for quarantine and routine health monitoring of SPF animal colonies.

Dr. Mulder is the Executive Director of Veterinary and Professional Services for Research Models & Services at Charles River Laboratories. His primary responsibilities include directing the corporate biosecurity program and providing technical and regulatory guidance to the company’s global animal production operations. He is the IAUC Chair for US Research Models and Services and also co-chairs the office responsible for ensuring compliance of Charles River's safety, discovery, and production operations with USDA and OLAW animal welfare regulations and guidelines.

Dr. Mulder has a history of service to numerous professional organizations including the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS), the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine, the American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners, the National Association for Biomedical Research, and the International Air Transit Association. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine and joined the PRIM&R Board of Directors in 2024. Additionally, Dr. Mulder serves as an ad hoc site visitor with AAALAC International. 

Prior to joining Charles River, Dr. Mulder was Director and Attending Veterinarian for University Laboratory Animal Resources at the University of California, Irvine. Before entering the field of laboratory animal medicine, he practiced small animal medicine in Seattle, Washington. He completed postdoctoral training and received an MS in comparative medicine from the University of Washington, his veterinary degree from Washington State University, his MBA degree from Suffolk University, and his BS degree from Willamette University.

Dr. Jen has 14 years of experience in clinical production and contract research organization operations, both in flexible film and barrier operation settings. Her experience includes leading scientific research projects with operational, biosecurity, and animal welfare implications. She provides guidance and leads investigations and corrective actions plans for health monitoring, colony health management, biosecurity, and animal welfare programs. Dr. Jen has an active leadership role in the IACUC as an IACUC chair while providing regulatory guidance to operations.

Dr. Nickerson is experienced directing R&D projects, supporting health monitoring programs, providing laboratory and data insight, and communicating science to the community. Throughout her career, she has:

• Received accolades for her innovative research at international meetings, including digestive disease week
• Cleverly approached research from unconventional angles resulting in numerous publications, posters, and presentations
• Mentored students from all over the greater Boston area; many of whom are now graduate students and beyond

In her current role, she actively:

• Collaborates with investigators to understand new and emerging infectious agents
• Develops molecular assays to detect and identify microbial agents
• Works to understand the significance of agents in different environments
• Educates the community on the significance, limitations and appropriate use of health monitoring or specific agent testing
• Enthusiastically embraces the weird and unexpected to help our collaborators explain findings and understand results

Giota Momtsios has been working for the R&D team within Molecular Diagnostics department for several years. An experienced scientist, she has solid knowledge of molecular diagnostics (MDX) testing platforms, analyses of test results, and interpretations leading to a greater understanding of the infectious agents we offer and methods to detect them.

She has been responsible for designing and developing new PCR assays and managing investigational studies related to, but not limited to exhaust air dust testing and more recently with all the PathogenBinder^® collection media studies. Giota Momtsios' work has also helped support investigations to characterize infectious agents and improve our understanding to better detect and exclude these agents.

In her current role, she actively

• Continues to provide client support through results review, recommended retesting avenues, and investigative epidemiology
• Supports and participates in investigative research collaboration efforts within Charles River and with external academic and industry leaders
• Contributes to multiple departments through process and procedure development such as SNP analysis for genetic integrity of our research models, refinement, and optimization of PCR testing for MDX and training of personnel across RADS to run routine operations of several technologies

Momtsios holds a bachelor's degree in biology and a professional science master's degree in biotechnology.

Dr. Balzer began working as an R&D scientist for Charles River in 2020 and is responsible for the design, development, optimization, and maintenance of serological assays using MFIA, IFA, ELISA, and WIB platforms. He developed a cell-based serological assay for routine screening and detection of neutralizing antibodies against Adeno-associated Virus (AAV), a viral vector routinely used in gene therapy studies. Additionally, he provides R&D support to the teams responsible for producing the antigens and reagents used in routine serological testing.

Dr. Balzer graduated from Virginia Tech with a BS in biochemistry. He received his PhD in molecular biology from the University of Oregon. His dissertation focused on understanding the mechanism of actin polymerization and the interaction of the proteins involved in this process.

Urte Jaeh provides scientific support to internal and external clients. She frequently represent Charles River at public events, scientific meetings, and educational events as a participant or a scientific speaker.

Prior to joining Charles River, she was a project manager for contract breeding services at Envigo, managing projects and services related to transgenic services, contract maintenance, contract breeding, cryopreservation, embryo transfer, rederivation services, and antibody production for the pharmaceutical, biotech and chemical industry, as well as academic and governmental research organizations.