management team

Ashok Gowda, Ph.D. - Founder, President and CEO

Dr. Gowda has served as President and CEO of Visualase, Inc. since its inception in late 2005. Dr. Gowda has over 10 years experience in directing medical device technology development and has contributed to the Visualase effort on both the scientific and management fronts. Dr. Gowda currently oversees all aspects of the Visualase commercialization effort, including organizing clinical collaborations, maintaining a strong intellectual property program, and ensuring adequate financial and personnel resources to fulfill the Company vision.

Dr. Gowda received his B.E. degree in Biomedical Engineering from Vanderbilt University in 1991 and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Bioengineering from Texas A&M University in 1998. Dr. Gowda's primary research interests are in the medical therapeutic device development with emphasis on laser-based thermal therapies.

Roger McNichols, Ph.D. - Vice President and Chief Scientist

Dr. McNichols serves as Vice-President and Chief Scientist for Visualase, Inc. and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of research and development at Visualase.

Dr. McNichols has extensive experience in biomedical based optical sensor design and hands on development of optical sensors. Dr. McNichols recieved a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Ohio State University in 1992 and the Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1998. He has served as a lecturing faculty member in the Biomedical Engineering department at Texas A&M University and has a strong background in the life sciences including a year of formal training in medical school.

Robert R. Tillman, M.B.A. – Member of the Board of Directors

Mr. Tillman is a member of the board of directors of Visualase, Inc. and currently operates as a mergers and acquisitions, turnaround and startup business consultant when not employed full-time in an operating role. He has served as President and CEO at RRTI, Inc., Rootsweb.com, Inc., Storm Technology, Inc., and Sunshine Medical Instruments, Inc. As a Product Marketing Manager at Nellcor Incorporated, he authored both the business plan and the FDA application for the first commercially successful noninvasive pulse oximeter. Mr. Tillman holds a B.A. degree from Harvard University and an M.B.A. degree from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.