Meet The Management Team
Chris Chase, DVM, PhD
CVSD CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER
He is a co-founder of RTI LLC and an emeritus professor at the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at South Dakota State University. His expertise in animal disease research allows him to integrate veterinary research with the practical aspects of clinical medicine to provide direction in assay and SOP development.
Sonja Van Holland, MT, ASCP
DIRECTOR: BIOLOGICS RESEARCH AND DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORIES
Sonja graduated from South Dakota State University with a double major in Microbiology and Clinical Laboratory Science and a minor in Chemistry. Since then, she has accumulated over 36 years of experience managing microbiology and diagnostic laboratories. Sonja joined Rtilab in 2014 and has been a driving force behind shaping the laboratories and service offerings into what they are today. Sonja is the laboratory director and provides bacteriology expertise to the clinical team.
Karim Abdelsalam, BVSc, MVSc, PhD
LEAD SENIOR SCIENTIST
Karim obtained his veterinary degree in Egypt and began his career as a teaching assistant in the Virology and Antiviral Immunology department at Zagazig University, Egypt, in 2010. He completed his pre-master courses in Egypt from 2013 to 2015. In 2016, he earned a master’s degree in biological sciences with a virology specialty from South Dakota State University. Karim joined Rtilab in 2017 and is responsible for leading or assisting colleagues with clinical research projects. He continued his studies at the same institution and received his PhD in veterinary microbiology in 2021, focusing on bovine virology and antiviral immunology.
Alanna Hartsfield, B.S., M.S.
LABORATORY PRODUCTION MANAGER
Alanna develops and oversees training and competency programs for laboratory staff, ensuring high standards of performance and quality across all operations. She also supports client needs by managing feedback and addressing concerns to maintain strong partnerships and efficient communication. In addition, Alanna coordinates the laboratory components of clinical research studies and performs diagnostic testing, allowing her to serve as a knowledgeable and reliable resource for laboratory personnel.