Christa Lafayette
Ms. Lafayette, Founder and CEO of Catalyst Biosolutions, LLC, specializing in surgical and behavioral models for preclinical development in biotechnology. She currently provides a range of services including guidance, development, training, regulatory assistance, and team management primarily to small biotech companies. Previously, she founded LifeSource Biomedical, LLC, a large-animal Contract Research Organization, and supported NASA's life science space programs. Outside of her professional work, Ms. Lafayette is an avid competitive equestrian and horse owner, with strong ties to the performance horse community.
Erica Lundquist
A UC Davis graduate with a degree in Biological Sciences focusing on Microbiology, Mrs. Lundquist has over 20 years of experience in the Life Sciences field. She started her career at NASA with Lockheed Martin, collaborating with scientists and astronauts on brain research for the Space Shuttle program. Mrs. Lundquist was a partner and founder of LifeSource Biomedical, LLC, and a consultant at Catalyst Biosolutions, LLC, focusing on animal health and regulations. She is currently the Chief Operating Officer for Etalon Equine Genetics.
Katie Hoefs-Martin
Ms. Martin has been with Etalon since its inception, initially working with Ms. Lafayette collecting horse hair samples and analyzing data. She has ridden horses since age 9 and competed internationally in Young Riders while balancing school and martial arts. After a stint at IBM, she pursued her passion for horses full-time and is now a professional dressage competitor and trainer with numerous regional and national championships. Together with her husband, Erik Martin, they own and run Martin Performance Horses and Katie Hoefs-Martin Dressage, and both work for Etalon Genetics.
Robin Everts
Dr. Robin Everts is the Head of Research & Lab Operations at Etalon Equine Genetics, with over 20 years of experience in molecular and genetic research. He holds an MSc in Animal Sciences from Wageningen Agricultural University and a PhD from Universiteit Utrecht, focusing on genetic research in dogs. Dr. Everts has held positions at the University of Illinois, Sequenom Biosciences, and Agena Bioscience, where he led global Pharmacogenetics efforts and developed Etalon's original DNA panel. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed papers and serves on the scientific advisory boards of Etalon Equine Genetics and ADx Health. For a list of Dr. Everts' publications, please click here or here