Sample6 has announced the appointment of Jim Godsey as vice president of research and development (R&D). An accomplished R&D executive with a proven track record in the diagnostics industry, Godsey will lead R&D efforts for Sample6, reporting to the CEO. His immediate responsibilities include growing the product development program and team, enhancing product robustness and supply chain, and driving the overall development of the company’s groundbreaking pathogen detection products.

“With a relentless passion for novel technology, Jim Godsey has played a critical role in the diagnostics field for more than three decades. His deep background in lean six sigma and proven ability to successfully lead expansive research and development teams will help Sample6 build and develop our high-performing and talented staff,” says Sample6 CEO Tim Curran. “He is a critical addition to the Sample6 executive team and will partner with me to turn our vision into a full suite of high quality commercial products that can meet the rising demand for proactive pathogen detection and remediation.” 

A leader in the diagnostics industry for more than 30 years, Godsey is a highly regarded technology pioneer and a coveted R&D professional. In fact, he drove the creation and development of the TIGRIS platform, which has become the foundation of the molecular diagnostics industry. Under his leadership, the two initial assays – Gen-Probe’s TIGRIS Blood Screening portfolio and Gen-Probe’s TIGRIS STD screening assays for chlamydia – were developed and approved. With nearly 1,000 TIGRIS placements generating more than $0.5 M per instrument per year over the past decade, it is one of the most successful molecular instruments to date.

Before joining Sample6, Godsey held various technology, product development and senior management roles at Ventana Medical Systems, Qiagen, Gen-Probe Incorporated, ThermoGenesis Corp., DADE MicroScan and Analytab Products. Godsey earned his Ph.D. in biology (bacterial physiology) from St. John’s University, his M.S. in microbiology (bacterial physiology) from the University of Missouri, and his B.S. from Southeast Missouri State University.