ABOUT US
Team Etalon includes top scientists, geneticists, biologists, tech experts, professional equestrians and animal lovers from the Silicon Valley, esteemed universities and laboratories around the nation.
We strive to create meaningful, useful and scientifically valid methods for improving the lives and health of our valued performance, service, and companion animals.
Our genetic diagnostic platform provides comprehensive panels of commercially available genetic diagnostics you may have seen offered elsewhere as single horse DNA genetic tests. Additionally we have included many new genetic markers and diagnostics you may not have seen and may not have been aware are now available. Not only have we included numerous new equine traits and markers for health diagnostics, but we have placed them on comprehensive panels for an affordable price.
While the genetic testing panels are, alone, very cutting edge; they only the tip of the tail, and we can't wait to reveal to you and your horses what's next!
MEET THE TEAM
Management
Christa Lafayette
Founder and CEO of Catalyst Biosolutions, LLC (founded 2004) specializing in surgical and behavioral models for preclinical development in biotechnology. She currently provides guidance, development, training and assistance, regulatory and team management services primarily to small biotech companies. Ms. Lafayette is a proven biotech business executive having founded and developed several companies successfully in Silicon Valley as well as assisted with the early-stage development and growth of many more.
Ms. Lafayette served as Founder and former Vice President of LifeSource Biomedical, LLC, a large-animal Contract Research Organization established in 2008 on the NASA campus. She also supported the internal life science space programs and created a commercial CRO focused on preclinical development services for NASA. In her personal life, she is an avid competitive equestrian, horse owner (previously with a stallion breeding program particularly focused on performance, temperament and color) and has 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 experience in the Life Sciences field. She started her career at NASA with Lockheed Martin. In collaboration with scientists and astronauts in the Life Science Division for the Space Shuttle program, their focus was on brain research. She was also a partner, founder and instrumental in the development and launch of the company, LifeSource Biomedical, LLC, and a consultant at Catalyst Biosolutions, LLC. She focused on animal health and regulations, while supervising the staff, and managing marketing events. Ms. Lundquist worked not only in Life Sciences, but prominent Silicon Valley-based companies such as Cisco Systems, and Jasmine Networks. She is currently the Chief Operations Officer for Etalon Diagnostics.
Katie Hoefs Martin
Mrs. Martin is a professional equestrian competitor and trainer with over 20 years of experience as well as a USEF Competition Judge (“r” level). Having earned her USDF Gold, Silver and Bronze medals along with her Freestyle Gold Bar, Silver Bar and Bronze Bar, she is one of only 10 people in the country to do so. Beginning her career in Hunter/Jumpers and Eventing, she settled on serious competition and training in Dressage while still keeping her hand in the Jumping/Eventing world. She has many regional and national championships to her name riding a great variety of different breeds at all levels from National Young Horse to International Grand Prix. Together with her husband, Erik Martin, she owns and runs KHM Dressage .
Etalon's Advisory Boards
Team Etalon includes a number of influential researchers, equestrian athletes, breeders, veterinarians, and experts.
