Our Team
Sarah Jacobs-Helber, PhD, HCLD (ABB)
Chief Laboratory Officer, GENETWORx
With more than 20 years’ experience in laboratory management and molecular testing, Sarah Jacobs-Helber brings considerable expertise her role as GENETWORx chief laboratory officer. Dr. Jacobs-Helber joined GENETWORx in 2013 as director of the high-complexity clinical. Before joining GENETWORx, she served as the clinical director of AIBiotech in Richmond, VA.
Dr. Jacobs-Helber earned a B.S. in biology from Bucknell University, in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and her PhD in Microbiology/Immunology from the Medical College of Virginia, in Richmond. Her post-doctoral research includes work at the National Cancer Institute and the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the Medical College of Virginia. Dr. Jacobs-Helber holds board certification as a High-Complexity Lab Director (HCLD) from the American Board of Bioanalysis (ABB). She certified by the New York State Department of Health as a director for molecular genetics and parentage testing. She is the first author on numerous scientific articles published in high-impact journals.
Matthew J. Beckman, PhD
Director of Laboratory Services, GENETWORx
Before joining GENETWORx, Dr. Beckman was a faculty member for the Department of Molecular Biochemistry at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where he led a research team in the area of bone biology and regeneration and directed the molecular division of the VCU Orthopedic Research Laboratory. Dr. Beckman has published over 40 articles, manuscripts, and reviews. He is a leading expert in personalized medicine for next-generation DNA sequencing and heredity genomics, with a focus on targeted therapeutics in pain, cardiac, and medication management. Dr. Beckman also serves as acting laboratory supervisor in the CLIA- and CAP-accredited clinical laboratory at GENETWORx, supporting state-of-the-art gene testing technology.
Dr. Beckman earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Steubenville, in Ohio. He received his PhD in Nutritional Physiology with an emphasis in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology from Iowa State University. His postdoctoral training was in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he studied the molecular mechanism and action of Vitamin D, as well as Vitamin D metabolism through P450 enzyme systems.
Ross Mitchell
Vice President of Operations
Mr. Mitchell joined GENETWORx in 2020 as Vice President of Operations. Mr. Mitchell has more than 18 years’ experience in the life sciences, medical technology, and pharmaceutical industries, which includes work at Pinnacle Lab Services, Gateway Pharmaceuticals, Medtronic, and the Stryker Corporation. Mr. Mitchell oversees day-to-day laboratory and administrative operations for GENETWORx.
Charnetta Williams
Director of Operations, GENETWORx
Mrs. Williams has over 15 years’ experience in the healthcare industry, with an emphasis in customer service, training, and quality assurance. Before joining GENETWORx, Mrs. Williams worked for Bostwick Laboratories, a national anatomic and clinical pathology laboratory, as the laboratory reporting and processing manager. She was later promoted to medical records manager, insurance research manager, quality assurance/quality control manager, and logistics manager. Prior to working for Bostwick, Mrs. Williams worked for a medical transcription company called CyMed.
Mrs. Williams grew up in Powhatan, Virginia and was born in Richmond, where she earned an associate’s degree in healthcare administration from ECPI University.
Matt Etheridge
Senior Vice President of Sales, GENETWORx
Mr. Etheridge joined GENETWORx in 2020, after spending nearly 20 years in pharmaceutical and life sciences sales. Mr. Etheridge previously worked for Pfizer, Advanced BioHealing, Bellevue Pharmacy/Fagron, and Pinnacle Health. Mr. Etheridge oversees both outside- and inside-sales departments for GENETWORx.