NuGEN Technologies, Inc., a privately held company that develops and commercializes nucleic acid amplification and sample preparation systems, announced today that it has hired Daniel Benetz to serve as the company’s chief financial officer, and Dr. Yan Zhang to fill the newly created role of vice president of marketing. Both will report to Elizabeth Hutt, chief executive officer. Benetz, who during his tenure at Affymetrix served as senior director, business finance, European finance director, and director, corporate financial planning and analysis, will oversee all financial aspects of the company, set a dynamic course for increased profitability, and support new product development and commercialization objectives. Prior to Affymetrix, Benetz spent 11 years with Intel Corporation in positions of increasing responsibility, preceded by a position at Wells Fargo Bank. He is a graduate of the University of California Los Angeles. “Dan’s expertise in finance, along with in-depth life science category knowledge, brings the valuable financial experience required to support our rapidly growing business,” noted Hutt. “Dan’s leadership and strong track record will inform the best use of our existing infrastructure and bring to fruition our focused plan for future expansion. His addition to the team will also strengthen our ability to work with both international and diagnostic customers and partners.” In the newly created role of vice president of marketing, Dr. Zhang brings expertise in strategic marketing and product management from roles with life science leaders Affymetrix, Molecular Devices, and Hyseq. Zhang will be responsible for leading NuGEN’s growing presence in small, and/or degraded RNA sample preparation solutions in addition to new, strategic markets for the company’s flagship SPIA® amplification technology. Zhang earned her doctorate in biochemistry at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and her undergraduate degree at Beijing University, Beijing, China. “Bringing aboard a vice president of marketing will help NuGEN continue its strong focus on customer and market needs. In addition, Dr. Zhang’s strong technical background, vision, and broad customer knowledge are critical to our future growth in markets such as diagnostics, translational medicine, and academic research,” explained Hutt. “With these refinements to the executive team, NuGEN is well positioned for a tremendous year ahead.”