About Zhittya

CEO

Dan Montano started on the floor of the Los Angeles Stock Exchange in 1968 as a floor broker. Over the next 30 years, he managed thousands of stockbrokers as CEO of several securities firms. As an investment banker, Mr. Montano handled the IPOs of over 100 companies from 1968-1998. During that time, he also assisted in starting almost 100 new companies to advance new technologies. In 1998, Mr. Montano left investment banking and dedicated himself to advance biotechnology breakthroughs.

Dan Montano secured his MBA from the University of Southern California (USC) in 1974.

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF SCIENCE OFFICER

Dr. Jack Jacobs has been involved in the healthcare industry for over 25 years and has extensive expertise in supervising drug manufacturing operations and the design and implementation of preclinical animal trials and US FDA-authorized clinical trials. He started a new department of biological chemistry at Merck and for over 20 years worked with Mr. Montano as a chief science officer where Dr. Jacobs oversaw USA FDA-authorized clinical trials in which FGF-1 was tested in a number of medical indications, including coronary artery disease, diabetic foot ulcers, and peripheral artery disease.

Dr. Jacobs received a BS Degree from Davidson College and a PhD in molecular biology from Washington University, St. Louis.

VICE PRESIDENT

For the last 20 years, Viktoriya has been involved with biotechnology, handling technology transfer from Ukraine to the United States, as well as developing clinical trials and researching new applications of angiogenesis medicines. Mrs. Tamlenova-Montano holds three Bachelor’s degrees and a Master’s degree from prestigious Ukrainian universities. She also speaks 6 languages and has been the personal translator for the first president of Ukraine, President Leonid M. Kravchuk. Mrs. Tamlenova-Montano has presented at universities on epigenetics and is dedicated to addressing women’s health issues, which also can be treated with angiogenesis and neurogenesis.

VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS

Judy has been a long-standing player in efforts to develop FGF-1 for cardiovascular and brain disorders. She first joined Dan Montano in 2004, when efforts were focused on studying FGF-1 in patients with severe heart disease and also in diabetics with non-healing foot ulcers. Judy was instrumental in putting together contracts, regulatory filings, and other essential commercial activities to support these efforts. She currently works close with Dan Montano and Dr. Jack Jacobs to advance FGF-1 in an expanded portfolio of medical indications, including brain disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease. She is responsible for the organization and implementation of the commercial operations that always surround the running of relatively complex clinical studies.

RESEARCH SCIENTIST

Tezo Albarran holds a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology from the University of Nevada, Reno. During his undergraduate studies, he worked on the development and optimization of in vitro rubber synthesis, focusing on the Small Rubber Particle Protein (SRPP) derived from Hevea brasiliensis. His work involved successfully expressing and purifying the SRPP protein and utilizing it to create nanodisks in conjunction with DMCP lipids.

After completing his undergraduate degree, his career trajectory shifted toward epigenetics, where he investigated the effects of plasticizers on female fertility. Specifically, he researched the impact of Di-isobutyl Phthalate (DIBP) on steroidogenesis pathways using bovine ovaries as a model system. This research contributed to a better understanding of how environmental chemicals influence reproductive health.

Tezo began his master’s studies in biotechnology in the fall of 2023 and graduated in December 2024. During his graduate studies, he worked at the Nevada Genomics Center, where his responsibilities included operating and maintaining the SeqStudio for Sanger sequencing, quantifying DNA using qPCR, and measuring and interpreting DNA/RNA quality and quantity with Qubit and TapeStation. Additionally, he assisted in preparing sequencing libraries for the Illumina platform, supporting a wide range of genomic research projects.

Before pursuing his studies in biotechnology, he gained medical experience by working as a Patient Care Technician and in phlebotomy. These roles allowed him to develop hands-on skills in patient care and the medical field, further reinforcing his commitment to precision and quality in both clinical and research settings.

Tezo’s multidisciplinary background in molecular biology, epigenetics, medical technology, and genomics has equipped him with a robust skill set to address complex biological questions. He is passionate about integrating his diverse experiences to advance research and clinical applications.

RESEARCH SCIENTIST

Megan Kruitbosch holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology and is currently pursuing an M.S. in Biotechnology at the University of Nevada, Reno. Her independent research on the protein AKAP11 in neurons, conducted in the lab of Dr. Mitchell Omar, aims to improve the understanding of schizophrenia pathology. With expertise in experimental design, data analysis, and protein work, Megan is committed to advancing human health research and making a positive impact on society.

CLINICAL TRIAL MANAGER

Jacqueline Arevalo holds a Master of Science in Biotechnology and a dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Microbiology & Immunology and Biotechnology from the University of Nevada, Reno. She brings hands-on experience in immunodiagnostics, microbiology, and analytical chemistry, backed by a strong track record of working in BSL-2 and cGMP-compliant laboratory environments.

At DxDiscovery, Jacqueline supported the development and optimization of lateral flow immunoassays for the detection of Pertussis and Coccidioidomycosis infections. Her work focused on improving assay sensitivity and reproducibility through protocol development and enhanced analyte detection, which contributed to the development of rapid, point-of-care diagnostics for respiratory infections. 

She also gained high-throughput testing experience at Bureau Veritas, where she performed molecular and culture-based food pathogen analysis. Her responsibilities included PCR screening, microbial enumeration, and biochemical identification using selective media and test strips, while supporting root cause investigation and quality control efforts. 

At Phigenics, Jacqueline led an independent research project investigating morphological switching in Mycobacterium abscessus. She isolated glycopeptidolipids (GPLs) using HPLC and LC-MS/MS, contributing to a better understanding of this pathogen's virulence and cell surface structure. 

Jacqueline is excited to bring her technical expertise, research experience, and commitment to scientific integrity to the Clinical Research role, where she looks forward to contributing to impactful clinical studies and advancing innovative treatments.

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Emily Vazquez holds a Master of Science in Biotechnology and a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Nevada, Reno. Her research experience spans molecular biology, reproductive physiology, and cancer biology, reflecting a strong foundation in both experimental design and translational applications.

During her graduate studies in the Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology and Epigenetics under the supervision of Dr. Luis Schutz, Emily investigated changes in mRNA m⁶A methylation in granulosa cells during ovarian folliculogenesis in cattle. Her project aimed to uncover the epigenetic mechanisms regulating ovarian function and fertility, integrating molecular, biochemical, and genomic approaches to advance understanding of reproductive biology.

Prior to her graduate research, Emily contributed to multiple projects at the University of Nevada, Reno. In the Stan Lab for Preventative Cancer Research, she examined the effects of dietary bioactives on pancreatic cancer cells through immunoblot analyses. At the Liebman Prion Lab, she investigated a two-prion microtubule-associated complex using yeast genetics and fluorescence microscopy to study its role in cytoskeletal maintenance and cellular stability.

Emily’s diverse laboratory background has equipped her with a robust technical skill set and a deep interest in the molecular mechanisms driving health and disease. She is passionate about applying her interdisciplinary training to advance innovative biomedical research and therapeutic development.

BUSINESS INFORMATION SPECIALIST

Owen Boxx hold sa Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Nevada, Reno. He began coding in a high-school engineering course and has continued to build software projects, including several independent games and scripts. As part of his UNR Senior Capstone, he helped design and develop a prototype biometric access-control lock aimed at reducing opioid diversion in pharmacy settings by integrating embedded hardware with secure control software and user authentication and thus removing the need for individualized user credentials. 

TECHNOLOGY AND MARKETING MANAGER

Khiry’s business experience stretches across all fields. Khiry started his career in the restaurant industry, where he was able to use his extensive knowledge of employee management and marketing as a way to jumpstart his career in computer coding, social media, and underlying computer and internet analytics. Working in a biotechnology company, Khiry has brought together his advanced knowledge of computer science, managerial skills, and marketing to facilitate and strengthen advertising campaigns and other marketing efforts.

VICE PRESIDENT OF DRUG DEVELOPMENT

Daniel has been involved in the biotechnology industry for 10 years, where he has done extensive work in graphic design and website development. Beyond his technological experience, he assists in the manufacturing of FGF-1 in the United States, Latin America, and Europe.

VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING

Sergiy has worked at all levels of a biotechnology company, from basic email-security and social media management, to raising hundreds of thousands of dollars and leading a multi-million dollar marketing campaign on Google, YouTube, Facebook, and other platforms. Sergiy has driven more than 3 million people to discover research being conducted in biotechnology. Sergiy speaks three languages: English, Spanish, and Russian which has helped him facilitate business in a wide range of regions.

Sergiy graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a degree in Business Administration and complemented his studies at the Universitat de Barcelona, where he studied Business and Political Economy.