Dr. Ron Utecht oversees the scientific direction for Alumend, the technology development company responsible for the inception of the Alucent NVS Therapy. Dr. Utecht has more than 30 years of experience in product development effectively tailoring novel chemistries to targeted applications. He invented the novel photochemistry which forms the Alucent NVS Therapy.
A successful entrepreneur, Dr. Utecht is a founding member of several biotechnology companies and the winner of the 2015 South Dakota Entrepreneur of the Year. For 26 years, he has also held academic positions as assistant professor and professor at South Dakota State University. He holds numerous U.S. and international patents and has authored articles for peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations. He earned a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and a doctorate in chemistry from Iowa State University.