BioUtah, the trade association serving Utah's life sciences community, has announced leadership changes that underscore the sector's ongoing expansion and influence. Erin Barry, vice president of government affairs for Merit Medical Systems, has been elected as the new board chair, and Andrew Hemmert, PhD, senior vice president of molecular research and development for bioMérieux, has been named vice chair. Both positions take effect on January 1, 2026. Barry succeeds Mark Paul, executive director of the Center for Medical Innovation at the University of Utah, who will remain on the board as immediate past chair and serve on the executive committee.
Barry's role at Merit Medical Systems involves overseeing government relations across jurisdictions where the company operates, including lobbying on taxation, trade, FDA regulation, and economic incentives. Prior to Merit, she served as deputy director of government affairs for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association and vice president of government affairs for Unspam. Hemmert leads global teams at bioMérieux focused on developing rapid molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases, including the SpotFire system for point-of-care settings. He is also an active contributor to scientific publications, grants, and patents.
Kelvyn Cullimore, president and CEO of BioUtah, expressed gratitude for Paul's leadership and confidence in Barry's ability to advance the association's mission. "We are exceedingly grateful for Mr. Paul's dedication, wisdom, and leadership over the past year," Cullimore said. "His strategic guidance has strengthened the BioUtah organization and advanced our life sciences community. The board is excited to welcome Ms. Barry. We're confident she will help us boldly further our mission and enhance the state's innovation ecosystem."
In addition to the chair and vice chair appointments, three new members have joined the board effective immediately: Jim Fitzgerald, CEO of ATL Technology; Tracy George, MD, chief scientific officer and president of the Innovation Business Unit at ARUP Laboratories; and Chris Lowe, CEO of Nusano. Fitzgerald brings over 15 years of executive leadership in medical device and packaging companies. George, a professor of pathology at the University of Utah, has received the College of American Pathologists Lifetime Achievement Award and was named a 2022 Healthcare Hero by Utah Business magazine. Lowe has more than 30 years of experience, including C-suite roles in healthcare and finance, and previously served as CFO and COO of Cortexyme, Inc.
The new appointments come as two board members, Jay Muse and Michael Olson, complete their terms after eight years of service. Myles Greenberg, MD, who served on the executive committee as immediate past chair, will remain on the board but conclude his executive committee role. BioUtah is currently governed by a board of 16 directors representing the breadth of Utah's life sciences industry. For more information on the organization's governance, visit BioUtah.org.
These leadership changes are significant for Utah's life sciences ecosystem, which includes medical device manufacturing, biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals, and diagnostics. The new board members bring expertise in government affairs, molecular diagnostics, custom manufacturing, laboratory diagnostics, and strategic leadership, positioning BioUtah to address key industry challenges such as regulatory complexities, innovation funding, and workforce development. As the sector continues to drive Utah's economy and healthcare advances, the board's composition reflects a commitment to fostering growth and collaboration across the life sciences continuum.
