
OUR TEAM


MEET THE RYP LABS TEAM.
Moody Soliman
MS / MBA
FOUNDER / CEO
Experienced entrepreneur and startup founder with more than 15 years of experience in the Medical Device, Biotech and AgTech industries. Previous leadership roles included the product launch and commercialization for a Biotech start-up, the manufacturing of a Class III interventional cardiology medical device, and the introduction of a 510(k) neurological medical device. Moody has a passion for delivering products that ultimately improve people’s health, safety and quality of life.

Ozgur Yildirim
PhD
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
Ozgur is an accomplished innovation leader with more than 20 years of experience in global organizations including Hewlett Packard (HP) and Intellectual Ventures. He led the successful launch of more than 20 technology development projects with promising global product and market applications. He is driven to pioneer highly cross functional initiatives at the intersection of science, engineering and business.

Nuria Buxons Vives
MS
LAB TECHNICIAN
Holds a Master’s Degree in Advanced Microbiology with more than four years of experience. Previous experience includes antimicrobial therapies.

Katie Benoit
Quality Engineer
Holds Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Toxicology with cGMP and cGLP experience including GC/MS.

Steve Hulteng
MME / PE
COO / CO-FOUNDER
A veteran in the engineering and operational roles in aerospace, medtech and biotech industries, Steve knows the ins and outs of starting up and successfully leading diverse, technical teams to design, manufacture, and launch new products for commercial distribution. With a strong background in problem solving, Steve implements a system-based approach with his teams to plan, execute, and monitor progress toward an end goal.

Michelle Holtappels
PhD
R&D MANAGER
Postdoctoral Research Fellow with more than nine years of experience in the field of microbiology with deep expertise in fungal pathogens and fruit-microbe interactions.

Ben Jones
MS
MATERIAL SCIENTIST
Holds a Master’s Degree in Material Science and Engineering with more than nine years of experience in interface and surfactant chemistry and biomaterials design.