Engineering
Jeremy Dunning
Engineering Staff
Jeremy Dunning began work with the APT Center in 2005. Mr. Dunning’s responsibilities include design and manufacture of flexible, polymer-based electrodes using microfabrication techniques, as well as testing and design of hardware used in the external control of implanted devices. He received both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH.
John Schnellenberger
Engineering Staff
John R. Schnellenberger received the B.S. degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN and the M.S. degree in biomedical engineering from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, in 1999 and 2005, respectively. He worked at Thomson Multimedia, Inc. from 2000-2001 and at Delphi Automotive Systems from 2002-2003. In 2005, he joined the APT Center at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Cleveland, OH. Mr. Schnellenberger’s current work includes circuit design and software development for various research projects including a hybrid neuroprosthesis walking system for assisting individuals with paraplegia. He is also involved with the development and application of wireless sensors for data collection and event detection.
William Rasper
Engineering Staff
William Rasper, BS joined the APT Center in 2019. He supports the APT Center and Innovation Network as an engineer. His duties include, project quality system guidance, mechanical design, mechanical prototyping and fabrication, basic programming and electrical assembly, and IT support. He received his B.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Akron in 2019 and brings over 3 years of experience in the medical device industry.Research Biomedical Engineer.
Frank Zitko
Technical Innovation Specialist
Frank Zitko, BS joined the APT Center in 2018. His duties include providing project management and engineering support to APT Investigators and staff as they seek to improve the lives of Veterans through new, innovative medical devices and technology. His role also expands into the national VA level where he represents the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center in the VA Innovation Center. He supports an interconnected network of innovative employees that help pilot and spread innovations across the Veterans Health Administration. Frank received his B.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering from Marquette University in 2011 and brings over 6 years of engineering experience in the medical device industry.
Mark Pordash
Electrical Engineering
Mark Pordash received his Associate's Degree in Electrical Engineering from Penn Foster College in 2013. He worked for Avtron Manufacturing and Industrial Molding Supplies before joining the APT Center in 2020. Mr. Pordash's current work includes circuit/electronics assembly, cable repair/assembly, electrical/mechanical prototyping, and testing.
Rachel Mann
Software Engineer
Rachel Mann received a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University in 2021 and joined the APT Center as a software engineer shortly after. She brings research and internship experience in the medical device industry, in which she worked with neuroprostheses that seek to improve the lives of those with spinal cord injury, depression, and sleep apnea. Her current work with the center includes user interface design, app development, and C/C++ high level embedded programming.Tyler Tevis
Computer Engineer
Tyler Tevis received a B.S. in Computer Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University in 2020 and started his career in the medical device industry with a Cleveland-based manufacturer after finishing his tour of duty in the US Air Force. Tyler joined the APT Center as a biomedical engineer in 2022, bringing industry experience pertaining to the design, documentation and production of medical devices. His current work includes an implantable urological monitoring device and its associated software/hardware/clinical tools, as well as ongoing development of a suite of virtual reality apps intended to be used in both diagnostic and therapeutic applications in neurology clinics.
