About Us
Committed to excellence in science and service.
ACGT strongly identifies with the objectives of the life science research community. We are committed to providing the most accurate and timely DNA sequencing and molecular biology services. At ACGT, we take great pride in our exemplary customer service and the loyalty of our clientele.
Our Employees
ACGT values the individual contribution of each employee. We work hard to promote professional growth and to cultivate an open, friendly workplace. At ACGT, we are committed to rewarding dedication and strong employee performance.
Our Customers
ACGT understands that your project is unique with its particular objectives and its own challenges. Regardless of size or complexity, each project receives a personalized attention from our expert staff. At ACGT, we are committed to achieving a high level of customer satisfaction.
Our Community
ACGT recognizes that it possesses resources and technologies that can significantly enhance the lives of individuals and better our communities. We are committed not only to quality DNA sequencing services, but we strive towards responsible corporate citizenship through our charitable work and community involvement.
Our Story
Founder and President Heron Yu, Ph.D., at a trade show circa 1990s.
Today, ACGT serves a diverse clientele of life science researchers at academic labs, biotech firms and public health agencies. Since 2017, ACGT has been managed by her son, David Cook.
Heron and David in 2013.
Today, ACGT is owned and operated by Heron’s spouse Chyung Cook and her children: Lisa Cook and David Cook.
ACGT was founded on the service of Sanger DNA sequencing
Expanded service capabilities with custom genomic services
Moved to 15,000 sq. ft. facility in Wheeling, Illinois
Developed regulatory grade GLP compliant sequencing
Began offering Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)
Opened Sanger sequencing lab in Germantown, MD for researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and our east coast clientele
Launched molecular diagnostic services and clinical tests
Developed regulatory grade cGMP compliant sequencing
Our Staff
Chyung Cook, Ph.D.
President Emeritus
Chyung co-founded ACGT in 1993 with his late wife Heron, founder and president. Through his nearly 40 years of experience in industry drug development, Chyung directed pre-clinical and clinical studies and evaluated new drug candidates. His significant contribution to the field includes over 100 research publications, a reference manual and various book chapters and abstracts. He has also served as adjunct facility at the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Pharmacy. Chyung received his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Kentucky.
Semyon Rubinchik, Ph.D.
Scientific Director
Semyon joined ACGT in 2010 where he serves as its most senior scientist and final authority with all molecular biology projects. Prior to then, Semyon was on staff at the Medical University of South Carolina where his research focused on cancer and viral vector development. Throughout his career in academia and industry, Semyon has contributed to the development of vaccine-related technologies and gene therapy. He is credited as a co-author on several patents and attained his doctorate in molecular biology from the University of Toronto.
Jonathan Dixit, M.S.
Manager of Molecular Biology
Jonathan joined ACGT in 2019 as a technologist with the Molecular Biology Group. In 2022 he became its manager where he is responsible for the day-to-day operations and project administration. Jonathan is also the QA supervisor, ensuring compliance with FDA and EPA regulations. He received his master’s degree in molecular biology and biochemistry from Loyola University Medical Center.
Emiliya Botvinik
Manager of Sanger Sequencing (Wheeling, IL)
Emiliya joined ACGT in 2011 as a technologist with the Sanger Sequencing group. She became its manager in 2021 where she is responsible for its day-to-day operations and the customer service team.
Hojoo Lee, Ph.D.
Manager of Sanger Sequencing (Germantown, MD)
Hojoo joined ACGT in 2012 where he manages the Sanger Sequencing facility in Germantown, MD. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship in neuroscience at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and attained his doctorate from the Gyeong-Sang National University in South Korea. Throughout his career in industry and public health, Hojoo has over 30 publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Akanksha Khedekar, M.S.
Senior Bioinformatics Analyst
Akanksha is the senior bioinformatician responsible for multi-omics and high throughput data analysis. She collaborates closely with team members of the Molecular Biology Group to provide bioinformatics solutions to meet the needs of the customer. Akanksha holds a master’s degree in biomedical engineering with a focus on bioinformatics from University of Illinois at Chicago.
Olivia Kim, CPA, MST
Manager of Finance and Accounting
Olivia joined ACGT in 2014 where she manages its finance and accounting, overseeing the company’s fiscal activities. Her responsibilities include analyzing financial reports and data, providing revenue planning and forecasting, and offering strategic business guidance. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Olivia completed her master’s degree in taxation from Northern Illinois University and studied at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Ash McKee
Assistant Manager of Sanger Sequencing (Wheeling, IL)
Ash is the assistant manager of the Sanger Sequencing Group and is responsible for customer service and technical support, account management, and data analysis. They joined ACGT in 2021, following their graduation from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where they received a bachelor’s degree in molecular and cellular biology and a certificate in cell and developmental biology.
David Cook, Esq.
Vice President
David runs the day-to-day operations of ACGT on behalf of the Cook family. Prior to joining the company in 2012 he was an attorney in private practice where he regularly appeared before the U.S. Courts of Appeals and served the state bar as a continuing education instructor. He studied at DePaul University College of Law and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Lisa Cook, M.D.
Clinical Advisor
Lisa advises ACGT on the direction and development of its clinical tests. She is a board-certified neurologist in private practice and on staff at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Lisa completed her medical degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago and her residency and fellowship training at the University of Michigan.