The Avalyra team blends scientific breakthrough with commercial grit.
Together, we’re redefining non-invasive diagnostics for real-time, clinically actionable insight - across multiple sectors and markets.
Laura K. Orthwein - Founder & CEO
Cross-sector entrepreneur with a track record of scaling innovation across healthcare, biotech, defense, manufacturing, media, and digital transformation. Former digital strategy lead (contractor) supporting Merck’s U.S. pharmaceutical portfolio, where she guided the development of online marketing initiatives. She also led successful efforts to secure sole-source military contracts for proprietary technologies. Now spearheading Avalyra Biophotonics’ mission to redefine diagnostics through real-time biophotonic sensing, she brings 25 years of experience scaling startups, guiding legacy organizations into new markets, and turning strategy into sustained traction.
Paul Dent, BS MS PhD:
Co-Founder, Senior R&D Scientist: Product Development
Co-Inventor of Avalyra’s patented biophotonic sensing platform and lead engineer for device miniaturization. Specializes in analog/digital integration, prototyping, and system calibration from lab to field.
With deep experience in translating scientific concepts into functional hardware, Paul leads the engineering effort to miniaturize the platform, optimize component layout, and ensure manufacturability. He continues to play a key role in signal validation, system calibration, and hardware refinement for both clinical and commercial use.
Joseph Chaiken, BS PhD - Co-Founder, Scientific Advisory Board Chair & Product Development:
Primary inventor of Avalyra’s patented biophotonic platform and a leading innovator in biological monitoring systems. Chemical Physicist, spectroscopist and pioneer in continuous, noninvasive, real-time, blood and tissue analysis, and vascular diagnostics, with decades of DoD and privately funded research experience in basic and applied spectroscopy and photonics. Oversees scientific direction and signal algorithm development.
His research has enabled the real-time detection of hematocrit, plasma volume, vascular tone, and hemodynamic parameters using novel photonic architectures. Dr. Chaiken continues to guide the advancement of signal processing and optical algorithms at the core of Avalyra’s sensing platform.
The Scientific Advisory Board
Our founding Scientific Advisory Board members have been selected and are currently completing onboarding. Formal announcements will follow shortly.