Who we are
We are RetMap, Inc.
We make electroretinography electrodes for veterinary and human use.
Avoidable vision loss is unacceptable.
Our Mission:
To protect your vision with cutting-edge medical devices for screening, diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative eye conditions.
We are engineers, scientists and clinicians driven by the challenge to improve eye care through ground-breaking designs.
Our Culture:
Our culture is founded on meticulous attention to detail, multidisciplinary problem solving and a fascination with elegant solutions to meet critical needs in ophthalmology.
Meet the Team
Chief Executive Officer and Board Member
David Vigil, MBA
Dave Vigil is an accomplished executive with a proven history of scaling innovative companies. Drawn to RetMap's transformative technology, Dave stepped out of retirement to guide the company toward successful growth. He joined RetMap in January 2021, bringing a wealth of experience from his leadership roles at Qualcomm, where he spearheaded business development across multiple regions, including the U.S., Europe, and Southeast Asia, and oversaw sales, marketing, and product development. More recently, Dave served as CEO and President of two L Catterton portfolio companies, where he successfully led critical growth stages. His expertise spans communication technology, medical devices, and veterinary products. His is leadership is positioning RetMap for an exciting future, with a focus on expanding market reach and future-defining pipeline technology. Dave holds a B.S. in Finance and an MBA from San Diego State University and is also an elite cyclist.
Chief Technology Officer and Board Member
John Hetling, PhD
John Hetling is committed to advancing ophthalmic healthcare through the design and development of cutting-edge medical devices that improve patient outcomes. His deep passion for preventing irreversible blindness through early disease detection drives the innovative technologies he creates. At RetMap, he leads product development and scientific research while supporting fundraising and team-building efforts. With over 25 years of expertise in biomedical engineering and electroretinography, John is recognized as avant-garde in his field. He is a tenured Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Director of Neural Engineering Vision Laboratory. The Contact Lens Electrode Array (CLEAr Lens) – a disruptive RetMap pipeline technology stemmed out of his lab. He earned his B.S. in Biology from Bates College and his Ph.D. in Bioengineering and Neuroscience from UIC. Beyond his groundbreaking work, John is an avid animal lover and finds inspiration in the outdoors
Chief Medical Officer and Board Member
Safa Rahmani, MD, MS
Safa Rahmani has a deep passion for pediatric retinal care and is a Retina Specialist and a Vitreoretinal Surgeon at Lurie Children’s Hospital. Her unwavering commitment to addressing the needs of patients with rare and complex retinal diseases fuels her excellence as Chief Medical Officer. At RetMap, she plays a crucial role in translating the company's innovative technologies into impactful clinical initiatives. Dr. Rahmani’s clinical expertise also includes Hereditary Retinal Dystrophies. She made foundational contributions to the CLEAr Lens and understands its transformative diagnostic potential in retinal gene therapy. She earned her master’s in biomedical engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago, completed her Ophthalmology Residency at Northwestern University, and pursued a Vitreoretinal Diseases fellowship at Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary. Outside of her professional work, Dr. Rahmani enjoys quality time with her family and discovering new travel destinations
Board Member
Tamas Ban, PhD, MBA
A visionary leader, Tamas Ban co-founded RetMap with the goal of delivering ground-breaking retinal diagnostics to patients. As a seasoned executive, Tamas brings a unique perspective to the board, drawn from his extensive experience in both Fortune 500 corporations and entrepreneurial ventures. Over his 25-year career, he has consistently driven innovation and growth by identifying new revenue streams, expanding market reach, and developing novel products. Currently, Tamas serves as a management consultant at Systems Evolution, Inc., where he leverages his deep understanding of emerging trends and markets to help organizations achieve their strategic objectives. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Board Member, Founder and President of MTSG
John Major, MBA, JD, MS
John Major was the earliest supporter in RetMap, recognizing the potential of its technology to transform eye care and combat irreversible blindness. As a Board member and mentor at RetMap, he has consistently provided invaluable advice and guidance during both challenging times and strategic planning for short- and long-term goals. With a distinguished career, he was the CTO and Senior Vice President at Motorola and served as Chairman and CEO of Apacheta and Novatel Wireless, where he led Novatel Wireless to a successful IPO in 2000. Currently, he is the Founder and President of MTSG. Mr. Major holds a B.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Rochester, an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois, an M.B.A. from Northwestern University, a J.D. from Loyola University, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Illinois. He is also the inventor of twelve U.S. patents.
Board Observer, Senior Director, Illinois Ventures
Nancy Harvey, PhD, MBA
Nancy Harvey is the Senior Director at Illinois Ventures, a life-science-focused venture capital firm and is deeply committed to mentoring and supporting early-stage companies. Her endorsement as a Board Observer at RetMap reflects her strong belief in the company's potential to significantly impact patient care. With extensive experience in university-based research commercialization and venture creation, Nancy has been instrumental in launching successful startups. Her passion for advancing STEM, health, is evident in her contributions to organizations such as the University of Chicago’s George Schultz Innovation Fund and Chicago Women in Bio. She holds a PhD in Chemical Physics and an MBA from Wharton, combining scientific expertise with business acumen to guide and support the companies she works with.
Consulting Chief Financial Officer
Michael Aceti, MBA
Mike Aceti is motivated by the passion and energy his colleagues bring to work every day in the effort to address unmet medical needs. The mission of RetMap excites him because the technology has the opportunity to improve patients' lives in a way that's very personal to him. As the Chief Financial Officer at RetMap, Mike brings over 30 years of financial and operational expertise across diverse industries, including biotechnology, life sciences, medical devices, health tech, software, consulting, consumer products, financial services, and non-profit. This broad experience equips him with an understanding and an ability to adapt to the complexities of a company as it progresses through various stages. Mike holds a BA in Economics from Saint Lawrence University and an MBA from The University of Chicago. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.
Chief Operating Officer
Shresta Patangay, PhD
Shresta Patangay is passionate about RetMap’s technologies, which push the boundaries of eye diagnostics towards positive change, early disease detection, and better patient outcomes. She values the strong validation from key opinion leaders, recognizing both the promise and the need for RetMap's innovations. Shresta is thrilled to be part of the profound change that RetMap is bringing to the field. As the Chief Operating Officer, she is responsible for leading the company’s operational strategy and execution. She oversees a wide range of critical functions, including, Quality, Manufacturing, Research and Product Development. Her role involves seamlessly integrating the departments to propel growth. She earned her PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Illinois where she developed a novel patented ERG system. Shresta enjoys reading, and listening to science and business podcasts, and is an avid fan of Adam Grant and Avatar the Last Airbender.
Sr. Manager, Manufacturing and Operations
Azul Cohlmia, BS
Azul Cohlmia’s commitment to community and passion for healthcare led him to found and lead multiple Advanced Vein Centers across the country, driving them to profitability. This experience has provided him with invaluable insights into the complexities of the healthcare sector. As a Manufacturing Manager at RetMap, Azul leverages his expertise in optimization to manage and enhance production efficiency. His broader operational experience across various industries equips him with a comprehensive toolkit to manage Supplier relationships, tackle challenges and pivot to solve the problem. He wears multiple hats, steps up when needed, and collaborates effectively with a multidisciplinary team to achieve key milestones. He holds an undergraduate degree in Environmental Conservation and Sustainability from DePaul University. Azul has a deep appreciation and passion for animal welfare, sustainability and is committed to giving back. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, gardening, and spending time with his wife and four dogs
Manager, Quality and Regulatory
Kevin Fong, BS
Kevin Fong is a results-oriented regulatory and quality leader with a robust background in the medical device industry. His experience includes working at the US Patent Office, serving as a regulatory consultant at MCRA, and gaining insights in the contract research space. These roles have ingrained in him the importance of quality control and adherence to the highest patient safety standards. Kevin's expertise covers navigating complex regulatory landscapes, managing 510(k), IDE, De Novo, and PMA submissions, and overseeing clinical data for drug submissions. At RetMap, Inc., Kevin manages Quality and Regulatory, implementing the company's Quality Policy, overseeing the quality management system, and ensuring FDA compliance. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering from the University of Illinois Chicago, where he built a strong foundation in biomedical engineering, regulatory affairs, and intellectual property. In his free time, Kevin enjoys trying tantalizing new recipes and exploring new cities with his dog.
Engineer - I
Andrew Lazarus, BS
Andrew Lazarus is deeply passionate about improving patient lives. Originally planning to become a medical doctor, he took a gap year to explore the industry and practice translational science. Recognizing that there are many avenues to impact patient care, Andrew chose to postpone medical school and joined RetMap as a full-time Engineer. At RetMap, Andrew is responsible for Testing, Research, and Development. He also focuses on assembly, working closely with Manufacturing and Quality to ensure our products meet the required quality standards. A graduate of Northwestern University with a bachelor’s in biomedical engineering and Neuroscience, Andrew's academic journey equipped him with critical problem-solving skills and hands-on experience in medical device development, particularly in Ophthalmology. His senior capstone project focused on the development of an ophthalmic medical device giving him valuable experience in the field. Outside of work, Andrew loves the outdoors and enjoys hiking, and rock-climbing.
Controller
Sutee Pearce, BS
Sutee Pearce is a seasoned financial professional with over 15 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. As Controller at RetMap, Inc., he collaborates closely with senior management and oversees budgeting and financial reporting, leveraging his keen analytical skills and strategic mindset to navigate the company's financial operations. His prior roles as Controller at Ratio TX, Senior Accountant Manager at EyePoint, Inc., and Senior Accountant at Werewolf Tx have provided him with a deep understanding of financial management, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency. Sutee's success in these roles reflects his ability to contribute meaningfully to financial performance and support business growth. Sutee holds a Finance degree from Boston College.