Verdia Diagnostics is an NC State spinout startup developing real-time plant health monitoring tools to help growers revolutionize disease management strategy and outcomes.
We’re building sensor technologies that empower farmers with actionable insights to protect crop yields, reduce chemical use, and improve sustainability.
Team
Zach Hetzler, Ph.D.
Zach Hetzler is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Verdia Diagnostics. Zach earned his PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at NC State University where he led development of field-portable diagnostic devices. Zach has worked closely with growers since 2020 to better understand their challenges, and brings experience in point-of-care diagnostics, sensor engineering, and user-centered technology development.
Qingshan Wei, Ph.D.
Qingshan Wei is a co-founder and technical advisor of Verdia Diagnostics. He is also a University Faculty Scholar and Associate Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at NC State University. His research group focuses on constructing field-deployable tools for plant and human health for rapid detection, monitoring, and disease management.
Yong Zhu, Ph.D.
Yong Zhu is a co-founder and technical advisor of Verdia Diagnostics. He is a Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at NC State University. He leads a lab that focuses on development of flexible and wearable devices with integrated nanomaterial sensors.
Alper Bozkurt, Ph.D.
Alper Bozkurt is a technical advisor for Verdia Diagnostics and is a Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering at NC State University. His interdisciplinary lab uses microelectronics and robotics principles to develop wearable biomedical systems for a broad range of biomedical applications.