The Industry's Most Authoritative Voice on Far-UVC.

This mountain blue icon, symbolizing strength and purity in indoor air quality enhancement through Far-UVC technology.

Our Mission.

Our mission is to utilize Far-UVC technology to re-establish society’s comfort or confidence to collaborate, socialize, and live their lives in the most effective, meaningful, and fulfilling ways possible.

About Lit Thinking™.

Lit Thinking™ is a private technology firm that combines deep expertise in building technology and science, with a vision to make indoor environments safer for the world. We are inspired by “life” and are dedicated to enabling humans to interact more safely and effectively indoors.

Our core focus is the use of Ultraviolet-C (UVC) radiation to mitigate the risk of infection from airborne pathogens. While UVC is commonplace in food production, water purification and healthcare settings, a more specific wavelength, called Far-UVC, can be used very effectively in occupied spaces without harm to the human body. This promises to dramatically improve building health, reduce aerosolized pathogens, and transform the urban world we live in.

As evening sets in, a row of windows gives an inside look and mesmerizing glow across the clean, well-organized office spaces within. The ceiling lights are subtle and well-distributed, creating an even illumination that enhances the sense of cleanliness and professionalism.

The Lit Thinking™ Team.

With deep roots in real estate, business and building technology, our team makes Lit Thinking your trusted advisor and partner of choice.

Stephen M. Ross
Co-Founder
Matt Higgins
Co-Founder, Chairman
John Rajchert
Co-Founder, CEO
Dr. Leo Schowalter
Chief Technology Officer
Dr. Janet Price
Chief Science Officer
Adrian Armijo
Chief Product Officer
Rafael Lopez-Arce
Director, Engineering
Christina Flores
Director, Marketing & Communications
Rob Martynowski
Head of Operations
Wendy Walling
Director, Business Development - Healthcare
Josh Oelker
Director, Business Development - Commercial
Magali Santacruz
Office Administrator
Dr. Shashwat Rathkanthiwar
Director, MOCVD Research

Internships.

Lit Thinking also offers a variety of internship opportunities and is committed to providing meaningful projects and mentorship, ensuring that interns not only contribute to the team but also grow personally and professionally.
Juan C.
UCF Intern
"My experience as an intern at Lit Thinking™ has been outstanding. There has been an immense improvement in my leadership, hands-on, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Lit Thinking™ has helped me enhance my professional career as a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Central Florida by working through the Engineering design process to develop Visium 1™."
Braden C.
UCF Intern
"My experience at Lit Thinking™ has been very impactful towards my growth as an engineer. I started working here in the middle stage of the product development process and we now have a fully developed product that’s actively on the market. I have been able to work directly with the Director of Engineering, which has allowed me to understand what it means to be an engineer. As interns we get access to a broad range of engineering applications including mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing."

Why Lit Thinking™.

We are dedicated to providing cleaner and safer spaces for human interaction. We are accomplishing this by providing solutions, not products. Every space has its own requirements, which is why we have expertise in UVC, molecular biology, materials science, and semiconductor research.

More About Lit Thinking™.

Our co-founders have unsurpassed insights into the spaces within buildings and what is required to enhance interior air quality: Stephen M Ross, Founder and Chairman of the Related Companies, one of the world’s largest Real Estate companies; Matt Higgins, Co-founder, and Chairman of RSE Ventures, which enables and equips technology startups with insight and tools to be successful; John Rajchert, Co-founder, and CEO of Lit Thinking™, with 30 years of building technology leadership at Honeywell International.

Underpinned by engineering, science, and operational experts, plus the counsel of an industry Scientific Advisory Board, Lit Thinking™ is poised to become the leader in safe and healthy building technology.

Lit Thinking™ is not just committed to making clever UVC devices; we will also have the industry’s best software platform to connect, enable and inform. Importantly, we are enabling world leading semiconductor research, in collaboration with academic and industrial partners, to develop better, more efficient sources of Far-UVC light.

Our work will change the world.
Learn About

Visium™.

Visium™ safely inactivates aerosolized pathogens without chemicals. Automated air sanitization is now easy to install, track, and monitor.

Let's Talk the Future of Clean Tech.

Proud Partners with

Stephen M. Ross

Co-Founder
Stephen M. Ross is the Chairman and Founder of Related Companies, a global real estate and lifestyle company defined by innovation in all aspects of property development, design, service and wellness. The company has over $60 billion in assets owned or under development, including the neighborhood-defining Hudson Yards. The company was recently named one of the 50 Most Innovative Companies in the World by Fast Company Magazine. Mr. Ross is also an investor in Equinox® Fitness Clubs, Equinox Hotels and SoulCycle.

In 2012, Mr. Ross partnered with Matt Higgins to found RSE Ventures, a private investment firm that focuses on companies in sports and entertainment, media and marketing, food and lifestyle and technology. RSE has invested in and incubated a number of diverse businesses, some in partnership with entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk. Investments include Resy, David Chang’s Momofuku, Drone Racing League and &pizza. Mr. Ross is also the owner of the Miami Dolphins, a franchise that has become one of the most fan-friendly, and led the creation and launch of the International Champions Cup, a global pre-season soccer tournament that reached over 140 million viewers in 2017.

Mr. Ross serves on the Executive Committee and is a trustee of Lincoln Center, and is a trustee of New York – Presbyterian Hospital. He is a director on the board of the Jackie Robinson Foundation, the New York Stem Cell Foundation, Equinox Holdings, Inc., and The Shed and is chairperson emeritus of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), the city’s leading real estate trade association. Mr. Ross is also a director on the board of the World Resources Institute (WRI) and established the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, an innovative new initiative to integrate urban planning, sustainable transport, energy and climate change, water resources, and governance.

Mr. Ross graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Business Administration, from Wayne State University Law School with a Juris Doctor degree and from New York University School of Law with a Master of Laws in Taxation. In 2004, the University of Michigan renamed its business school the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, and in 2011 the University of Michigan awarded Mr. Ross an honorary degree, Doctor of Laws.

Matt Higgins

Matt Higgins is a noted serial entrepreneur and growth equity investor as Co-founder and CEO of private investment firm, RSE Ventures. He is also the host and an executive producer of a new CNBC TV series, “Business Hunters,” and is an Executive Fellow at the Harvard Business School where he co-teaches the course “Moving Beyond Direct-to-Consumer.” Mr. Higgins’ deep operating experience spans multiple industries over his 25-year career, which he draws upon to help founders navigate complex situations in order to reach their full potential.

Mr. Higgins began his career in public service as a journalist before becoming the youngest mayoral press secretary in New York City at 26, where he managed the global media response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He became one of the first employees – and ultimately Chief Operating Officer – of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, the federally funded government agency created to plan the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site. Mr. Higgins helped organize the largest international design competition in history culminating in Reflecting Absence, the September 11th National Memorial, and the development of the 1,776-feet-tall One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the northern hemisphere.

Higgins co-founded New York City-based RSE Ventures in 2012, amassing a multi-billion-dollar investment portfolio of leading brands across sports and entertainment, media and marketing, consumer and technology industries – including several of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies.

Mr. Higgins has also been a guest shark on Emmy award-winning TV show “Shark Tank” during seasons 10-11, and Harper Collins’ William Morrow imprint will release his book “Burn the Boats: Toss Plan B Overboard and Unleash Your Full Potential” in 2023. In 2019, he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, joining the ranks of seven former U.S. presidents, Nobel Prize winners and other leaders for work to improve society. He is also a longstanding board member of Autism Speaks. Mr. Higgins received his Bachelor of Arts in political science and honorary doctorate from Queens College and his J.D. from Fordham Law, where he was a member of the Fordham Law Review.

John Rajchert

Co-Founder, CEO
John Rajchert has spent the majority of his career in Building Technology. A 30-year veteran of Honeywell international, John was President of Honeywell’s US$2.5 Billion Building Solutions (HBS) business from 2014 to 2019. John also served as Vice President, Asia Pacific, and Vice-President Marketing and Strategy.

John has extensive experience in the needs of buildings and infrastructure, particularly for organizations with complex needs, such as government, defense, hospitals, airports, commercial buildings, and social infrastructure. He was pivotal in the launch of Honeywell’s Intelligent Connected Buildings initiative, and the Internet-of-Things for buildings.

In 2019, John was recruited to the UK to lead OCS Group Limited, a multinational FM company. John relocated back to the USA at the onset of the COVID pandemic and in late 2021, he was appointed CEO of Healthe Inc, a UVC and Circadian technology company, where he gained insight into the science and market environment for UVC and Far-UVC technology.

Prior to joining Honeywell, John was a British Merchant Navy Officer and travelled extensively in Europe, Asia Pacific, and North America. He completed his studies in Electrical Engineering in Australia under a traineeship scheme with Sydney’s Electrical Utility Company. He is an associate member of the Institution of Engineers, Australia.

Dr. Leo Schowalter

Chief Technology Officer
Dr. Schowalter oversees all aspects of our semiconductor research program, which is a core initiative for Lit Thinking. Together with the University of Central Florida where Dr. Schowalter has been appointed as a Research Professor, Lit Thinking is setting up a Center for Research into high aluminum content alloys of nitride semiconductors for far UVC emitter and high-power applications.

After receiving his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign), Dr. Schowalter was employed by the GE Global Research Center in Schenectady, NY. He joined the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Physics Department in 1987 and was Department Chair from 1997 to 2000.

In 1997, he co-founded Crystal IS (with Dr. Glen Slack), where he led the commercial development of UVC LEDs (based on AlN substrates also developed at Crystal IS) for disinfection and instrumentation applications and is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Asahi Kasei. Dr. Schowalter was the Asahi Kasei Designated Professor at Nagoya University, Japan from 2019 until 2023 where he helped develop the world’s first UVC laser diode and he continues his collaboration at Nagoya as a Visiting Professor working on laser diodes and other device applications using aluminum nitride substrates. Dr. Schowalter is a global leader in his field and is ideally qualified for his critical role at Lit Thinking.

Dr. Janet Price

Chief Science Officer
Dr. Janet Price is an accomplished scientist directing R & D in the tech start-up space. With 11 years of research experience, two of which were spent overseeing cutting-edge UV research, she understands the rigor and strict requirements for FDA filings and government funding sources. Dr. Price merges research insight with Lit Thinking’s design team to create streamlined room and building health solutions. She aims to establish a respected reputation for the safety, efficacy, and excellence of all products to secure Lit Thinking’s thought leader position.

Dr. Price received her Doctorate in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the University of Michigan, where she specialized in microbiology. Spanning three separate collaborations, her dissertation research earned her recognition as a Rackham Predoctoral Fellow. Dr. Price is an accomplished science advocate with experience speaking to broad audiences; from invited lectures for specialists to hands-on presentations for inquisitive young minds.

Outside of Lit Thinking™, Dr. Price is active in the Ann Arbor, MI biotech community and mentors fledgling start-ups through the OptiMize program. Advocating for students transitioning to the private sector, she is a member of the College of Science Engineering Advisory Board for Central Michigan University, her undergraduate alma mater.

Adrian Armijo

Chief Product Officer
Adrian is an Engineering and Technology Leader with extensive experience in the design, development, and commercialization of innovative products for a variety of industries, including UV disinfection systems and industrial LED lighting. At Lit Thinking, Adrian is responsible for shaping the strategic vision and course of action for product development, fostering business expansion, and guiding the overarching technology strategy. Most recently, as Vice President of Engineering at PURO Lighting, Adrian built and directed an engineering team, leading all new product development, regulatory filings, and research & development initiatives for innovative UV disinfection systems and controls for whole-room and HVAC applications. He has experience with several UV technologies including broadband pulsed Xenon, mercury vapor lamps, UV-LEDs and KrCl excimer lamps.

Prior to his work at PURO Lighting, Adrian worked at GE Lighting (now known as Current Lighting) as a Lead Mechanical Engineer, where he designed and prototyped innovative LED lighting solutions and systems for industrial applications including hazardous rated and heavy industrial environments. As the Rapid Response Leader at Current Lighting, Adrian worked directly with product managers and strategic customers to develop optimized solutions for unique lighting and budgetary requirements. He has also had engineering positions in the oil & gas, industrial fastener, and automotive electronics industries. Adrian has attained both a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma.

Rafael Lopez-Arce

Director of Engineering
Rafael Lopez-Arce has over 10 years of cutting-edge experience in the highly competitive automotive technology industry. His global background, credentials and multinational experience enable his strong network in the global supply chain manufacturing environment.

Rafael possesses hands-on expertise on lighting, prototyping, production engineering, cost optimization, photometrics lab, warranty and manufacturing specification. Upstream and downstream value chain optimization are also part of his core abilities. Rafael’s passion into new technologies for virus, bacteria and other pathogens inactivation rates and experimentation was heightened during the on-start of the pandemic days where he spent majority of his time finding new ways to optimize the use of existing and available technologies.

Mr. Lopez-Arce experience includes Methode Electronics, an automotive technology supplier, where he was the Advanced Engineering Mechanical Expert, managing overall mechanical design and tooling quote for the company and main liaison with key customers. Prior to this, Rafael was the Team Lead Engineering & Optical Expert at Eypex Corp, another automotive technology supplier, where he was the main face of the customer, he oversaw design and development, he also managed the photometrics lab, optical design, manufacturing engineer and overall testing and validation. He co-developed and oversaw product development and testing in Far UVC devices within automotive and commercial environments.

He has been part of global teams and projects in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. While he was at Calsonic Kansei, he was the Team leader of MTCR Total Cost Reduction and warranty in Japan and North America. At Preh Inc he was the engineering leader of a global program between Germany and The United States. During his time at Methode, he helped foster communication between key customer, the leader in EV vehicle market, and the executive team in Mexico.

He completed his MBA studies at the University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business. He holds a B.Sc. in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering from Monterrey Institute of Technology, Mexico, and Karlsruhe University, Germany.

Christina Flores

Director, Marketing & Communications
Christina Flores joins the Lit Thinking™ team as a seasoned marketing executive offering 20+ years of extensive experience encompassing core competencies in marketing, branding, communications, and product development at medium to large B2B and B2C companies.

Most recently, Christina oversaw Marketing and Communications for Clean the World, a social enterprise committed to saving millions of lives around the world through soap recycling programs and hygiene education. Christina led the development of their global marketing initiatives and communications strategies to advance their position in the industry, drive brand awareness, increase donor support for the organization and its programs, and ultimately deliver the best possible experience for their customers.

While at Clean the World, Christina managed all public relations and coordinated appearances on Mike Rowe’s “Dirty Jobs” and “The Kelly Clarkson Show”, where she personally represented Clean the World live with Kelly Clarkson. She also secured features in The New York Times, The Weather Channel, Business Insider, Tech Insider, Reader’s Digest, Attn: Video, and more.

Christina’s experience includes public relations, communications, branding, omnichannel marketing, strategic planning, organizational development, field & corporate training, and project management. Ms. Flores completed her studies at Rollins College, in Orlando, Florida, with a degree in International Business.

Rob Martynowski

Head of Operations
Rob is a seasoned veteran of the electrical and lighting industry, with a deep understanding of manufacturing, channel management, sales operations, customer and technical support, and project management.

Rob had a 15-year career at Philip McCully & Associates and oversaw Quotations and Operations for large agency sales. He joined the Lighting Science Group in Satellite Beach, Florida in 2011 where he continued to head up Quotations and Project Management as well as managing Customer Service, Technical Support Services and Warranty Services. In 2014, Rob joined Security Lighting (a division of Hubbell Lighting) in Rolling Meadows, Illinois where he managed all inside Operations, Customer Service, Warranty Services, Quotations, and Photometric Services. In 2018 Rob returned to Florida with Healthe Inc, where he continued his career as Head of Operations in charge of all inside sales operations, facilities and purchasing.

In 2022, Rob was recruited to leadership team of Lit Thinking™ as Head of Operations, where he oversees all operational activity.

Wendy Walling

Director, Business Development - Healthcare

Wendy Walling joins the Lit Thinking team as a seasoned sales, marketing and business development professional with over 20 years’ experience that includes an invaluable background in Germicidal Ultraviolet (GUV) technologies for Healthcare applications. Her diverse background includes the development and launch of antimicrobial textiles under the trademark license of the Clorox Professional Products Group and a 12-year career as a Marketing and Communications leader with Cox Target Media, a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises.

 

In her most recent role as Global Director of Marketing at Intellego Technologies AB, Sweden, Wendy designed and built from the ground-up the company’s primary brand and business unit, UVC Dosimeters. She successfully expanded the company’s product portfolio of photochromic dose indicators for measurement of ultraviolet energy for 254 nm, 260-280 nm and 222 nm, and directly managed the company’s private-label business for customers in the US, Korea, Greece, South Africa, Colombia, Peru and the UK. In addition to developing UV auditing protocols for the largest healthcare system in the US, Wendy served as the host of Intellego’s thought-leadership video and podcast series, Making the Invisible VISIBLE, available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

 

Wendy’s passion for the promotion and adoption of GUV technologies has garnered the attention and respect from peers at the International Ultraviolet Association where she is an active member of its Healthcare Task Force and GUV working groups. She has served as a member of the Global Biorisk Advisory Council, a Division of ISSA and a contributor to the 2022 GBAC Validation & Auditing Technology Guide.

Josh Oelker

Director, Business Development - Commercial

Josh Oelker joins the Lit Thinking team as an accomplished sales and business development leader with over 15 years’ experience that includes nearly a decade of invaluable involvement in Germicidal Ultraviolet (GUV) solutions for a multitude of applications. His background involves building relationships and fostering revenue within many areas, such as Commercial buildings, HVAC, Healthcare, Education and Food processing, as well as with many channels, segments, and partnerships. In addition, Josh has worked with different types of GUV technologies, including Far UV, LED UV, Xenon pulse and PCO. 

Josh started his career in GUV at Steril-Aire, where he rose from a Regional Sales Manager to a National Sales Manager, responsible for the overall revenue of a 30-year-old UVC/IAQ company. During his time there, he created, developed and launched an IoT UVC Sensor and monitoring platform with a cloud-based dashboard that allows continual awareness and efficacy. He also co-authored white papers on UVGI efficacy for disinfection and UVC for Energy Savings/Sustainability. 

In his most recent role as Director of Business Development- HVAC at PURO, Josh established an HVAC distribution network for new and future products from scratch. He collaborated on expanding the company’s product portfolio of UVC HVAC options and gained invaluable experience with other UVC and IAQ technologies. 

Josh’s passion for GUV has led him to explore the diverse benefits of UV disinfection in partnership with the USDA, the University of Minnesota and international biosecurity researchers. As an Associate ASHRAE member and an industry-expert, Josh has given numerous PDH accredited presentations on the efficacy and application of GUV for safer, healthier and more efficient buildings. 

Magali Santacruz is Office Administrator for Lit Thinking.

Magali Santacruz

Office Administrator
Magali joins the Lit Thinking team with over 15 years of experience as an Executive Assistant and Office Administration.

Most recently, Magali provided support to C-level Health care executives in the New York City Financial District. She successfully supported the CEO, EVP, and COO of Emblem Health, remotely for the past 4 years. Her former role allowed her to move from New York to the Orlando area where she now resides with her three children.

Prior to her career in Office administration, Magali worked in the design industry for 8 years, specifically in textiles, children’s wear, packaging and finished goods. As fate will have it, she made a career switch which landed her in the Healthcare business performing secretarial duties. Her knowledge, experience and skills amplified and was shortly promoted to Executive Assistant to senior leadership and honorable members of the board.

Magali brings to us a wealth of experience and knowledge with C-Level communications and relationships. An expert with managing travel, scheduling, documenting, document control, and presentation preparation, Magali’s organizational skills and professionalism are a tremendous asset as we grow at Lit Thinking.

Magali completed her studies at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, with a Bachelor’s degree in Design & Applied Arts.

Dr. Shashwat Rathkanthiwar

Director, MOCVD Research
Dr. Shashwat Rathkanthiwar is a seasoned material scientist and prolific researcher with over a decade of expertise in III-nitride semiconductors. His groundbreaking approach integrates semiconductor materials science, physics and electronics, envisioning revolutionary advancements in electronic, optical, quantum, and critical device technologies. Dr. Rathkanthiwar will spearhead the research on Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) of ultrawide bandgap nitride semiconductors, enabling far-ultraviolet optoelectronics and kV-class power electronics. 
 
Dr. Rathkanthiwar earned his undergraduate degree in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur, India, shifting gears to Nano Science and Engineering for his doctorate at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, where his thesis focused on III-nitride ultraviolet photodetectors. His postdoctoral tenure at North Carolina State University’s WideBandgaps Laboratory honed his expertise in epitaxially grown nitride semiconductors on native substrates, addressing doping, point defect management, and strain relaxation. 
 
With 31 journal publications, 80 international conference presentations, 1 patent, and over 15 invited talks, Dr. Rathkanthiwar’s contributions have garnered Editor’s Pick selections in Applied Physics Letters, alongside numerous awards and recognitions for research excellence, including Best Oral and Poster Presentations. Dr. Rathkanthiwar serves as an independent reviewer for 14 major journals and also chairs technical sessions at esteemed conferences such as American Conference on Crystal Growth and Epitaxy, Compound Semiconductor Week, Electronic Materials Conference, and Materials Research Society Meeting.

Juan C.

UCF Intern

My experience as an intern at Lit Thinking™ has been outstanding. There has been an immense improvement in my leadership, hands-on, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Lit Thinking™ has helped me enhance my professional career as a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Central Florida by working through the Engineering design process to develop Visium 1™

Braden C.

UCF Intern

My experience at Lit Thinking has been very impactful towards my growth as an engineer. I started working here in the middle stage of the product development process and we now have a fully developed product that’s actively on the market. I have been able to work directly with the Director of Engineering, which has allowed me to understand what it means to be an engineer. As interns we get access to a broad range of engineering applications including mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing.

Juan

“My experience as an intern at Lit Thinking has been outstanding. There has been an immense improvement in my leadership, hands-on, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Lit Thinking has helped me enhance my professional career as a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Central Florida by working through the Engineering design process to assist with developing Visium.”

Juan C.
University of Central Florida

Braden

“My experience at Lit Thinking has been very impactful towards my growth as an engineer. I started working here in the middle stage of the product development process and we now have a fully developed product that’s actively on the market. I have been able to work directly with the Director of Engineering, which has allowed me to understand what it means to be an engineer. As interns we get access to a broad range of engineering applications including mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing.”

Braden C.
University of Central Florida

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