Our Team
Leadership
JW Biava
CEO & President, CitriSafe, LLC | Founder, ImmunoLytics & BioBalance
JW Biava is the CEO and President of CitriSafe, LLC, and the founder of ImmunoLytics and BioBalance.
Having investigated hundreds of indoor environments for medically sensitive patients over his 30-year career, JW brings firsthand expertise to every aspect of CitriSafe’s environmental health mission. As a chemical engineer specializing in environmental analysis, he has witnessed the transformative impact that proper environmental testing and remediation can have on patients suffering from chronic illness.
In 2006, JW founded ImmunoLytics to provide laboratory analysis for mold exposure, developing an at-home testing program that empowers physicians and patients to identify environmental triggers of chronic illness.
In 2011, he founded BioBalance to create non-toxic, botanical-based remediation solutions.
In 2018, JW acquired PharmaSource Inc. (originally founded by Walter Hayhurst in 2004) and rebranded it as CitriSafe, LLC, continuing Walter’s legacy of botanical-based solutions for mold-related health recovery.
JW serves as Board Member and Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP) Committee Member for the International Society of Environmentally Acquired Illness (ISEAI).
He is a recognized authority in the field, presenting at:
- ISEAI Conferences (2022 – 2025) on environmental testing protocols for medically sensitive patients
- Toxic Mold Masterclass (2022) on at-home mold testing methodologies
- Candida Summit (2020) on mold-illness connections
- Academy of Comprehensive Integrative Medicine (ACIM).
His expertise has been featured on health podcasts including:
- The Better Health Guy
- Evan Brand
- The Holistic Hub
- The Superhuman
- Evingson Wellness Podcast
- BetterHealthGuy
- Beyond Wellness Radio
At CitriSafe, JW oversees environmental testing content, remediation protocol guidance, and indoor air quality resources published on CitriSafe.com.
Credentials:
- B.S. Chemical Engineering (Environmental Emphasis, Cum Laude) Oklahoma State University
- Certified Mold Inspector (CMI)
- Certified Mold Remediation Contractor (CMRC)
- Certified Radiation Safety Officer
- Certified Asbestos Inspector
- Certified Lead Renovator
- Certified HAZWOPER Manager
- Certified Radioactive Materials Shipper
- Certified Class 1 Thermographer
- ISEAI Board Member
Expertise Areas:
- Environmental testing and analysis (mold, VOCs, heavy metals, asbestos)
- Indoor air quality investigation for medically sensitive patients
- Remediation protocol development
- Laboratory information management systems
- Physician consulting on environmental factors in chronic illness.
Walter Hayhurst, R.Ph. (Registered Pharmacist)
Founder & Senior Advisor, CitriSafe
Walter Hayhurst is a Registered Pharmacist (R.Ph.) and the founder of CitriSafe (originally PharmaSource Inc., founded in 2004), bringing over four decades of pharmaceutical formulation expertise to botanical-based solutions for mold exposure.
Walter’s work in environmental health stems from personal experience. In 1994, after a successful career founding and building the Professional Compounding Centers of America (PCCA) to over 4,000 member pharmacists, Walter was diagnosed with a debilitating environmental illness. Discovering he had a genetic predisposition to mold sensitivity, he applied his pharmaceutical expertise to finding solutions, testing thousands of formulations using citrus seed extracts and collaborating with compound pharmacists nationwide to develop safe, effective botanical treatments.
Walter founded PCCA in 1981, developing more than 9,500 proprietary pharmaceutical formulations before retiring in 1992 to pursue cancer research. His decade-long personal journey with mold illness led to the founding of PharmaSource Inc. in 2004 (later rebranded as CitriSafe in 2018 under JW Biava’s leadership).
Walter developed CitriSafe’s proprietary citrus seed extract formulations and the Acetyl Glutathione supplement line that forms the core of the company’s health support products. His formulations use pharmaceutical-grade ingredients sourced from Italy and Switzerland, manufactured using current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). As Senior Advisor, Walter continues to guide research, patient engagement, and new product formulations and reviews and advises on product formulation content and supplement information published by CitriSafe.
Credentials:
- Registered Pharmacist (R.Ph.)
- Founder, Professional Compounding Centers of America (PCCA)
- Developer of 9,500+ pharmaceutical formulations
- 40+ years pharmaceutical formulation experience
Expertise Areas:
- Pharmaceutical compounding and formulation
- Botanical extract development
- Citrus seed extract applications
- Supplement formulation
- Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP)
Medical Advisory Board
Larry D. Empting, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer, CitriSafe
Dr. Larry D. Empting is the Chief Medical Officer of CitriSafe and a neurologist and psychiatrist with dual residency training from Johns Hopkins Hospital and over 15 years of involvement with the company.
With direct clinical experience evaluating and treating hundreds of patients presenting with neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms linked to mold and mycotoxin exposure, Dr. Empting brings rare dual-specialty expertise to understanding the complex manifestations of environmental illness. His clinical practice integrates neurological assessment with environmental exposure analysis, helping patients connect their symptoms to underlying environmental causes.
Dr. Empting completed his undergraduate studies at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, earning degrees in Biology and Psychology with minors in Chemistry and Speech/Communication. Prior to medical school, he worked as Research Assistant to the Chairman of Psychiatry at University of North Dakota, where he participated in the Studies of Aging and Dementia (SOAAD), researching Alzheimer’s disease from clinical presentation to brain neuropathology. He received his M.D. from the University of Minnesota School of Medicine and completed an internship at the University of North Dakota, Department of Psychiatry.
His advanced training includes dual residency in Psychiatry and Neurology at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, where he was subsequently invited to join the full-time Neurology faculty. At Johns Hopkins, Dr. Empting served as Coordinating Medical Director of the Pain Treatment Center.
Dr. Empting’s focus on environmental medicine began in Atlanta while practicing alongside Dr. Don Dennis, a Johns Hopkins-trained ENT specializing in chronic mold sinusitis and systemic fungal syndrome. This collaboration, combined with his peer-reviewed publication “Neurologic and Neuropsychiatric Syndrome Features of Mold and Mycotoxin Exposure” in Toxicology and Industrial Health, established him as a leading expert in the neurological effects of environmental exposures.
As CMO, Dr. Empting integrates classical, functional, integrative, and environmental medicine approaches to help CitriSafe develop comprehensive solutions for patients affected by mold and mycotoxin disorders. He reviews all health and wellness content published by CitriSafe to ensure scientific accuracy and serves as medical advisor for product development and patient protocols.
Credentials:
- M.D., University of Minnesota School of Medicine
- Dual Residency (Psychiatry and Neurology), Johns Hopkins Hospital
- Former Faculty, Johns Hopkins Neurology
Publications:
- Published: “Neurologic and Neuropsychiatric Syndrome Features of Mold and Mycotoxin Exposure,” Toxicology and Industrial Health. 2009;25(9-10):577-81. doi: 10.1177/0748233709348393. (PubMed | Sage Journals | ResearchGate)
Expertise Areas:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Neurological effects of mold and mycotoxin exposure
- Environmental medicine
- Chronic pain management
- Dementia research
Dr. Benjamin Gonzalez, PT, DPT
Medical Advisory Board Member, CitriSafe | Owner, BG Physical Therapy
Dr. Benjamin Gonzalez is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who serves on CitriSafe’s Medical Advisory Board, specializing in physical rehabilitation.
Working directly with patients recovering from mold exposure, Dr. Gonzalez addresses the musculoskeletal and neurological effects that often accompany prolonged environmental illness, including chronic fatigue, muscle weakness, balance impairments, and reduced functional mobility. His rehabilitation approach helps patients rebuild strength and function as they recover.
Dr. Gonzalez earned his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology (Magna Cum Laude, Dean’s List 2011 – 2014) from The Master’s University in Santa Clarita, California, and his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of New Mexico in 2017. He brings extensive experience across outpatient orthopedics and home health settings.
In 2024, Dr. Gonzalez founded BG Physical Therapy, a private concierge practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico, providing individualized, one-on-one care with emphasis on evidence-based manual therapy, therapeutic interventions, and patient education for long-term mobility and injury prevention. His clinical expertise includes balance and fall prevention, spine safety, post-surgical rehabilitation, and neurological rehabilitation.
Dr. Gonzalez is responsible for reviewing rehabilitation and physical function content published by CitriSafe, ensuring alignment with evidence-based practice for this patient population.
Credentials:
- DPT
- University of New Mexico
- B.S. Kinesiology (Magna Cum Laude)
- The Master’s University
- Licensed Physical Therapist
- Member, Executive Association of Greater Albuquerque (2025–Present)
Expertise Areas:
- Physical rehabilitation for environmental illness recovery
- Musculoskeletal rehabilitation
- Neurological rehabilitation
- Balance and fall prevention
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
Content Contributors
Cesar Collado
Director of Educational Content, CitriSafe | CEO & Founder, Sickhouses
Cesar Collado is the Director of Educational Content at CitriSafe and the founder and CEO of Sickhouses, an educational platform dedicated to helping individuals and families affected by mold and water-damaged buildings navigate their recovery.
Drawing on extensive collaboration with integrative physicians, Bau-Biologists, environmental inspectors, mold remediators, and HVAC specialists, Cesar developed comprehensive educational resources grounded in both scientific research and practical experience with water-damaged buildings.
Cesar holds a BBA from the University of New Mexico and an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. His career in pharmaceutical R&D, biotechnology, and healthcare technology provides the analytical foundation for translating complex environmental health science into accessible patient guidance.
Cesar is responsible for researching, developing, and managing CitriSafe’s educational resources, including articles, guides, and patient-facing content published on CitriSafe.com.
Credentials:
- MBA, Duke University Fuqua School of Business
- BBA, University of New Mexico
- Experience in pharmaceutical R&D, biotechnology, and healthcare technology
Expertise Areas:
- Environmental health education
- Mold illness awareness
- Water-damaged building science
- Patient and practitioner resources
This page lists CitriSafe’s leadership, medical advisory board, and content contributors responsible for the development, review, and approval of published content. It does not represent CitriSafe’s complete organizational staff.