Spit It Out Avi Robbins

Dive into the compelling journey of Dr. Shyam Saladi, the visionary CEO, and Co-founder of Neelyx Labs, on the latest episode of the "Spit It Out" Podcast. From a young student to a leader in a trailblazing clinical laboratory, Shyam's dedication to community-driven solutions and ultra-low-cost diagnostics has propelled Neelyx Labs from a COVID-19 response initiative to a major force in healthcare innovation. Discover their recent breakthroughs, including pioneering COVID-19 variant tests and the first saliva-based antigen test in the U.S. Shyam discusses the critical role of saliva and Neelyx Labs' involvement during COVID-19, the Mpox outbreak, and STI epidemic, underscoring their commitment to innovation, patient, and public health empowerment. Tune in to gain deeper insights into research with a clinical perspective and the future of accessible healthcare.

In this episode, host Avi Robbins delves into the world of saliva diagnostics and precision health with Dr. Chamindie Punyadeera. Dr. Punyadeera, a distinguished innovator and advocate for women in STEM, shares her journey from industry to academia and discusses her pioneering work in cardiovascular diseases and cancer research using saliva as a diagnostic tool. Discover the groundbreaking projects that Dr. Punyadeera is leading, including the early detection of HPV-driven oropharyngeal cancers and the potential to eradicate HPV through immune system surveillance. Join us in this enlightening conversation as we explore the future of healthcare and the transformative power of saliva diagnostics.

In this episode, get ready to explore Dr. Alberi's remarkable journey and her unwavering commitment to scientific excellence, coupled with an entrepreneurial spirit and multidisciplinary expertise that position her as a prominent figure in the field of neuroscience. She shares her insights on her groundbreaking research in neurological disorders, sheds light on her startup, VitalizeDx and BrainFit4Life, a freelance venture aimed at fostering dialogue between experts and the public on brain health. Discover her tireless efforts in advancing dementia therapeutics and promoting brain health, making her an inspiring advocate and leader in her domain. Tune in to gain valuable wisdom and insights in the realm of neuroscience and personalized health and wellness.

In this episode of the Spit It Out Podcast, Rylie Tiffin, the Regional Testing Coordinator at Santiam Hospital, discusses her role in the Oregon Health Authority's grant to improve COVID testing accessibility for vulnerable populations. She discusses initiatives such as bringing wraparound services into laboratory testing and adjusting laboratory information system processes to fit the needs of the most vulnerable community members. She shares insights into the barriers faced during testing and the adoption of saliva as a sample type to meet community needs. Rylie presents innovative solutions, such as a vending machine approach, and the use of Labdash for efficient and accessible testing.

In this podcast episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Delphine Dean who is currently the Ron and Jane Lindsay Family Innovation Professor and Chair of Bioengineering at Clemson University. Dr. Dean shares her experiences and insights into her work in low-resource settings, including her collaborations with Tanzania and India to design accessible healthcare solutions. She also discusses her experience in setting up and running the COVID-19 testing lab at Clemson, and saliva diagnostics, highlighting the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to tackle problems in healthcare.

We hear from Kat Holloway and Dajana Domik of Tecan / IBL a leading manufacturer of liquid handling equipment and immunoassays. On this episode we discuss the benefits of saliva and why it's moving from a scientific sample type for research to a clinical sample used in mainstream testing. We cover testing from an Endocrinology focus on hormones and where IBL is focusing in this space.