Q) Tell me about your background and what inspired you.
I was born in Syria and later moved to the United States. Trained as a chemical engineer, I have dedicated the past two decades to developing biomarkers for cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. My interest in this field was ignited by my father's diagnosis and subsequent demise due to late-stage colon cancer. Witnessing his rapid decline within a span of days left me feeling helpless, unable to intervene and save him. Motivated by this personal tragedy, I sought to leverage my engineering expertise to prevent others from enduring a similar fate. I firmly believe that early detection tests can be the crucial distinction between life and death. My determination to make a difference in the lives of individuals facing similar hardships continues to inspire my work, driving me to innovate and push the boundaries of cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
Q) Tell me about your path to get where you are today.
My professional journey in the US began with my employment at Epitomics during my academic years. I was introduced to this opportunity through a professor who recognized my academic achievements. Epitomics was at the forefront of developing monoclonal rabbit antibodies using hybridoma technology. However, the method had its challenges, often leading to clone loss.
Following this experience, I joined Mariposa's scientific team to advance antibody development by implementing innovative engineering techniques and automation. After Mariposa was acquired by Roche, I continued my employment and provided support to the team for a while, before cofounding Calico. At Calico, our focus was on innovating technologies, particularly those that streamlined antibody gene isolation directly from blood. Developing antibodies through recombinant cloning offers a range of benefits, including customization and consistency, making it a valuable approach for antibody generation and applications in research, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
The founding vision of Calico was shaped by a personal mission to drive advancements in diagnostics, leading us to achieve groundbreaking results.
Subsequently, Calico was acquired by Abcam, where I assumed leadership roles in various departments, gaining valuable experience in disease diagnostic tools, as well as gene editing. This experience emphasized the importance of early detection and the critical role of innovative technologies in potentially saving lives.
Despite my success with Abcam, I felt compelled to seek fulfillment through volunteer work. As part of this endeavor, I spearheaded the diagnostic committee at the American Association for Precision Medicine, focusing on addressing the testing shortage and finding a cure for COVID-19. This experience eventually led to the formation of RamanID, in collaboration with two scientific partners. Our mission at RamanID is to advance the field of diagnostics and make a meaningful contribution to healthcare using cutting-edge technology.
Q) Tell me about the technology. What does it do?
We've pioneered a cutting-edge diagnostic platform that seamlessly integrates Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) technology with the power of artificial intelligence (AI). This combination enables highly sensitive and specific detection of molecular substances, allowing rapid and accurate identification of targets, from harmful bacteria in food to disease biomarkers. When a sample is placed on the SERS substrate, the molecules interact with the surface, leading to enhanced Raman scattering, generating a unique spectral fingerprint for identification and quantification of substances. The key advantage of SERS lies in its exceptional sensitivity, enabling the detection of molecular changes at low concentrations, facilitating rapid and accurate identification of harmful substances in food and disease biomarkers in clinical samples. Our platform offers rapid analysis, minimizes sample volumes, and provides reliable results. It swiftly identifies harmful bacteria, detects chemicals or drugs instantaneously in various contexts, and aims to deliver precise, cost-effective, and non-invasive tests for a wide range of ailments, revolutionizing healthcare, and testing industry. Its accessibility and cost-effectiveness make it a vital tool where access to a traditional laboratory is limited, playing a crucial role in preventing outbreaks and addressing public health emergencies effectively.
Q) You took a bet on the Raman ID technology because you really believed in it. Tell me about that.
This technology holds the potential to revolutionize various sectors, particularly healthcare. The demand for an ultra-sensitive, multiplex platform for early detection has been evident. It is the sole solution to numerous limitations in medical diagnostics, food testing, environmental testing, and beyond. We are confident in our capability to usher in the next generation of diagnostics. I am convinced that this technology will not only revolutionize personalized medicine and precision agriculture, but also has the potential to make a significant global impact by harnessing the power of AI and surface enhanced technology. We are poised to become the standard of care in personalized medicine.
Q) Why is there such an issue with early detection?
The issue with early detection lies in the limited accessibility and awareness surrounding screenings. Enabling user access is crucial in empowering and educating patients to take control of their health and undergo early screening. Accessibility is paramount, whether it's through a doctor's visit or a simple blood and urine sample collection. These straightforward tests require only a minimal sample, yet they can provide a comprehensive view of the patient's disease profile in a single visit, potentially saving a person's life.
Furthermore, our Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) technology is perfect for early detection due to its high sensitivity and specificity. SERS allows for the detection of molecular changes at incredibly low concentrations, making it a powerful tool for identifying early-stage disease markers. Its capability to analyze small sample volumes with exceptional accuracy positions SERS as an ideal solution for early detection, especially in cases where conventional screening methods may fall short. Emphasizing the effectiveness of SERS in detecting subtle molecular alterations and disease biomarkers will play a pivotal role in advocating for its integration and widespread adoption in early screening efforts.
Q) Did you find any barriers being a woman trying to be a leader in Silicon Valley?
Navigating the path to leadership in Silicon Valley as a woman has been undeniably challenging. Forbes' study reveals that there are more CEOs named John or David than there are female CEOs at the helm, with a mere 6.4% representation of women in this role. However, despite these barriers, I was fortunate to receive the necessary support. Exceptional mentors and collaborative opportunities with women dedicated to uplifting and supporting each other have played a crucial role in my journey. I recognize that many individuals do not have access to such opportunities, highlighting the substantial work that needs to be done to achieve equity in this realm, particularly within healthcare, where female leadership is imperative.
