Interview with Andrea Stephany
Andrea Stephany
NOVEMBER 13, 2024 | 00:37 | Episode 45
Revolutionizing Lung Cancer Testing: the Visionary Behind OnCoSwab
In this conversation, Andrea Stephany shares her journey from being recognized as one of the top 100 young scientists in Europe to co-founding OncoSwap, a startup focused on early lung cancer diagnostics. She discusses her multicultural background, the challenges of starting a business, and her vision for improving lung cancer detection. Andrea emphasizes the importance of grit, the need for more female role models in STEM, and her commitment to inspiring the next generation of women in science and entrepreneurship.
ABOUT MY GUEST
Andrea Stephany Díaz is a visionary entrepreneur and the Co-founder of OncoSwab. Selected as a top 100 young scientist in Europe, she stumbled upon a cancer screening idea that led her to start her first diagnostic company at the age of 24. Andrea pursued a Master’s degree in molecular biotechnology with a goal of making an impact in global health. Today, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the world, fueling Andrea's strategic vision for early detection with OncoSwab. Andrea brings a wealth of expertise and passion to these topics, making her an engaging and insightful guest for discussions on entrepreneurship, healthcare innovation, and the transformative potential of OncoSwab. Andrea is also committed to inspiring the next generation of young people, particularly women, in STEM through her YouTube channel, DNAndrea.
Summary
Andrea Stefani, co-founder of OnCoSwab, is revolutionizing lung cancer detection through innovative, non-invasive testing methods. With lung cancer being the leading cause of cancer death globally, Andrea's work aims to simplify and enhance early diagnosis, echoing the success factors of COVID testing. Her journey began at a young age, fueled by a vision to impact global health, and she has already made significant strides as a recognized scientist in Europe. Throughout the conversation, Andrea shares her experiences as a female entrepreneur in STEM, the challenges she faced, and her commitment to inspiring the next generation of women in science. Join Jothy Rosenberg as he delves into Andrea's inspiring story of grit, determination, and the pursuit of making a difference in the world of healthcare.
Takeaways
Andrea's multicultural background has shaped her perspective on life and business.
She was inspired to apply for the young scientist program after seeing an Instagram ad.
The idea for OncoSwap emerged from a hackathon focused on cancer diagnostics.
Early detection of lung cancer can significantly improve survival rates.
Andrea aims to destigmatize lung cancer, emphasizing that not all cases are related to smoking.
The startup is currently in the early stages of clinical trials for their nasal swab test.
Andrea believes in empowering young women to pursue careers in STEM fields.
She highlights the importance of science communication skills in her entrepreneurial journey.
The company is focused on maintaining a small, dedicated team to avoid distractions.
Andrea's grit comes from her experiences as a third culture kid and immigrant.
Sound Bites
"I was selected as in the top 100 young scientists."
"I want to make sure that it's like, or find out if it's viable."
"The survival rate for lung cancer is currently around 20%."
Links
Andrea’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreastephanydiaz/
Andrea’s OncoSwab site: https://oncoswab.com/
Please leave us a review: https://podchaser.com/DesigningSuccessfulStartups
Tech Startup Toolkit (book): https://www.manning.com/books/tech-startup-toolkit
Jothy’s website: https://jothyrosenberg.com
Who Says I Can’t Foundation: https://whosaysicant.org
Jothy’s TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNtOawXAx5A
Chapters
00:12 - Testing for Diseases: Insights from Andrea Stephany
00:37 - Journey into Cancer Diagnostics
00:00 - The Challenge of Lung Cancer Awareness
19:32 - Empowering the Next Generation of Women in STEM
21:41 - The Journey to Entrepreneurship and Role Models
26:50 - The Journey of Andrea’s Oncoswab
34:40 - The Journey of an Immigrant: Adapting to New Realities
