Revolutionizing Lung Cancer Testing: Meet Andrea Stefani, the Visionary Behind OnCoSwab

Designing Successful Startups

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.

Andrea's Bio

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.

Takeaways

• Andrea Stephany emphasizes the importance of early lung cancer detection for improving survival rates.
• The idea for OnCoSwab originated during a hackathon focused on cancer solutions.
• Andrea's diverse background and experiences shaped her entrepreneurial journey and resilience.
• She aims to destigmatize lung cancer, which is often associated with smoking-related shame.
• The company focuses on non-invasive testing methods, making lung cancer screening more accessible.
• Stephany's YouTube channel helped her develop essential science communication skills for her startup.

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/

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Tech Startup Toolkit (book): https://www.amazon.com/Tech-Startup-Toolkit-launch-strong/dp/1633438422/

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:51 Recognition as a Young Scientist

06:11 Startup Journey and Lung Cancer Diagnostics

11:47 Understanding Lung Cancer and Its Causes

15:12 The Vision for OncoSwap

18:57 Navigating FDA Approval and Clinical Trials

20:47 Empowering the Next Generation of Women in STEM

25:02 The Role of Grit in Entrepreneurship

39:13 Conclusion and Call to Action