My Story
A Life Dedicated to Science, Innovation, and Public Health
I was born in Kiev, in the former USSR, and at 14, my family moved to Israel. From a young age, I was drawn to science, but my path became clear after losing a dear friend to sarcoma at just 24 years old. His passing ignited a deep commitment in me—to dedicate my life to advancing research that could help cure cancer and infectious diseases.
I pursued a B.S. in Cell Biology and an M.S. in Biotechnology at Bar-Ilan University, and after graduation, I moved to New Jersey to embark on a career in clinical research and genomics. At Rutgers University, I joined a dynamic team collaborating with academia, pharmaceutical companies, and biotechnology clients. I quickly developed expertise in designing high-efficiency workflows, transforming manual processes into automated, high-throughput systems. Working with diverse teams of students, technicians, and Ph.D. colleagues, I gained a reputation for taking on the most complex and sophisticated projects—delivering results beyond expectations and always meeting deadlines.
A Call to Serve During the Pandemic
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, New Jersey urgently needed experts to help develop a reliable diagnostic test. Though I was raising two young children at the time, I knew I had the skills to contribute—yet I also understood the risks. While most of the world shut down, I was one of the few emergency personnel driving on New Jersey’s empty roads at any hour, committed to the mission.
I dedicated myself to developing and optimizing COVID-19 testing, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and scalability. I was among the first to master and operate critical testing instruments before software was available, manually analyzing results and designing workflows that eventually became the gold standard. Working 7 AM to 7 PM, seven days a week, I took every precaution to protect my family—avoiding eating at work, changing my entire outfit before entering my home, and staying vigilant against the unknown risks of the virus.
Under immense pressure, my team and I optimized testing processes to handle up to 50,000 samples per day, directly impacting public health during one of the most critical periods in modern history.
Building Princeton’s COVID-19 Clinical Lab from the Ground Up
Recognizing my expertise, Princeton University recruited me to establish a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory to bring students and faculty safely back to campus. I worked alone on-site, setting up instruments, computers, and workflows while most people were still working remotely.
With a severe shortage of lab technicians, I personally hired and trained a team of new graduates, working day and night to ensure seamless operations. In just two months, the lab achieved CLIA certification—a process that typically takes much longer. We built over 170 SOPs, implemented an inventory system, and ensured the continuous availability of critical supplies despite global shortages.
The work didn’t stop at certification. As positivity rates dropped, I pioneered pooled testing, reducing processing time and resource consumption by fourfold. Not a single incorrect result was ever released from the lab.
During inspections, officials called our lab "state-of-the-art" and an example for clinical laboratories nationwide. But beyond the science, I was not just a manager—I was a mentor, a problem-solver, and a motivator. I built a team rooted in compassion, resilience, and teamwork, ensuring that, even in the darkest times, we supported one another.
The Road Ahead
My journey—from a young scientist inspired by personal loss to a leader in clinical genomics—has been shaped by innovation, perseverance, and a deep sense of responsibility to public health. I thrive in fast-paced, high-impact environments where science meets real-world application, and I am passionate about using my expertise to advance personalized medicine, streamline laboratory automation, and develop cutting-edge diagnostic solutions.
No challenge is too great when science, teamwork, and purpose come together.