SDI 2025
CONFERENCE SESSIONS
ON DEMAND
Our team is on a mission to provide affordable and equitable infectious disease testing to communities and labs worldwide.
A clinical laboratory interested in receiving SalivaDirect™ designation as an authorized laboratory under the EUA 202097 must meet the following criteria:
The SalivaDirect protocol has made a massive impact over the past three years of the COVID-19 pandemic response. Since the last convening of our collaborators, SalivaDirect has spun out of the Yale School of Public Health into an independent non-profit. We are calling on our extensive network of collaborators – laboratories, researchers, practitioners, and others to help chart a course for the future of our collaborations in an exciting new era of independence.
On June 5th-7th, we will meet in Washington, DC, to highlight the successes, partnerships, and advances we have made through our collective pandemic response and how we have applied this new knowledge to other disease areas. This three-day event will include talks and panels featuring our laboratory network and leaders in the diagnostic world, provide opportunities for networking and collaboration, and includes an interactive brain-storm session discussing the future of SalivaDirect Inc’s work.
Conference attendees are eligible to earn P.A.C.E. continuing education credits. SalivaDirect Inc is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E. ® Program.
Conference Agenda
3:00 PM
Session 1
Welcome from SalivaDirect Inc, opening remarks SDI Updates
Speaker: Yasmine Ali
Professional affiliation: Executive Director, SalivaDirect Inc.
Welcome to SDI’s on-demand library of recorded sessions from our 2025 Annual Conference. This curated collection offers you the opportunity to explore presentations from global experts—whether you’re viewing them for the first time or revisiting for a refresher.
Unlock 8 hours of P.A.C.E.® continuing education credits for just $20! By enrolling in our SDI 2025 Conference Course, you will gain full access to recorded sessions, speaker interviews, contact information, and more. This opportunity allows you to enhance your professional development and expand your network at your convenience. Don’t miss out on the chance to elevate your skills while earning valuable credits! Register below to get started today.
SalivaDirect, Inc., is an approved provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E. ® Program.
Session Library
Session 1: The Opportunity for Salivary Diagnostics
Check out presentations from David Vigerust, PhD, MS, Robinson Sabino-Silva, PhD, MS, and Eric Chow, PhD, as they illustrate the innovative potential of salivary diagnostics in advancing healthcare, from preventive measures to understanding disease transmission.
Session 2: Innovations in Salivary and Oral Diagnostics
In this captivating session, hear from Aaron Palmon, DMD, PhD, Omer Deutsch, DMD, PhD, Justin Rolando, PhD, and Aaron Weinberg, DMD, PhD as they highlight the latest innovations in both salivary and oral diagnostics.
Session 3: “Ignite” Spotlight Presentations
Join SDI for our third featured session, where Lavinia Alberi Auber, PhD, PD, MBA, Michael E. Hogan, PhD, and Raveet K. Grewal, PhD, will highlight significant advancements in oral health research.
Session 4: Increasing Diagnostic Access Through Patient-Centered Programs (I)
In session 4 of SDI’s annual conference, Mara G. Aspinall, MBA, Indira B. Martin, PhD, Louise Causer, PhD, MBBS, MScPH, DTM&H, and Tanya Applegate, PhD. dive into the advantages of increasing diagnostic access through patient-centered programs.
Session 5: Increasing Diagnostic Access Through Patient-Centered Programs (II)
Join us for session 5, where we will continue our discussion on increasing diagnostic access through patient-centered programs. Tune in to hear the latest findings from Lukerensia Mlongoti, BSc, Lior Rennert, PhD, and Yasin Abul, MD, ScM.
Session 6: Patient-Centered Innovation in Women’s Health
SDI is proud to bring you an insightful session featuring groundbreaking research on endometriosis diagnostics that could transform patient care. This discussion will cover presentations from Sofiane Bendifallah, MD, PhD, and Søren Therkelsen.
Session 7: Zoonotic Disease Identification and Detection
Our final speaker session includes two insightful talks that focus on important advancements in the field of zoonotic diseases. In this video, you will hear from Adriana Patricia Corredor Figueroa, MSc, PhD, Luca Giacomelli, PhD, and Roberto Eggenhoffner, PhD, as they contribute to the vital conversation about public health and veterinary science.
SalivaDirect is happy to announce Tim Stenzel as our Service through Science award recipient.
Join the celebration and register today!
Funding Mechanisms and Opportunities Panel
Join SalivaDirect on June 5th at The Darcy Hotel in DC for an exciting Funding Mechanisms and Opportunities Panel at our annual conference! This session will offer invaluable insights into the intricate funding mechanisms within RADx and the NIH and expert perspectives on the investment landscape, including challenges and opportunities presented by VCs and investors. Attendees will benefit from valuable guidance on effectively pitching and pursuing funding opportunities.
The session will serve as a platform for fostering meaningful discussions among various stakeholders, including investors, founders, PIs, and academics. These discussions will focus on securing funding to translate innovative ideas into tangible products and thriving businesses.
Following the session, participants will have the opportunity to network during a happy hour, providing an ideal environment for further connections and collaboration.
Session Agenda
Moderated by Mostafa Analoui
Funding Mechanisms and Opportunities Panel
4:30 PM to 5:30 PM EST
Funding Mechanisms and Opportunities Panel
4:30 PM to 5:30 PM EST
To only attend this panel Register here
To attend the full conference, including this panel Register here
Nao J. Gamo, PhD
Founder & CEO at NaoCorp, LLC, Women in Bio
Dr. Gamo is a neuroscientist-turned-entrepreneur with experience as a MedTech founder, business development consultant, and investment associate, guiding startups in a range of fields. Following 15 years as an academic researcher in neuroscience, she is now the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of NaoCorp, LLC, where she provides grant consulting services and draws on her experience as both a grant recipient and reviewer; Vice President of Business Development at the MDC Studio, a startup studio building health and medical technology companies; and Associate at the Verte Family of Funds, a family of ventures funds investing in high-growth companies located in Opportunity Zones. She also serves as a Co-Chair of the Executive Women in Bio Committee for the Capital Region Chapter of Women in Bio, and a Board Member and volunteer for the Metro Baltimore Chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness. Dr. Gamo has been recognized as a RealLIST Connector 2021 (for “leaders growing Baltimore’s tech and entrepreneurship network”); Women in Bio Capital Region Chapter’s 2021-2022 Rising Star; and a finalist for the 3rd Annual BioBuzz Awards – Community Builder Award in 2022.
Paul Eder, PhD
Senior Scientific Officer, Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, NIAID
Paul Eder leads the Concept Acceleration Program for Diagnostics in the Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID) at the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Previously he served as Senior Medical Diagnostics Advisor at the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), and was Director of Assay Development at QIAGEN, where he created the first WHO pre-qualified HPV screening test for resource-limited communities worldwide, using a grant from the Gates Foundation. He completed his postdoctoral fellowship in catalytic RNA with Nobel laureate Sidney Altman at Yale University, and his Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Iowa, where he helped found Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) from his lab bench.
Dev Mittar
PhD (BARDA/DRIVe)
Dev Mittar is a Health Scientist/Program Manager in the BARDA’s Division of Research, Innovation, and Ventures (DRIVe) where he is currently leading the Agnostic diagnostics program. Prior to joining BARDA, he was head of the microbiology R&D group at ATCC where he developed and commercialized new products and standards for the microbiome, infectious disease diagnostics, and drug discovery. Before that, he was a staff scientist at BD Biosciences where he worked in several cross-functional project core teams and developed assays for flow cytometry and imaging platforms. He has done post-doctoral training at Weill Medical College of Cornell University. His scientific expertise and general publications encompass cell signaling, immunology, microbiome, infectious disease, and genomics.
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Suggest A Speaker
Is there a certain speaker or topic you’d like to see at SalivaDirect’s 3rd Annual Conference? Submit your suggestions to be considered for our upcoming event!
Meet Our Sponsors
Conference Venue
The Darcy
Location: 1515 Rhode Island Ave NW Washington, DC, 20005
Website: thedarcyhotel.com
Discount: code SALIVARETREAT or The Darcy Washington DC – Reservations – Room Availability (thedarcyhotel.com)
Why Attend SDI'S Annual Conference?
Network
Engage in meaningful discussions, share insights, and collaborate on innovative solutions to today’s public health challenges.
Our virtual platform will facilitate interactions through breakout sessions and panel discussions, allowing you to connect with industry experts from around the globe.
Make An Impact
Leave our conference equipped with new knowledge to drive initiatives that promote health equity, improve health outcomes, and influence policy.
This conference is not just about learning-it’s about igniting your passion.
Get Inspired
Our virtual conference will feature talks by leading experts from laboratories, diagnostic development, academia, and public health.
These professionals will share innovative insights from their research. providing a valuable platform for both personal and professional growth.
Get Informed
Stay ahead of the curve and expand your knowledge with our curated content.
Lead with actionable information and innovative ideas to drive positive change in your work and community.
