EP #278 - 05.18.2021 - New COVID Testing Insights

Today I welcome public health researcher Steph Tan, and epidemiologist Anne Wyllie to COVIDCalls to discuss COVID-19 saliva tests.

Orchid Allicock is a postdoctoral research associate at Yale School of Public Health with Drs. Nathan Grubaugh and Daniel Weinberger. Previously she received postdoctoral training at the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, where she gained an interest in translational science and diagnostic development. Currently she works on development and optimization of saliva-based diagnostics with SalivaDirect.

Steph Tan is a Research Assistant and an incoming Master of Public Health student at the Yale School of Public Health, concentrating in Social and Behavioral Sciences. She is also a Cornell University alum. Last year, Steph pushed for COVID-19 saliva testing in her home country of New Zealand where she is currently based. Alongside head researcher Dr. Anne Wyllie, she is now facilitating the implementation of it by collaborating with New Zealand government leaders. 

Dr. Anne Wyllie is an associate research scientist in epidemiology at Yale University.  She is credited with pushing forward on the use of saliva as a superior sample for creating high-quality low-cost SARS-CoV-2 testing. Her paper on the subject attracted support by the NBA that led to the development of technology that has enabled others to make possible frequent testing keeping kids in school and enabling professional sports to continue competition safely. The use of saliva as an alternative sample type can alleviate many of the bottlenecks encountered in the mass testing strategies required to control continuing outbreaks.