While October may be painted pink to signify Breast Cancer Awareness Month, at Athari Bio, breast cancer is top of mind around the clock: Our scientific researchers and lab resources are dedicated to having a molecular laboratory developed test (LDT) for breast cancer genetic early detection available to the public by 2022.

About 43,600 American women will die from breast cancer this year. The overall death rate from breast cancer decreased by 1% per year from 2013 to 2018. These decreases are thought to be the result of treatment advances and earlier detection through screening — and we can do better.

While many of us reflect on the loss of friends and loved ones to breast cancer, our Chief Operations and Science Officer, Javed Siddiqi, PhD has spent much of his career focused on cancer research and advancing breast cancer early detection. At Lombardi Cancer Research Center at Georgetown University, Dr. Siddiqi identified a novel gene which prevents a group of cancer patients from radiation therapy. While completing his postdoctoral fellowship at MIT and Harvard Medical School, he isolated a novel gene for early detection of breast cancer. This gene/protein (DF3-CEA) is shed in any body fluid such as milk, urine, and saliva, and has the capacity to be readily used in testing in order to save lives of our mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters today.

At Athari, we believe in a future where there is gender equity in healthcare, research, and preventative solutions. Athari’s founder, Susan Mitchell, is a female biotech entrepreneur who is steering progress for cancer diagnostics for women. From leadership to the lab and clinician to patient, representation is the path to equity. We’re working to ensure that women in STEM and women’s health, which have long been under tapped and overlooked, are at the forefront in our leadership and research.

Know the Facts

• About 1 in 8 US women develop breast cancer.
• For women in the US, breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer, besides lung cancer.
• Breast cancer became the most common cancer globally in 2021, accounting for 12% of all new annual cancer cases.
• In women under 45, breast cancer is more common in Black women than white women. Overall, Black women are more likely to die of breast cancer.
• A woman’s risk of breast cancer nearly doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
• About 5–10% of breast cancers can be linked to known gene mutations inherited from parents. Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are the most common.
• About 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. These occur due to genetic mutations that happen as a result of the aging process and life in general, rather than inherited mutations.

Stats credited to — and learn more — at BreastCancer.org

In celebration of Black History Month, we honor the leaders who paved the pathway to civil rights and set humanity’s sights on striving for equity. We also look to the future: It is vital that we make explicit how critical people of color are to the biotech ecosystem and STEM(M) – Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medical fields as a whole. In Athari Bio’s lab practice, we are focused on ensuring racial, ethnic, age, ability and gender diversity in the datasets that are the foundation of genomic and other healthcare breakthroughs, in the education and training we provide, as well as the leaders and team members who are doing the work.

And we have work to do:

• African Americans make up 13% of the population but hold only 3% of executive positions at biotech firms. Citation to learn more.
• Nearly 90% of the DNA studied today – and therefore the DNA research, diagnostics and treatments derived – are of European descent. Citation to learn more.

As a diverse team on a unified mission, we also acknowledge and carry forth the roots of science itself, grounded in Egyptian and Mesopotamian soil. Our very namesake honors this truth: Athari means “impact” in Swahili. “In this light, looking forward to Black History Month years and decades from now, we are deeply driven and excited to think about the impact we will have made, together.”

– Athari Bio CEO Susan Mitchell

We are proud to feature pivotal organizations that are making history today by closing the gap of America’s health inequities. These are just a few organizations that we work with:

• The Faith-based Genetic Research Institute’s mission is to educate, empower and elevate populations, primarily of people of color, on the benefits of being engaged with the medical community and advanced therapeutics. Two members of our leadership team, Dr. Tshaka Cunningham and Dr. Kareem Washington serve on the Board of Directors. Learn more and get involved at www.fbgri.org/.
• Future Kings uses education, mentoring, training, practical experiences, and mastery of 21st century technology in order to create a pipeline of young men from underserved communities who excel in STEM related careers and positively influence their communities. Dr. Tshaka Cunningham has led groups of middle and high school aged students in various hands-on research projects, and we’re working to ensure that Future Queens will be coming soon! Learn more and get involved at www.future-kings.org.
• At the NAACP Loudoun Branch, Susan Mitchell serves both the Economic Development & Health Committees with an emphasis on ensuring Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Ability (DEIA). The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination. Chartered in 1940, the Loudoun Branch of the NAACP is one of the oldest branches of the NAACP. Learn more and get involved at www.naacploudoun.org.
• Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce’s DEIA Committee is currently building initiatives led by Toolkit Subcommittee Chair Susan Mitchell. These local efforts support creating a culture of DEIA among 1,200 local businesses and their northern Virginia communities. Learn more and get involved at www.loudounchamber.org/.

This week, Susan stepped out of the Athari Bio lab and into the classroom. She had a fantastic time evaluating 24 biomedical students’ knowledge, skills, and abilities. Not to worry, their Biomedical Technology Advisor, Jennifer Gardner, an excellent role model and mentor for these bright, budding minds was just outside the door overseeing the proctoring process.

“The positive energy and skill level that each student brought to their laboratory proficiency rotation using volumetric equipment: Serological Pipettes was stellar!” Susan said. “I am excited to watch them grow and see where they go. Many have committed to continue in the biomedical field and will head to VA Tech, UVA, Shenandoah, JMU, and Auburn for their first semester of undergrad in the fall.”

We’re glad to serve Academies of Loudoun in its NOCTI Skill-Based Performance Assessments, and are inspired and in awe of the next generation of scientists ready to cure what ails!

This National Doctors’ Day, we express our deepest gratitude to those called to this profession. We’re also honored to share personal insights and professional inspiration from our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tammey Naab.

Q: This National Doctors’ Day, tell us about what inspired you to enter this field, what drives you today, and what advice you offer to young people considering pursuing this path?

A: During my senior year of college, my beloved uncle was dying of colon cancer. I felt very frustrated that he had presented at an advanced stage and that there were no options for treatment. I soon decided to pursue a career in pathology because the specialty requires a comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of medicine; it involves solving a series of mysteries. A pathologist needs to use all tools including clinical presentation, imaging studies, and laboratory results to decide how to proceed in working up a challenging case in surgical pathology.

Ultimately, I wanted to enter a profession in which I could make a difference in the outcome of cancer patients’ lives.

“To be a physician, you have to love medicine, helping all people, and solving complex mysteries.”

After spending 30 years in an academic career and having the wonderful and fulfilling opportunity to educate more than 6,000 medical and dental students, I decided to leave academia and pursue a career path which allows me to develop innovative tests using biotechnology to improve treatment options for patients with neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases.

I was blessed to have discovered that opportunity with Ms. Susan Mitchell, an outstanding professional, who has believed in my goals and advocates for the highest quality of care for all populations.

We’re grateful to have Dr. Naab on the Athari team!

We fully embrace the old adage that we are the sum of our parts, and when it comes to Athari, our dynamic ‘parts’ are not just a motivating force, but ones we celebrate and stand in awe of often. We are passionately STEM and equity focused, but we’re also artists, advocates and allies.

In this light, we’d like to honor Women’s History Month and share a little about Akea Brown; she’s a communications leader often behind the scenes at Athari, but in the limelight nationally! Her artwork is on exhibit in multiple US locations and interweaves mixed media with vibrant cultural narratives, bringing her unique voice and experience to life for us all to learn from and grow together.

“My work has been going through an expansion similar to the personal one I’ve been going through myself and it’s been exciting to witness myself grow and see how it’s bleeding into my work.” says Akea.

Current & Upcoming Exhibitions

• NYC Culture Club in the World Trade Oculus now through April 16
• Mississippi Museum of Art in April
• Stay tuned for Baltimore in September!

We’re grateful for the voice, lens and social community that Akea curates for Athari.

Learn more about her and upcoming exhibitions at akeabrown.com.

This International Women’s Day, we stand with the theme “Break the Bias” and emphasize the need for equity and representation in leadership roles as well as for women working within STEM. This annual day and call to action are also in conjunction with the exciting news that Athari Bio’s CEO and Founder Susan Mitchell just received the Executive Leader Finalist Award from the Loudoun Chamber’s Annual Meeting and Community Leadership Awards.

But we’re not resting on our laurels: While women have made gains from 8% of STEM workers in 1970 to just now representing 27% of the field in recent years; we still have work to do.

Our genomic tests, immunodiagnostics, and professional development programs are a wellspring for — and of — health and empowerment. We leverage STEM not just for the sake of advancing science, but also because science stands to help us all live healthier, more vibrant lives.

This International Women’s Day and tomorrow, how can we work together to break the bias?

Our team actively seeks collaboration and public-private partnerships; Athari’s R&D is focused on population health, product commercialization and pipeline development that positively impacts individuals and their communities.

Stay connected with us at Athari.bio and @AthariBio across social media, and please post your stories about how you too are working to #BreaktheBias.

In celebration of Black History Month, the Loudoun Chamber’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Committee has spotlighted several members of the Chamber, including Susan Mitchell, President & CEO of Guardians of Honor LLC (GOH) and founder and CEO of Athari BioSciences Inc.; Susan is also the Chair of the Chamber’s GovCon Committee, and a member of the DEIA Committee.

“My heart beats for philanthropic and community service activities, which tend to spill over into the types of entrepreneurial endeavors I pursue. I am always looking for ways to improve access to and success in education, healthcare, workforce, and economic development. My hope is to combine both worlds – from the lab bench to the boardroom. I strive to ensure that people from all walks are represented and that DEIA is not just aspirational, but attainable in real-time – in business and bio today and beyond.” – Susan Mitchell

Join our CEO Susan Mitchell on March 3rd as she speaks on a panel with life science companies led by Krish R Krishnan and Elizabeth Onderko. As we all endeavor to deliver solutions in health and sustainability, sign up to attend in-person at George Mason University to network with friends in the NOVA BioHub or join us virtually: https://bit.ly/3v28nRX.

In celebration of Black History Month, we honor the leaders who paved the pathway to civil rights and set humanity’s sights on striving for equity. It is also vital that we make explicit how critical people of color are to the biotech ecosystem and STEM(M) – Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medical fields as a whole. Today, we celebrate Mary Elliott Hill and Dr. Marie Maynard Daly, both Black female STEM pioneers who changed the field for the betterment of future generations.

Dr. Marie Maynard Daly

Biochemist

Dr. Marie Daly was the first African American woman to receive a doctorate in chemistry in the United States. After she earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Queens College in 1942, Daly completed her master’s degree at New York University in only one year. At Columbia University, she studied how bodily compounds contribute to digestion and earned her doctoral degree in just three years. Her postdoctoral research at the Rockefeller Institute focused on the composition of the cell’s nucleus and how proteins are metabolized. She taught at Howard University, Columbia University and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. While devoting her time to research, Daly helped develop programs aimed at increasing minority enrollment in medical school and graduate programs. In 1988, she created a scholarship fund at Queens College for African American science graduates.

Mary Elliott Hill

Organic and Analytical Chemist

Mary Elliott Hill was an organic and analytical chemist, born in North Carolina. She attended the Virginia State College for Negroes, now Virginia State University (VSU) from 1925-1929. She taught at VSU and took graduate courses at the University of Pennsylvania. She was one of the earliest African American women to acquire her master’s degree in chemistry (1941). Her work specified in ultraviolet light and using that to develop analytic methodology. While an associate professor and acting head of the chemistry department at Kentucky State University, she collaborated with her husband Carl McClellan Hill in developing the ketene synthesis, which aided in the development in plastics.

In celebration of National Mentoring Month, we’re proud to feature our Chief Scientific and Technical Advisor Tshaka Cunningham’s work with Future Kings, whose efforts are near and dear to Athari’s goals of being a leader in STEM education and bridging the gap of health equity across diverse populations.

Over the course of last year, Dr. Cunningham’s cohort of 12 high school students chose a research capstone exploring why African-Americans are more susceptible to COVID-19. They learned how to perform sterilization and pipetting techniques, DNA/RNA extraction, gel electrophoresis, and human cell culturing.

“Having mentors with as much expertise as Dr. Cunningham and being enriched every other weekend for a few hours is a unique experience you can’t get anywhere else, and you can’t get that in school,” says Norvin West, a Future Kings graduate who has started his freshman year at Yale where he will pursue a

degree in neuroscience. Read the full

feature in Yahoo Finance News.

The profound impact that organizations like Future Kings have on the lives of students and mentors alike speaks to why building a mentoring mindset and pro-STEM education culture that is year-round and sustainable is so important. Plus, we have work to do:

• Despite making up nearly half the U.S. workforce, women are still vastly underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workforce. We’ve made gains from less than 10% of the workforce in the 1970s but are still today under 30%.
• African-Americans make up 11% of the U.S. workforce overall but represent 9% of STEM workers, while Hispanics comprise 16% of the U.S. workforce but only 7% of STEM Workers, according to PEW Research.

Athari is committed to stewarding us toward a future with diversity represented across the biosciences, STEM training and health equity.