Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. knew that a healthy, equitable society brimming with hope and opportunity for everyone required two key components.

The first is scientific and technological progress. Speaking in 1964 in his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance lecture, Dr. King marveled at innovation in computing, infrastructure, and air and space travel. He called the pace of technological advancement “an awe-inspiring threshold of the future…a dazzling picture of modern man’s scientific and technological progress.”

Dr. King, however, also understood that not all problems can be solved in a lab.

“The solution of [racial injustice, poverty, and war] is…dependent upon man squaring his moral progress with his scientific progress, and learning the practical art of living in harmony,” observed Dr. King.

The second key component—our ability to respect and empathize with others—lies within each of us, in what Dr. King referred to as “the internal realm.” He argued that our internal emotional and spiritual needs must be nourished and balanced with the enrichments and pursuits of the “external realm,” even when the pursuit is as noble and important as curing disease.

When we allow “the internal to become lost in the external,” he wrote, “we [allow] the means by which we live to outdistance the ends for which we live.”

Athari was founded on the idea that organizations driving scientific innovation through products and services (the “means by which we live”) should also support their communities (the “ends for which we live”) with education, career opportunities, mentoring, and other kinds of personal investment.

It is important for us all to remember that, though we are each one small part of a much larger community, we all have a responsibility to take an active role in nurturing each other and ourselves.

Dr. King’s lessons are especially poignant to us as a Black-founded company. One way we honor Dr. King’s legacy, and do our part to strive for equity, is by investing in Black communities and other communities of color that have been historically underrepresented and underserved. We provide educational, career, and mentoring opportunities through both our own initiatives and through partnerships with for-profit, non-profit, and government organizations.

In 2023, we will keep that progress going, with several planned mentoring and support initiatives to be announced in the coming months.

Stay connected through socials (@atharibio), and sign up on our website to receive occasional email updates about our work

At Athari Bio, we lead by example and we actively employ empathy in every stage of our growth. This testimonial speaks to the leadership qualities of our CEO Susan Mitchell. Beyond being a good boss, it’s about being a good human, and the good work follows naturally.

Several years ago, I needed some guidance and support as our organization began developing new programming for our community. Today, my organization continued to step into new work and efforts. In all those varied and exploratory steps, Susan Mitchell and her team have supported our efforts as thought-leaders and change-makers.

Susan Mitchell is a steadfast source of ideas, support, and forward thinking.

It has been rewarding to be part of the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce and see her commitment to its programs and programming. From the Gov Com Committee, to the Chamber’s growing and emerging work in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and its various subcommittees dedicated to generating action-oriented products that advance our community and the Loudoun Chamber.

I am honored to support and applaud the work of this local leader.

Sincerely,
Amy E. Owen, President & CEO
Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties

At Athari Bio, part of the practice of being a human-first biotech company is the conscious act of not just studying what’s beneath the surface and at the genomic level, but also what is the sum of our parts, and those that may be especially untapped or intangible. An integral ingredient to our team’s ethos and of cultivating a culture of whole-person wellness is the act of being grateful here and now. Yes, there are challenges and we’re living in complicated times, but we’re also full of gratitude, and that in itself, the feeling of gratitude, can brighten even the darkest of November days. Yes, we’re a lean start-up that’s stepping up to tackle massive social and health inequities. We’re driven to create life-saving innovations through life sciences and being faced with obstacles and systemic barriers is just a matter of course. Through challenges, we vibrantly shine and feel immense gratitude for the diverse team that propels us and the increasing number of allies who are showing up to support our mission to strengthen communities, develop future leaders, and build generational wealth, health, and well-being through bioscience.

So, this Thanksgiving holiday, we reached out to our team to draw on their inspiration and co-author a little mini-Journal of Gratitude to pause and reflect upon. Here’s what they had to share:

“Gratitude is a sentiment that can be expressed at any time, for experiences large and small. Today and every day, I begin with a thankful heart because rain or shine, the day is mine—to make the most of. It brings me joy to know that I am blessed to be a blessing. I am so grateful for opportunities to help, heal, and honor.” – Susan Mitchell, CEO

“The old adage of feeling fortunate to ‘wake up each morning’ is true; I am grateful to be awestruck by my two small children as their eyes open to the world every single day. Simultaneously, I’m at a pivotal moment in my life and career where health and wellness are top of mind and close to my heart. It is causing a groundswell of creative energy to flow from me and I feel empowered to effect change.” – Jen Williams, Communications Director

What are you grateful for? Drop us a line or share on social. We’d love to hear.

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.