Young Innovator Program Inventor Spotlight: Diana Ranoa, describing her pivotal role in developing the UIUC saliva test for COVID-19.

Diana Ranoa is a Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology Fellow. She currently works in Paul Hergenrother’s lab where she tests the ability of synthetic compounds to elicit host immune responses in order to block different types of cancer. During the pandemic, she volunteered to help create Viral Transport Medium (VTM) in mass quantities to facilitate testing in Illinois. Ranoa was also instrumental in developing the saliva test for SARS-CoV-2, which has attracted national attention and has been approved by the FDA for emergency use.

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