In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Tina Rinker—co-founder & Chief Scientific Officer of Syantra Inc.—joins host Holly Smithson to unpack a breakthrough approach to early detection: a simple blood test that reads the immune system’s signals rather than hunting for tumor fragments.
Dr. Rinker explains how Syantra’s 15-marker panelcan identify breast cancers at ~1 cm and below, addressing long-standing gaps in screening—especially for the 50% of women with dense breast tissue where mammograms can miss smaller tumors. They dive into why screening must prioritize stage-1 detection (where survival is highest), how a blood test can boost adherence by fitting into routine labs, and why “platform thinking” opens the door to multi-cancer applications.
Beyond the science, Tina shares her path from chemical engineering professor to three-time founder, the team-first lessons she carried from NCAA championship gymnastics, and practical advice for scientists moving from lab bench to boardroom.
With discussion of external validations, DOD grant support, and AI as an accelerant, this episode is a timely, hopeful blueprint for getting better tools to more women—faster. Tune in for a masterclass on staying signal-focused amid the noise, and why making screening easier can make it earlier—and lifesaving.
