Towards diagnostics, I developed a low-cost, disposable rapid RNA/DNA diagnostic device for infectious disease that would ultimately serve as the founding technology for Lucira Health’s OTC covid test. I further developed the genomics-based PCR assay pipeline for influenza A, with special attention to primer design that optimized for detection of infectious gene content in patient samples amid rapid mutation of the disease, non-specific binding, primer dimerization, and interference from raw patient samples. I led the transition of assay mixtures into lyophilized reagents, led the initiation of the first clinical trial for FDA approval, and led the start-up team for Series A funding before returning to graduate school for my PhD.