The Spit Queen: How Dr. Anne Wylie Turned Saliva Into a COVID Testing Revolution

Dr. Anne Wylie never planned to fall in love with microbiology, but that unexpected passion led her to create SalivaDirect, the low-cost, saliva-based COVID-19 test that reshaped diagnostic testing during the pandemic. In this episode, she shares her winding path from New Zealand to Amsterdam to Yale, the frantic weekend SalivaDirect went live with the FDA, and what she's learned about mentorship, resilience, and following what gives you joy — even when it means changing course.