Dharmica Mistry

What makes Dharmica Mistry a Global Shaker?

Dharmica Mistry may not have done it on purpose, but she made a groundbreaking discovery that has the potential to save millions of lives across the globe.

While investigating the link between breast cancer and hair, Mistry found that there were certain lipids associated with the illness. If they could isolate and identify these lipids in a blood test, then they could have an affordable, non-invasive, and accurate way of diagnosing breast cancer.

In 2010 she co-founded BCAL diagnostics, a Australian biotechnology company that’s developing her revolutionary discovery.

Early studies are optimistic; the BCAL tests were 90% accurate, a significantly higher rate compared to other methods like mammography. Studies showed that the test could potentially detect other kinds of cancer as well.

Mistry was born in England to Indian parents. Her family moved to Sydney, Australia when she was six years old.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Microbiology in 2007 at the University of Sydney. She then went on to complete a PhD in Medicine at Macquarie University.

Mistry has won numerous awards including The Peoples Choice Award, Australian Technologies Competition, 2017.

The young microbiologist continues to work with Macquarie University to “pay it forward” and be a visible role-model to get other young women and girls into science.

“I believe we need to have more visible role models in the STEM space because these are the occupations and disciplines that foster change and impact in the world.”

She is currently the Head of MedTech at Cicada Innovations.

Last updated: November 10, 2020

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