Tina Nova

Dr. Tina Nova's career spans decades of innovation and visionary leadership in the field of biosciences and molecular diagnostics. As the former President and CEO of Decipher Biosciences, Inc., she helped spearhead transformative advancements in urologic cancer diagnostics, culminating in the company's acquisition by Veracyte, Inc., for an $600 million in 2021.

Prior to her tenure at Decipher, Dr. Nova held pivotal roles at organizations, including Molecular Stethoscope, Illumina, and Genoptix Medical Laboratory, where she co-founded the company and guided it through a successful IPO and subsequent acquisition by Novartis AG. Her journey in the industry began with pioneering work at Nanogen, Inc., Ligand Pharmaceuticals, and Hybritech, Inc., solidifying her reputation as a trailblazer in early biotechnology.

Currently, Dr. Nova is a member of the Board of Directors at Azenta, Inc., and Exagen, Inc., where she assumes the role of executive chair. Additionally, she serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at Rady's Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, demonstrating her passion to participate in advancing innovative approaches in pediatric healthcare.

Recognized for her contributions, she has garnered numerous accolades, including the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Life Science award and the Athena Pinnacle Award. Her dedication and impact have earned her recognition as a Women's Entrepreneurship Day Pioneer Award recipient, an honor to be celebrated at the United Nations and by both Houses of the United States Congress in November 2024. Notably, she has been lauded as one of the Top 10 Women in Biotech by FierceBiotech, further underscoring her status in the field.

Dr. Nova's academic journey includes a B.S. degree in Biological Sciences with honors from the University of California, Irvine, and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of California, Riverside. Her innovative spirit is reflected in her status as an inventor on several scientific patents, including the development of the first FDA-approved PSA diagnostic test for prostate cancer.