Welcome to Founder’s Corner: A Conversation with Dr. Rubina Mian, Innovator of the LCC and OzMian™ Tests.
Interviewer: “Welcome to Founders Corner! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Rubina Mian, the innovative mind behind OzMian, which measures stress through neutrophil activity. Thank you for joining us!”
Dr. Rubina Mian: “Thank you! I'm excited to be here.”
Interviewer: "Dr. Mian, could you tell us a bit about your background and what inspired you to enter the field of medical diagnostics?"
Dr. Rubina Mian: "Born and bought up in Birmingham, my interest began at age 7 when I read the incredible life stories of scientists who changed the world. My father had brought home a set of encyclopedias, and I loved them. I didn’t realize they were reference books - I read them through, volumes 1 to 12. Among those stories, Leonardo Da Vinci's meticulous studies fascinated me the most. His ability to see 'a world in a grain of sand' sparked my curiosity about the tiny details of biology. As I grew, this curiosity evolved. Jump forward to Liverpool University, where the vibrant culture and the influence of The Beatles pushed me to think differently. That early inspiration from Da Vinci stayed with me, driving my passion for understanding the intricate details of life at a cellular level."
Interviewer: "What’s the best part or the most fun part of your job?"
Dr. Rubina Mian: "The thrill of tackling challenges that no one has ever solved before. It's like being an explorer on the frontiers of science, and every discovery feels like unearthing a new treasure. One of my favorite activities is taking photos of cells in my spare time. It’s like being an artist, but my canvas is microscopic. There’s a hidden beauty in cell structures that most people never get to see, and I love capturing that."
Description by Dr. Rubina Mian: "I took this black and white photo of a red blood cell alongside two white blood cells. It's a snapshot of cellular interaction, like a dance happening on a microscopic level. The details highlight the different components, making it easier to see how they interact. It's fascinating to observe the intricacies of these cells in action."
Interviewer: "You are renowned for pioneering the Leukocyte Coping Capacity (LCC) test and advancing it to the OzMian™ test. What makes the OzMian™ test stand out?"
Dr. Rubina Mian: "The OzMian™ test is revolutionary. It's a fingertip test that decodes neutrophil signals in real-time with mobile monitoring. It’s faster and more effective than traditional lab tests, and it's portable. Results are available in minutes. We’ve eliminated the need for cumbersome lab work, making it incredibly accessible. This is about democratising health diagnostics, putting powerful tools directly into people's hands."
Interviewer: "Can you share some highlights of your career and the teams you've worked with?"
Dr. Rubina Mian: "I've been fortunate to work with brilliant teams. I had the opportunity to work with international pharmaceutical companies like Miles Laboratories and Bayer, which provided a solid foundation for my research. Later, I was a founding member of both Seroxo and Oxford Medistress, which were incredible experiences. Additionally, I’ve collaborated with Manchester United Football Club, McLaren Racing, and Jaguar Cars. These partnerships have been incredibly fulfilling, showing me the diverse applications of our technology and its potential to revolutionize various industries. Another highlight was an unexpected encounter with Nobel Laureate Sir John Vane at Birmingham University. It’s not very often that a Nobel Laureate takes time to go through each and every photograph of cells I’d taken at a microscopic level and discuss the tremendous potential. His encouragement fueled my drive."
Interviewer: “You've had the opportunity to work with some incredibly diverse and prestigious brands. Can you share some of your most memorable encounters from these collaborations?”
Dr. Rubina Mian: "Absolutely! Working with brands like Manchester United, McLaren Formula 1, and Jaguar Cars has been incredibly exciting and rewarding. Each of these collaborations offered unique challenges and opportunities. For instance, applying our stress diagnostics in the high-performance world of McLaren Formula 1 was thrilling; seeing how our technology could potentially enhance the performance of elite athletes and engineers was a real highlight. Similarly, working with Manchester United allowed us to explore how stress affects players at the top of their game, which was both fascinating and fulfilling.
On the other hand, visiting Jaguar Cars in the West Midlands, and Lindt Chocolatiers in Geneva provided a completely different perspective. With Lindt, we delved into how sensory experiences could influence stress and well-being, which was quite an innovative application of our technology. And with Jaguar, we explored the impact of stress on precision and design, which was another exciting frontier.
I also had the fascinating opportunity to work with one of the world's leading perfume manufacturers, where we explored how different fragrances could impact stress levels and overall well-being. This was a particularly interesting application of our technology and really opened up new avenues of research for us. Each of these experiences has not only been memorable but has also broadened our understanding of how our technology can be applied across such diverse industries.”
Interviewer: "I heard you once conducted a study on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie when you were in academia. That sounds intriguing! Can you tell us more about it?"
Dr. Rubina Mian: "Ah yes, the Tobe Hooper Texas Chainsaw Massacre study. As someone who’s always been fascinated by cinema and how films can evoke such strong emotions, this was an incredibly intriguing one. We were pioneers in that. We were the first to report that watching anyone in distress, even in a fictional story, has a significant effect on immune function."
Interviewer: "Bet the students loved you for that one!"
Dr. Rubina Mian: "The students were incredible. We were never short of volunteers for that study. They recognized that we were pushing boundaries, and in a touching gesture at the end of the study, all the students signed a copy of the book Jonathan Livingston Seagull, which is all about pushing beyond limits. They even added the message, ‘Keep pushing boundaries.’ It was a reminder that in this vast universe, it’s our courage to explore the unknown that truly defines us."
Interviewer: "Was that study published in a journal?"
Dr. Rubina Mian: "Yes, it was peer-reviewed and published - although I can't remember offhand which journal it was in - but it still gets quoted as a pioneering paper in high-brow journals, which always makes me smile. Filmmakers and musicians have mastered the art of evoking emotions - emotions so powerful that we can measure their impact at a cellular level.”
Mian, R., et al. (2003). Observing a fictitious stressful event: Haematological changes, including circulating leukocyte activation. Stress, 6(1), 41-47.
Interviewer: "What drives you in your research and innovation?"
Dr. Rubina Mian: "What drives me is the pursuit of simplicity and accuracy in understanding our cellular responses. I’ve always believed that 'Humans may lie, but cells always reveal the unvarnished truth.' This drives me to develop tools that give us pure, unfiltered insights into our health, helping us make better, evidence-based decisions."
Interviewer: "What led you to found OzMian, and what are your goals for the company?"
Dr. Rubina Mian: "The inspiration to found OzMian in 2024 was deeply rooted in the same curiosity that Leonardo Da Vinci sparked in me as a child. I wanted to take the LCC test to the next level with the OzMian™ test. It's faster, more accurate, and I saw an opportunity to explore new markets. My goal is to expand the reach of our technology globally, breaking down barriers and pushing the limits of medical technology."
Interviewer: "Is it true you worked with lion’s pee? How did you collect it?"
Dr. Rubina Mian: "Yes, it's true! Collecting lion’s pee involves asking the lion very politely and offering a nice bottle. Joking aside, it requires careful coordination with zookeepers to ensure it’s done safely and ethically. It’s one of the more adventurous parts of our job!"
Interviewer: "What’s your favorite way to stay active and healthy?"
Dr. Rubina Mian: "Surrounding myself with nature. Hiking and spending time outdoors help me stay physically active and mentally balanced. Nature has a magical way of helping me relax and recharge."
Interviewer: “You've had the incredible experience of meeting both Sir Alex Ferguson and William Shatner. How have these encounters influenced your approach to leading OzMian, especially considering your love for science fiction and classic TV shows like Star Trek and Kung Fu with David Carradine?”
Dr. Rubina Mian: “Meeting Sir Alex Ferguson and William Shatner has been truly inspirational. Sir Alex taught me the importance of discipline, resilience, and strategic thinking in leadership. His insights on managing high-pressure situations and fostering a winning mindset have been invaluable in shaping our company's culture and approach to stress management.
William Shatner, on the other hand, fueled my passion for innovation and creativity. His portrayal of Captain Kirk in Star Trek emphasized the importance of staying calm under pressure and thinking outside the box. This has directly influenced our work at OzMian, where we strive to combine scientific precision with innovative solutions to help people manage stress more effectively. These experiences, coupled with my love for shows like Kung Fu, which emphasise mindfulness and inner peace, have helped me create a holistic approach to stress management, blending scientific rigor with human insight.”
Interviewer: "If I were a company that wanted to work with you, what should I do? And what would typically happen?"
Dr. Rubina Mian: "Just reach out to our business team and let’s chat. If you’d like to talk to me directly, drop me an email. Typically, a customer has an idea or concern. We can design studies and provide objective feedback and recommendations based on results. For example, an investment banking team might want to monitor the stress of their executive team and explore possible interventions in working practices. We can objectively monitor these interventions. A car designer might want to explore the effect of visual sensory stimuli on customers, and we can monitor subconscious effects down to the cellular level."
Interviewer: "Looking ahead, what do you hope to achieve with OzMian?"
Dr. Rubina Mian: "Before I delve into the future, I must reflect on some incredible moments that have shaped my journey. Meeting David Attenborough was a particularly inspiring experience. His passion for the natural world and unwavering commitment to its preservation resonated deeply with me, both personally and professionally. It was a reminder of why we do what we do - because the world needs more champions like him, dedicated to protecting the planet's fragile ecosystems.
Equally inspiring are my colleagues who have used the techniques I developed, even before the creation of the OzMian test, to make a real difference in conservation efforts. These innovations have been pivotal in saving endangered species, from wild turtles to white-tailed eagles, and even Kulan in the remote regions of Outer Mongolia. It's humbling to know that our work has been applied to such critical causes, including in wild brown bears captured by helicopter. Contributing to these vital conservation efforts is both an honor and a profound reminder of the broader impact our innovations can have.
Looking ahead, I want to continually evolve the OzMian test, making it faster and more efficient. Our goal is to reduce the testing time to well under 2 minutes. Compared with the early days of LCC, our formula has significantly improved, and it continues to get better. By pushing the envelope in cellular detection and monitoring, we aim to make these technologies widely accessible and practical. This will deepen our understanding of how stress and environmental factors affect our health at a cellular level and lead to innovative solutions that improve lives. We are also incorporating advanced AI to provide even more personalized health insights. The future is incredibly exciting."
Interviewer: "That's wonderful to hear. Thank you for sharing your experiences and insights, Dr. Mian. It's been a pleasure having you on Founders Corner."
Dr. Rubina Mian: "Thank you! It's been a great conversation."