Sarah Snider, 34 / CEO, BEAM Diagnostics, Inc.
Dr. Sarah Snider earned her Ph.D in Pharmacology and Toxicology from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2014 and is a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC. She founded and became CEO of BEAM Diagnostics, Inc., a technology transfer corporation that leverages behavioral and decision science to help healthcare providers and employers better understand and serve their patients and employees. BEAM is the first company founded in this region to bridge the gap between basic science from Virginia Tech and translate it to the patient at Carilion Clinic. Since its inception, she has led the company through over $2.3 million of NIH- and regionally-funded commercialization grand awards, two competitive accelerator programs and served international and local clients since 2017. Snider is a peer-reviewed scientist with 28 publications and 38 national and international presentations, with her work cited more than 800 times in literature. She often participates as a panelist and guest speaker as a start-up entrepreneur, and serves as an entrepreneur representative on the Valley Innovation Council’s Access to Capital Committee. “I believe the work that I do innovates the way we approach preventative healthcare,” she says. “Identifying and addressing health conditions earlier improves the lives of patients and ultimately our community wellness.”
- The Principal Investigator of 7 awarded NIH and regional technology transfer grants
- Member of the Shenandoah Club
- Mentors Virginia Tech graduate students via the HS&T Hokie Pitch event; her mentored teams from 2018 won 2nd place, and 2019 won Most Creative awards
From the Nomination: “Dr. Snider is an experienced behavioral pharmacologist in the field of substance use disorder, behavioral decision-making, and behavior interventions. … Snider is very active in the regional start-up ecosystem. Since 2017 she regularly participates in regional networking events, student mentoring and peer learning sessions. She often participates as a panelist and guest speaker discussing her experience as a start-up entrepreneur in a variety of contexts. … Snider is certainly an unusual success story and she is just getting started. She has demonstrated that research can be transferred from our institutions and commercialized. She is leading a technology-based startup, writing the grants, conducting clinical trials, while remaining active in the entrepreneurial community, always having time to give back. She remains humble and coachable. She is focused and willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. She is smart, willing to work hard and appreciative of the support from across our region. In recent years, the region has placed increased emphasis on supporting entrepreneurs. In our region and across the nation, the vast majority of technology based businesses are founded by men. Women founders and CEOs are rare, especially in the health care and technology sectors. In addition, women owned technology based businesses have more difficulty raising capital and competing for grants. Snider stands out for her risk taking and leadership. She is moving forward in outstanding fashion. If she is recognized as an outstanding 40 under 40, it will honor her but more importantly, I believe it will encourage other women to consider this path. She is deserving of this recognition.”
What do you love about Roanoke?
Snider: “The mountains! You don’t have to look far to find hiking trails, gorgeous views and a little peace from a hectic day in the outdoors.”
How does your passion impact our community?
Snider: “I believe the work that I do innovates the way we approach preventative healthcare. Identifying and addressing health conditions earlier improves the lives of patients and ultimately our community wellness.”
