Genophyll Labs, the Gen-Z laboratory
We are the first lab you can text & follow on TikTok. Fund a Covid-19 PCR test for teachers, grocery & restaurant staff using our campaign!
Project Description
Support our woman-owned, small business laboratory by
*Funding a Covid-19 test for grocery, restaurant, and cleaning staff and teachers*.
For every $100 raised, Genophyll Labs will test a vital member of our community who face higher chances of Covid-19 exposure at our sample collection site for free! Funding a Covid-19 test will also secure Genophyll Labs’ place in the Central NJ community as the “Gen-Z laboratory.”
In New Jersey, insurance companies and the government do not cover Covid-19 testing for workplace surveillance as it is not considered "medically necessary." This includes grocery, restaurant staff & some teachers: www.state.nj.us/dobi/covid/faq.html. These staff members also are not currently eligible for a vaccine in New Jersey: https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/slowing-the-spread/who-is-el…
Out of ~100 laboratories in New Jersey, Genophyll Labs is one of the few woman, minority and “Gen Z” owned laboratories in NJ. We believe in representation – it is important for our healthcare services to resemble the diversity of our population.
Our vision at Genophyll Labs is to revolutionize the laboratory services space by being the first Gen-Z laboratory.
For us, being a Gen-Z laboratory means:
(1) Redefining service by modernizing how we communicate with you & make your insurance pay
(2) Roll out cutting-edge, “next generation” tests. In short, the science is there and we need laboratories like Genophyll willing to commercialize these tests so that we have less dead-ends when we bring our symptoms to our doctors.
(3) Bring values and activism to our testing: We are more than a laboratory or a provider. We are leaders bringing positive change to our broken healthcare system. To us, this responsibility means advocacy with our lawmakers and working with insurance companies rather than automatically sending patients the bills their insurance rejected. Yes, that means when your insurance doesn’t pay, we don’t automatically send you the bill, singing “Thank you, next”
We aim to be in the likes of Tend for dentistry, WTHN for acupuncture, Tia Clinic for gynecology, Parsley Health for primary care… Genophyll Labs for better, reliable, and modern laboratory testing.
About the Founder
Hi, my name is Aditi Luthra. I am the Gen-Z founder of Genophyll Labs -- the first lab you can text & follow on TikTok. The vision of Genophyll Labs was formed based on the serious gaps I noticed while working with numerous labs during the Covid-19 pandemic & my family's personal experience with testing laboratories. It is also based on my experiences seeing amazing healthcare startups who are bringing their fresh perspective to building and expanding access to quality healthcare. I am incredibly privileged to have the opportunity to go after my dreams, envision myself as a leader, and to be part of a community where my voice can be heard. 🎤 It is my life's mission to ensure everyone has access to quality healthcare. With all my heart and all my soul, I promise you this will always be the guiding principle of Genophyll Labs and this is why I believe it is important that we be a part of New Jersey's laboratory space.
If you'd like to discuss the "why" behind Genophyll's vision, let's talk on socials or text me @ 732-945-0190.
More about Genophyll Labs
Though we are a new lab, our team is experienced in coronavirus laboratory testing.
- Genophyll’s laboratory team includes Mohan Chellani, PhD, who is licensed by the State of New York in Virology and who has over 15 years of experience in laboratory testing and innovation at Quest Diagnostics.
- At the onset of the pandemic, Genophyll facilitated the FDA Emergency Use Authorization for the only Indian-made SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Kit: https://www.fda.gov/media/139293/download.
- When New Jersey mandated that patients undergo Covid-19 testing prior to elective surgery, hundreds of surgeries were being cancelled due to patients not being able to get Covid-19 results on time. Genophyll was contracted by a laboratory to offer customer service and logistics services, enabling patients at small medium surgical centers and physician offices to access Covid-19 testing.
- Genophyll has now formed "Genophyll Labs" and has obtained permission to test for coronavirus from the New Jersey Department of Health and the CLIA regulatory body. We are one of the few certified woman and minority-owned and operated labs in New Jersey!
Testing events will be organized weekly at our sample collection site and trained personnel will collect the samples. We are testing these populations (prioritized due to their higher chance of Covid-19 exposure, and thus, may be eligible for vaccination prior to the general population) under the standing order issued by the state of New Jersey: https://www.state.nj.us/health/legal/covid19/05-12-2020_StandingOrder_COVID19testing.pdf.
More information about vaccination prioritization in New Jersey:
- https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/coronavirus/2021/02/16/who-eligible-covid-vaccine-nj-now-whos-next/6757438002/
- https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/slowing-the-spread/who-is-eligible-for-vaccination-in-new-jersey-who-is-included-in-the-vaccination-phases
Tests will be processed and sent out within 12-24 hours. We will provide updates on testing we conduct via these funds on our Instagram page (@genophylllabs).
Thank you so much for considering funding our young company and supporting testing in the Central New Jersey community!
If you have any feedback or would like to contribute your talents for our campaign, please text or call us at 732-945-0190.
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Updates
The Campaign FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
But... aren't all Covid-19 RT-PCR tests free?
- You may be able to find free testing at a government site, especially if your insurance is not collected. Certain states may also have laws that require free testing beyond the policy's general guidelines. However, the major insurance companies do not cover workplace surveillance. See below for direct quotes from a few of the major policies websites:
- Aetna: Aetna's health plans generally do not cover a test performed at the direction of a member's employer in order to obtain or maintain employment or to perform the member's normal work functions or for return to school or recreational activities, except as required by applicable law.
- Horizon BCBS: Any test for population screening (for example, back-to-school or return-to-work purposes) is not covered.
- Amerihealth: Amerihealth does not cover tests that are needed for return to work, return to school, for travel, or for visiting relatives.
- United Healthcare: UnitedHealthcare benefit plans generally do not cover testing for employment, education, travel, public health, or surveillance purposes, unless required by law. Benefits will be processed according to your health benefit plan.
What test are you running in the lab?
- We run an FDA Emergency Use Authorized RT-PCR test. Our FDA Emergency Use Authorization can be found here.
- There are different types of coronavirus tests. The RT-PCR test is generally considered as the gold standard for viral detection. This is the type of test we run at our laboratory. Learn more about each test type here.
You mentioned you envision rolling out cutting-edge, next generation tests. What kind of tests are these and why are they not on the market?
- We envision bringing on genetic tests utilizing "Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)" technology and artificial intelligence to serve patients with cancer and rare diseases. We already have the team and advisors in place to bring on these tests. We anticipate rolling out our first novel test by Fall 2021, fueled by a successful Q1 & Q2 and crowdfunding campaign (hopefully!).
- There are many factors for why these tests are not in the market: (1) the path to getting your test qualified as medically necessary & covered by an insurance company is not trivial and nor can it be guaranteed, (2) there is time required to make physicians aware of a novel test so that they prescribe it for the relevant patients, (3) the volume of patients who would go for a novel test tends to be lower. We believe this is why you will find that only ~3% of New Jersey laboratories offer NGS testing while ~33% of labs offer toxicology (drug testing) services.
Is your lab authorized to run Covid-19 tests?
- Genophyll has received permission to test for the novel coronavirus from the CLIA and CLIS regulatory bodies. Furthermore, we utilize a test that was authorized by the FDA under an emergency use authorization (TRUPCR SARS-CoV-2 Kit). Genophyll’s CLIA number is: 31D2209172 and Genophyll’s CLIS number is: 0014376.
Fund a Covid-19 test. Any amount. Regardless of whether or not you choose a reward, every $100 we receive will go towards sponsoring a free Covid-19 test for grocery staff, restaurant staff, or a teacher in the State of New Jersey.
Contributions can be anonymous by writing a different name or nickname when asked for your name at checkout.
Nominate a restaurant, grocery or teaching staff member in Central New Jersey that we should email with information about obtaining free workplace surveillance Covid-19 testing.
Please nominate someone in Central NJ.
Comedic Song by Abby Feldman*
Abby will dedicate a song to you, a loved one, a liked one...
Note, if you are a business and would like Abby to make a fun video about your brand, please contribute $100 in the "Monetary Contribution" and include "Abby Business Video" in the comments.
How it works:
- Give Abby a topic or information about who you're dedicating the song to
- Abby will send you the song clip & post it on instagram
- Join thousands in collective laughter and (promote your business if applicable)
Abby Feldman (@abbyfeldman)
👩🍳 stand up, songs, comedy news
⭐️ Netflix’s The Fix, Adult Swim’s Soft Focus, JFL New Faces
💡Fulbright Scholar
📣 life is amazing👇
Authentic Indian Cooking Lesson with Aditi's mom, aunt, sister or father!
Learn step-by-step how to cook a traditional Indian meal & a few Hindi phrases in the process! Attend alone, with a friend, or make it a date!
- Choose the dish you want to make, such as:
- Tadka Dal (Yellow Lentil Soup) with basmati rice
- Chicken/Paneer Tikka Masala with basmati rice
- Saag Paneer (spiced spinach with cottage cheese) with basmati rice
- Indian bread (e.g. roti, parantha)
- Your choice!
- We will let you know what ingredients/spices you will need to buy and whether certain ingredients need to be soaked overnight
- During the session, we will guide you through cooking your chosen dish step-by-step and provide tricks you won't find in a textbook
- We will send you the recording of our live session
- We will give you a phone number to call or text next time you're cooking Indian food for advice!
- Receive Indian brand recs for snacks & food mixes
- Learn and practice a few Hindi word/phrases
If you prefer not to have a live session, but rather follow a pre-recorded session, we are happy to do that as well!
Self-Expression through Dance, a dance class by Amita Batra
Amita, founder of arts initiative Boundless by Amita, is a story-driven choreographer formally trained in Kathak & contemporary dance with a goal to exemplify one thing: art is as infinite as the human spirit.
As a student of this class, you will not only be exposed to a diverse range of dance techniques, but you will importantly learn how to use your own body to express your own emotions & tell the stories that lie within you.
When you purchase this reward, you will have access to one of two dance lessons. These lessons will also be recorded for those who cannot attend or who wish to practice.
Two live, 1.5 hour sessions:
1. March 7 at 11 AM CST
2. March 28 at 11 AM CST
or we will send you the recording if you cannot make it to a session.
8 Week Fit and Lean Program graciously sponsored by Fit Kaur, certified personal trainer & founder of @brown_girls_rising.
What is included?
- Home, outdoor, and gym workouts scalable from beginner to advanced
- Goal-specific 8 week training program broken into progressive training phases
- In-depth video tutorials on 25+ exercises integrated into the training program
- Up to 5 days of workouts for all body parts
- Healthy Habits Guide
- Exclusive Facebook support community
- Check out Fit Kaur on Instagram: @fit.kaur
Nominate a small business restaurant, grocery store, or a school in Central New Jersey that we should reach out to for free testing. We will reach out to them!
Please nominate someone in Central NJ.
Learn how to turn your business or platform into a social campaign that leaves a magnetizing impact on your audience.
One Creative Success Coaching Session with LibertasYOU founder, Daisy O'Bryan. For artists, founders, businesses, and freelancers.
How it Works:
- You will receive preparation work to complete before your session
- During your session, you will focus on Step #1 of the Libertas You method (purpose identification and discovery)
- Learn how to turn your business or platform into a social campaign that leaves a magnetizing impact on your audience
Learn more about the LibertasYOU method at www.libertasyou.com
Daisy O’Bryan has been trained with the top business coaches in the world on the importance of having a purpose behind all of your decisions in building your brand and career. She takes a business approach to the creative world. Her passion lies in building up creative individuals and businesses that she truly sees the potential in.
Learn more about the LibertasYOU method at www.libertasyou.com
A 30-minute career coaching session with a partner and consultant at IBM, a Fortune 100 technology company.
How it Works:
- After you purchase this award, you will be sent a questionnaire that will help you get the most out of your session.
- Come prepared with a career situation to talk about, whether it be how to advance your career, getting promoted, job hunting or networking.
- Enjoy a candid conversation with an experienced professional and walk away with encouragement and confidence on next steps for your advancing your career!
Thorough resume-review or cover-letter review by someone who's gone through the job application process successfully numerous times!
Includes:
1. One Resume or Cover Letter Phone/Video Call Discussion (please send your draft prior to discussion)
2. Two rounds of resume or cover letter edits via track changes
Sessions conducted by Aditi Luthra or one of her trusted friends/family members.
An all-inclusive, comprehensive, job hunting support experience.
We will put our all into supporting you as you navigate the next (or first!) step in your career. And, if you're feeling stuck, these sessions will get you rolling!
What's included:
1. 1 hour rigorous, hands-on, resume editing session
2. 30 minute cover letter discussion followed by 2 rounds of cover letter edits via Google docs or email
3. 45 minutes of mock interviews or extra time on your resume/cover letter
4. Warm introductions to at least 2 people in your desired industry
Questions about this package? Email [email protected]
Each portion of the above is with different professionals who have successfully gone through the job hunting process multiple times and have helped others in their journey as well.
We will promote your brand (personal or business) by handing out your flyer and saying positive words about your brand to 300 people who visit our Covid-19 testing site in Central New Jersey. If you have other ideas, please call us to discuss and we are happy to add it as a reward.
We will not be promoting Fortune 100 brands and your brand must be accessible (i.e. not a Rolls Royce)- ideally a fellow small business or artist. Call or text us if you'd like to discuss this reward (732-945-0190).
We will promote your brand by handing out your flyer to 700 people who visit our Covid-19 testing site in Central New Jersey and sharing positive words about your brand with them. If you have other ideas, please call us to discuss and we are happy to add it as a reward.
We will also announce your support on our company and personal Instagram, and TikToks.
We will not be promoting Fortune 100 brands and your brand must be accessible (i.e. not a Rolls Royce-- ideally a small business or startup or artist). Call or text us if you'd like to discuss this reward (732-945-0190).
With these funds, we will be able to test 100 restaurant or grocery staff and teachers for Covid-19 for free!!!
We will contact you to see how we can thank you for this incredible gift for Genophyll Labs and the Central New Jersey community.
We will feature you and/or your business on our website, thank you on all of our socials, post a photo of you in our lab, and promote your business at our sample collection site for the next 12 months.
Certify as a woman, minority or small business from the SBA.
The federal government uses special programs to help small businesses win at least 23 percent of all federal contracting dollars each year. Most of the times, you need to certify as a small business before you can apply for these opportunities.
Founder of Genophyll Labs, Aditi Luthra, will walk you through and sit with you throughout the process of certifying your business as a woman, minority or small business. We will use the following website to self-certify, which is free: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs…
Make sure your business qualifies before signing up: https://www.sba.gov/size-standards
Rewards
Fund a Covid-19 test. Any amount. Regardless of whether or not you choose a reward, every $100 we receive will go towards sponsoring a free Covid-19 test for grocery staff, restaurant staff, or a teacher in the State of New Jersey.
Contributions can be anonymous by writing a different name or nickname when asked for your name at checkout.
Nominate a restaurant, grocery or teaching staff member in Central New Jersey that we should email with information about obtaining free workplace surveillance Covid-19 testing.
Please nominate someone in Central NJ.
Comedic Song by Abby Feldman*
Abby will dedicate a song to you, a loved one, a liked one...
Note, if you are a business and would like Abby to make a fun video about your brand, please contribute $100 in the "Monetary Contribution" and include "Abby Business Video" in the comments.
How it works:
- Give Abby a topic or information about who you're dedicating the song to
- Abby will send you the song clip & post it on instagram
- Join thousands in collective laughter and (promote your business if applicable)
Abby Feldman (@abbyfeldman)
👩🍳 stand up, songs, comedy news
⭐️ Netflix’s The Fix, Adult Swim’s Soft Focus, JFL New Faces
💡Fulbright Scholar
📣 life is amazing👇
Authentic Indian Cooking Lesson with Aditi's mom, aunt, sister or father!
Learn step-by-step how to cook a traditional Indian meal & a few Hindi phrases in the process! Attend alone, with a friend, or make it a date!
- Choose the dish you want to make, such as:
- Tadka Dal (Yellow Lentil Soup) with basmati rice
- Chicken/Paneer Tikka Masala with basmati rice
- Saag Paneer (spiced spinach with cottage cheese) with basmati rice
- Indian bread (e.g. roti, parantha)
- Your choice!
- We will let you know what ingredients/spices you will need to buy and whether certain ingredients need to be soaked overnight
- During the session, we will guide you through cooking your chosen dish step-by-step and provide tricks you won't find in a textbook
- We will send you the recording of our live session
- We will give you a phone number to call or text next time you're cooking Indian food for advice!
- Receive Indian brand recs for snacks & food mixes
- Learn and practice a few Hindi word/phrases
If you prefer not to have a live session, but rather follow a pre-recorded session, we are happy to do that as well!
Self-Expression through Dance, a dance class by Amita Batra
Amita, founder of arts initiative Boundless by Amita, is a story-driven choreographer formally trained in Kathak & contemporary dance with a goal to exemplify one thing: art is as infinite as the human spirit.
As a student of this class, you will not only be exposed to a diverse range of dance techniques, but you will importantly learn how to use your own body to express your own emotions & tell the stories that lie within you.
When you purchase this reward, you will have access to one of two dance lessons. These lessons will also be recorded for those who cannot attend or who wish to practice.
Two live, 1.5 hour sessions:
1. March 7 at 11 AM CST
2. March 28 at 11 AM CST
or we will send you the recording if you cannot make it to a session.
8 Week Fit and Lean Program graciously sponsored by Fit Kaur, certified personal trainer & founder of @brown_girls_rising.
What is included?
- Home, outdoor, and gym workouts scalable from beginner to advanced
- Goal-specific 8 week training program broken into progressive training phases
- In-depth video tutorials on 25+ exercises integrated into the training program
- Up to 5 days of workouts for all body parts
- Healthy Habits Guide
- Exclusive Facebook support community
- Check out Fit Kaur on Instagram: @fit.kaur
Nominate a small business restaurant, grocery store, or a school in Central New Jersey that we should reach out to for free testing. We will reach out to them!
Please nominate someone in Central NJ.
Learn how to turn your business or platform into a social campaign that leaves a magnetizing impact on your audience.
One Creative Success Coaching Session with LibertasYOU founder, Daisy O'Bryan. For artists, founders, businesses, and freelancers.
How it Works:
- You will receive preparation work to complete before your session
- During your session, you will focus on Step #1 of the Libertas You method (purpose identification and discovery)
- Learn how to turn your business or platform into a social campaign that leaves a magnetizing impact on your audience
Learn more about the LibertasYOU method at www.libertasyou.com
Daisy O’Bryan has been trained with the top business coaches in the world on the importance of having a purpose behind all of your decisions in building your brand and career. She takes a business approach to the creative world. Her passion lies in building up creative individuals and businesses that she truly sees the potential in.
Learn more about the LibertasYOU method at www.libertasyou.com
A 30-minute career coaching session with a partner and consultant at IBM, a Fortune 100 technology company.
How it Works:
- After you purchase this award, you will be sent a questionnaire that will help you get the most out of your session.
- Come prepared with a career situation to talk about, whether it be how to advance your career, getting promoted, job hunting or networking.
- Enjoy a candid conversation with an experienced professional and walk away with encouragement and confidence on next steps for your advancing your career!
Thorough resume-review or cover-letter review by someone who's gone through the job application process successfully numerous times!
Includes:
1. One Resume or Cover Letter Phone/Video Call Discussion (please send your draft prior to discussion)
2. Two rounds of resume or cover letter edits via track changes
Sessions conducted by Aditi Luthra or one of her trusted friends/family members.
An all-inclusive, comprehensive, job hunting support experience.
We will put our all into supporting you as you navigate the next (or first!) step in your career. And, if you're feeling stuck, these sessions will get you rolling!
What's included:
1. 1 hour rigorous, hands-on, resume editing session
2. 30 minute cover letter discussion followed by 2 rounds of cover letter edits via Google docs or email
3. 45 minutes of mock interviews or extra time on your resume/cover letter
4. Warm introductions to at least 2 people in your desired industry
Questions about this package? Email [email protected]
Each portion of the above is with different professionals who have successfully gone through the job hunting process multiple times and have helped others in their journey as well.
We will promote your brand (personal or business) by handing out your flyer and saying positive words about your brand to 300 people who visit our Covid-19 testing site in Central New Jersey. If you have other ideas, please call us to discuss and we are happy to add it as a reward.
We will not be promoting Fortune 100 brands and your brand must be accessible (i.e. not a Rolls Royce)- ideally a fellow small business or artist. Call or text us if you'd like to discuss this reward (732-945-0190).
We will promote your brand by handing out your flyer to 700 people who visit our Covid-19 testing site in Central New Jersey and sharing positive words about your brand with them. If you have other ideas, please call us to discuss and we are happy to add it as a reward.
We will also announce your support on our company and personal Instagram, and TikToks.
We will not be promoting Fortune 100 brands and your brand must be accessible (i.e. not a Rolls Royce-- ideally a small business or startup or artist). Call or text us if you'd like to discuss this reward (732-945-0190).
With these funds, we will be able to test 100 restaurant or grocery staff and teachers for Covid-19 for free!!!
We will contact you to see how we can thank you for this incredible gift for Genophyll Labs and the Central New Jersey community.
We will feature you and/or your business on our website, thank you on all of our socials, post a photo of you in our lab, and promote your business at our sample collection site for the next 12 months.
Certify as a woman, minority or small business from the SBA.
The federal government uses special programs to help small businesses win at least 23 percent of all federal contracting dollars each year. Most of the times, you need to certify as a small business before you can apply for these opportunities.
Founder of Genophyll Labs, Aditi Luthra, will walk you through and sit with you throughout the process of certifying your business as a woman, minority or small business. We will use the following website to self-certify, which is free: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs…
Make sure your business qualifies before signing up: https://www.sba.gov/size-standards