Meet Founder Chandler Monk, PhD
When Chandler Monk, PhD, first sat down for coffee with NOBIC Executive Director Kris Khalil, Cleaved Diagnostics didn’t exist yet. She had an idea, a passion for maternal and infant health, and a background in virology. That early conversation turned into years of research and planning that is now backed by a Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Cleaved Diagnostics (Cleaved Dx) very own lab here at NOBIC!
Cleaved is working to transform newborn screening through a rapid point-of-care test for Congenital Cytomegalovirus, or CMV. CMV is one of the most common infections in infants and can lead to lifelong health problems like hearing loss, developmental delays, and neurological issues. It’s treatable if caught early, but current tests are expensive, slow, and often miss nearly a third of cases. Monk and her team are working to change that. Early results indicate their enzyme-based diagnostic is faster and more sensitive, while eliminating complex laboratory equipment increasing affordability. Overcoming these barriers makes it easier to implement universal CMV screening at birth, getting newborns the treatment they need when it matters most.
Monk’s vision for Cleaved was sparked in part by long hours of processing hundreds of patient samples every week during the COVID pandemic. During that time, it became clear just how critical accessible diagnostics and telehealth solutions are for patients. It pushed her to build tools that can meet people where they are, especially in places with limited access to care.
The name Cleaved Diagnostics (Cleaved Dx) is rooted in the science the company is advancing. The CRISPR enzyme Monk’s team uses “cleaves” DNA when it detects CMV in a sample. It’s a concise action verb that reflects how their technology works, and “Dx” is shorthand in the medical world for diagnostics, making the name both meaningful and approachable.
Originally from Virginia, Monk came to New Orleans to get her doctorate at Tulane in the lab of Dr. Kevin Zwezdaryk, where this diagnostic was developed. She could have left after that, but something about the startup community here, the way people showed up for each other, made her want to stay. She chose to build her company in New Orleans because of that sense of commitment and collaboration. It’s shaped Cleaved’s path ever since.
Outside of work, Monk remains an avid soccer player after playing for Northwestern State University. The same grit, strategy, and teamwork show up in how she leads her company. And just like her early days at NOBIC, she knows that innovation doesn’t always start with a pitch deck or a lab. Sometimes it starts with an idea, a cup of coffee, and the right people who believe in you from the beginning.
To learn more visit Cleaved’s website: https://www.cleaveddx.com/