Newman Graduate wins $32K for healthcare in innovation

Nick Vasilescu ’23 became the first Newman University student to compete in the final round of the Shocker New Venture Competition at Wichita State University.

When his team did not place in 2023, he re-entered the competition in 2024. His product pitch, Testkey, won a first-place prize of $25,000 to develop its biotechnology, plus an additional $7,500 for winning the WSU innovation award.

Testkey is a rapid, accessible diagnostic test for Long COVID, a disease that affects one in nine people and is distinct from acute COVID. Using saliva, the patent-pending Testkey device can quickly screen and test, delivering the results “right to your fingertips.”

“Testkey will help millions, so for the judges to recognize that was quite incredible,” he said.