Meet the SpotitEarly Team: Innovators Behind Breath-Based Cancer Detection

SpotitEarly is more than just a company. We’re a team united by a shared objective: to transform cancer detection and bring hope to patients worldwide. Our pioneering approach — combining the natural sensitivity of canine olfaction with cutting-edge AI technology — represents a significant advance in cancer screening. But behind every breakthrough is a group of dedicated individuals whose expertise, passion and skill make it all possible.

Our team brings together an unrivaled blend of skills across clinical research, technology and laboratory operations. It also, of course, includes the dogs whose extraordinary sense of smell underpins our work and drives SpotitEarly’s success.

Roi Ophir, Chairman and Co-founder of SpotitEarly, is clear on the team’s uniqueness: “I think that SpotitEarly is the only company in the world where you get to work with dog trainers, data scientists, hardware engineers and zoologists every day. Most importantly, everyone brings their unique expertise to the table and works together to find the best way forward.”

In this post, we’re proud to introduce some of the amazing people behind SpotitEarly. Their unique stories and skills showcase the diverse expertise driving our mission to save lives.

Let’s meet some of the team!

Roi Ophir, Chairman and Co-founder

Roi is a tech entrepreneur, investor, and business executive who brings a wealth of expertise and entrepreneurial spirit to SpotitEarly. Since 2007, his career has focused on AI-driven solutions, exploring how to harness their power to disrupt industries, drive positive change, and improve lives.

His journey with SpotitEarly began after being inspired by a BBC programme about cancer-detection dogs, which revealed their extraordinary ability to sense the odor signatures of cancer and other medical conditions. This curiosity led him to reconnect with three old friends: a former K9 unit commander, a health-tech entrepreneur, and a pioneering technology unit leader, to establish SpotitEarly. Combining their diverse skills in science, technology, and business, the team set out to merge AI with canine olfaction to create a breakthrough approach to cancer screening.

“The most exciting thing about SpotitEarly is the idea that by fusing the powers of nature and technology, we can unlock transformative potential, saving lives through accurate, accessible and affordable cancer screening,” Roi shares. “I’m driven by the belief that our work can expand screening adoption both in developed markets and in underserved regions, making a real difference in global healthcare. Our non-invasive test not only enables early cancer detection but also opens the door to diagnosing other medical conditions in the future. This vision inspires me every day as we continue to advance our technology and improve health outcomes worldwide.”

Dr. Shlomi Madar, CEO

Shlomi Madar leads SpotitEarly as its CEO, bringing a deep-rooted passion for cancer research and a vision for transforming early detection. With extensive experience in scaling businesses and engaging with key stakeholders, Dr. Madar plays a pivotal role in steering the company’s strategic direction. He has been instrumental in planning SpotitEarly’s expansion into the U.S. market, raising funding and forging relationships with investors, research institutes and clinical partners. His leadership is focused on ensuring the company’s innovative solutions can scale globally and positively impact healthcare outcomes.

“What inspires me most is the possibility of combining nature’s power with advanced technology to make a real impact on people’s lives,” Udi comments. “Our non-invasive test for cancer screening can address accessibility issues and help save lives globally. By focusing on early detection, we’re reshaping healthcare to be more proactive, less invasive and ultimately more effective.”

Udi Bobrovsky, COO and Co-founder

As COO and co-founder of SpotitEarly, Udi Bobrovsky oversees the daily operations of the company, ensuring its strategic goals are met efficiently. With a strong background in tech entrepreneurship and digital health products, Udi’s expertise is essential in navigating the complexities of running a groundbreaking startup. His trusted relationship with co-founder Roi Ophir and a shared belief in the transformative potential of SpotitEarly’s technology brought him on board to help build and grow the company.

“What inspires me most is the possibility of combining nature’s power with advanced technology to make a real impact on people’s lives,” Udi comments. “Our non-invasive test for cancer screening can address accessibility issues and help save lives globally. By focusing on early detection, we’re reshaping healthcare to be more proactive, less invasive and ultimately more effective.”

Len Lichtenfeld, MD MACP - Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Lichtenfeld brings decades of expertise in cancer screening, health policy, and medical community engagement to SpotitEarly. As Chief Medical Officer, he offers strategic guidance on clinical pathways and helps build connections that advance the company’s mission. With a career devoted to improving patient outcomes, Dr. Lichtenfeld’s role at SpotitEarly reflects his commitment to making healthcare more accessible and effective through innovation.

“I joined SpotitEarly because of its commitment to democratizing cancer detection,” says Dr. Lichtenfeld. “Our work has the potential to break down barriers in access to early screening, which can significantly impact survival rates and quality of life for patients around the world. This mission aligns perfectly with my lifelong dedication to advancing cancer care.”

Amir Lifshitz, Senior VP, Operations

Amir Lifshitz oversees SpotitEarly’s product development and operational processes, ensuring seamless integration from sample collection to AI-powered data analysis. His work includes managing the LUCID platform and coordinating workflows across the company’s innovative detection process. With expertise in operational efficiency, Amir ensures SpotitEarly can scale its impact without sacrificing quality or accuracy.

“What inspires me most about SpotitEarly is its blend of cutting-edge science and nature-based innovation,” says Amir. “We’re bridging the gap between science fiction and reality by creating solutions that integrate into people’s lives effortlessly. This work has the potential to change healthcare and improve lives on a global scale.”

Asaf Ruf, VP R&D

With a background in hardware engineering and cutting-edge technology, Asaf plays a crucial role in integrating the biological and technological aspects of SpotitEarly’s detection process. His expertise supports the seamless collaboration between canine olfaction, VOC analysis, and AI-driven insights, ensuring the company’s innovations are both practical and scalable.

Asaf comments, “What excites me most about working at SpotitEarly is the commitment to breaking new ground in cancer detection. We’re not just improving existing systems; we’re exploring an entirely new frontier that could remake global healthcare. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a team that’s so dedicated to making a difference.”

Tal Shaharabany, Lead AI Development

As SpotitEarly’s AI Lead, Tal drives the development of advanced data science models that enhance the company’s diagnostic accuracy. His work involves building AI systems that refine canine detection signals, analyze complex datasets and continuously improve SpotitEarly’s detection capabilities. His focus on innovation ensures the company stays ahead of the curve in its mission to transform early cancer screening.

“SpotitEarly has the potential to be the OpenAI of early cancer detection,” says Tal. “I’m inspired by our ability to harness vast data sets, develop smarter models and use AI to improve global healthcare outcomes. We’re building a foundation that has the power to redefine how cancer screening works.”

Dr. Irit Gazit - Director of Canine Applied Research

Dr. Gazit leads SpotitEarly’s canine training program, bringing extensive expertise in behavioral conditioning to prepare the dogs for their crucial role in cancer detection. Her work ensures that the dogs are trained to accurately identify cancer-related odors with speed and precision, forming a critical component of the company’s diagnostic pipeline.

“I’m constantly inspired by the dogs’ incredible abilities and eagerness to learn,” says Dr. Gazit. “Our work showcases the remarkable synergy between nature and technology, enabling early disease detection that saves lives. It’s an honor to be part of a team that’s making such a meaningful impact.”

Dr. Reef Einoch Amor - Director of Chemical Analysis

Dr. Amor oversees SpotitEarly’s chemical analysis processes, ensuring the accuracy and robustness of the data provided to our canine partners and AI system. From developing sample kits to refining VOC analysis techniques, Reef’s contributions are foundational to the company’s ability to deliver reliable diagnostic results.

“The idea that we can transform healthcare with a system that’s replicable and accessible worldwide motivates me every day,” she says. “Our innovative approach to early detection has the power to bridge gaps in global healthcare and make a lasting difference in the fight against cancer.”

At SpotitEarly, we believe that innovation is driven by people — by their expertise, their ideas and their dedication to creating a healthier future. These incredible individuals are at the heart of everything we do. Together, we’re building a world where early cancer detection isn’t just a possibility but a reality, giving patients and healthcare providers the tools they need to improve early cancer detection and screening.

If you’d like to find out more about the full SpotitEarly team, click here.