An Interactive Smell Test with Global Impact with Dr. Derek Toomre of U-Smell-It

In this episode, Stephanie Feuer and Mindy Yang of the World Taste & Smell Association speak with Dr. Derek Toomre, a Yale scientist, Professor, and inventor whose work helped transform smell testing from an inaccessible clinical tool into a global public-health innovation. Derek’s company, U-Smell-It, created the world’s first low-cost, open-source smell-testing kit, designed to democratize olfactory diagnostics for both clinical and community use. What began as a rapid response to COVID-19 has become a vital resource for sensory health, research, and education — empowering anyone to test their sense of smell at home. We explore how U-Smell-It works, why smell is such a powerful indicator of health, and how tools like this are changing the way we understand human perception. You can now order U-Smell-It directly from the World Taste & Smell Association at TasteAndSmell.org. This partnership ensures that everyone — from patients to researchers — can participate in advancing the science of taste and smell. Highlights & Key Topics The origin story of U-Smell-It during the early pandemic Why smell loss is often the first sign of illness — and a vital window into neurological health How open-source design can drive equity and innovation in sensory science Derek’s vision for the future of smell testing and sensory diagnostics About WTSA The World Taste & Smell Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing sensory science, education, and public awareness. Through research, storytelling, and innovation, WTSA bridges the gap between science and human experience — helping people rediscover the power of taste and smell in daily life. Learn more and support our work at TasteAndSmell.org.