Robby Sikka
Dr. Robby Sikka is an innovator in technology, healthcare, sports, and analytics. He is the founder and chair of the COVID Sports and Society Workgroup. This group has brought together all professional sports leagues, the White House, CDC, FDA, Broadway, leading technology companies, and the top labs and scientists in the country. This group helped to develop SalivaDirect, the first EUA open-source platform ever created. SalivaDirect disrupted the testing industry and is the cheapest and most accessible COVID test in the world. It has been performed in over 100 labs and nearly 40 states with millions of tests performed for less than $20. Dr. Sikka continues to serve on its Board. He also oversaw the state-wide pro sports task force and worked with the Minnesota State Department of Health and Governor’s Office to develop testing and vaccination protocols throughout the state. His work has been featured on CNN, ESPN, CNBC, Forbes, and Sports Illustrated, among others. Robby is also the Senior Principal Consultant at Tonal, developing innovative healthcare solutions for the company and overseeing its COVID response, and developing its healthcare product line. He also oversees the integration of medicine, technology, nutrition, player development, analytics, and strength and conditioning with the goal of improving performance and player wellness for the Denver Broncos. His creative methods seek to help players improve performance, reduce injury risk, and optimize return to play strategies. In addition to his Tonal and Broncos duties, Dr. Sikka is the founder and CEO of Sports Medicine Analytics Research Team (SMART), an organization that has continued to assist numerous NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL clubs with injury data, return to play planning, and player evaluation and development. He previously served as the Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Wellness, and the Vice President of Basketball Performance and Technology for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He also served as a consultant to the Minnesota Vikings for 5 seasons and the Washington Wizards for 3 seasons. He also served on the NBA Sports Science Committee and has consulted with numerous organizations on their response to COVID.
From 2014-2019, Dr. Sikka was regional medical director for Anesthesia Management Solutions, serving the Midwest/Southwest U.S. region. He previously served as the associate director of data analytics for Mayo Clinic Sports and lead clinical research scientist for Tria Orthopaedic Center. Sikka has published more than 50 peer-reviewed manuscripts, many on return to play after injury, and his research has been presented at dozens of national and international sports analytics and sports medicine meetings.
Dr. Sikka attended the University of Pennsylvania for his undergraduate studies and USC Keck School of Medicine for medical school. After graduating with honors at both schools, Sikka completed an anesthesiology residency at the University of Minnesota with a special interest in sports, physiology, and technology. He was named a Rising Star in Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine in 2016, 2017, and 2018 in anesthesiology, and was named to the 40 Under 40 list by Minneapolis/St Paul Business Journal in 2017. A native of Minnesota, Sikka resides in Orono with his wife, Simran, and their daughters, Gia and Liv.