From founding the Duke Clinical Research Institute to guiding the FDA through the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Califf brings a rare perspective on how science becomes medicine—and how policy, politics, and evidence shape what ultimately reaches patients. He reflects on the early days of cardiology breakthroughs, the birth of large-scale clinical trials, and the responsibility regulators carry in balancing innovation with safety.

The conversation explores translational medicine, the realities of uncertainty in public health, the evolving role of AI in healthcare, and the global competition shaping the future of biomedical innovation. At its core, this episode is about decision-making under pressure—and the systems required to ensure that groundbreaking ideas translate into measurable benefit for patients.

Kate shares how a childhood love of science fiction shaped her path into synthetic biology and explains the idea of “life but not alive,” highlighting how synthetic cells differ from traditional genetic engineering. She also discusses the shift from academic discovery to entrepreneurship through Synlife, the challenges of scaling entirely new biological platforms, and the regulatory questions ahead.

The conversation explores how programmable synthetic cells could transform medicine, manufacturing, sustainability, and even space exploration — while raising profound scientific and ethical questions about humanity’s growing ability to design life itself.

Formerly a professor at the University of Ottawa, Andrew founded the Pelling Lab for Augmented Biology, an unconventional research environment where scientists and artists explored how physical forces—rather than genetic manipulation—shape cellular behavior. His approach focuses on stretching, compressing, and reshaping cells to unlock new biological possibilities.

Andrew shares how his background in the arts shaped his scientific intuition, why curiosity-driven research led from grocery-store experiments to restoring movement in paralyzed rats, and how that breakthrough ultimately inspired the founding of Spiderwort. Along the way, he reflects on failure, leadership, and building imaginative teams—offering a compelling vision for how augmented biology could transform regenerative medicine and human health.

Christy shares her journey from early roles in economic development to becoming a driving force behind one of the most respected university innovation engines in the country. Over the course of her career, she has worked at the intersection of research, startups, investors, and institutions—designing systems that help founders navigate the path from lab bench to market.

Throughout the conversation, Christy breaks down what actually enables scientific founders to succeed: access to capital, shared infrastructure, mentorship, regulatory fluency, and—most importantly—people who understand both science and company-building. She reflects on lessons learned from supporting hundreds of startups, the importance of founder readiness, and why universities must evolve beyond tech transfer to remain competitive.

This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the systems, strategies, and collaborative effort that make it possible to turn groundbreaking research into thriving companies.

Before launching Clarix, Xiao spent more than a decade as a medical physics researcher and faculty member at the University of Chicago, developing advanced tomographic imaging technologies and collaborating closely with radiologists, surgeons, and pathologists. His journey—from physics student to inventor to CEO—was shaped by a deep curiosity, an engineering mindset, and a passion for translating scientific breakthroughs into tools that directly improve patient care. 

Xiao shares the pivotal experience inside a pathology lab that made him leave academia to start Clarix, how the company achieved FDA clearance in under 18 months, and why multidisciplinary collaboration is the key to accelerating innovation. He also offers an inside look into how Clarix’s VSI-360 platform is redefining breast cancer surgery and opening the door to a new standard of real-time intraoperative imaging across multiple specialties. 

Throughout the conversation, Xiao reflects on leadership, translational research, the power of seeing technology used in the OR, and his vision for the future of precision surgery. 

Dr. Leventhal shares his journey from growing up in New York City to becoming one of the foremost leaders in transplant surgery and cell therapy innovation. He discusses how his team’s groundbreaking clinical work has shown that tolerance can be achieved through cellular therapies, potentially freeing patients from the burdens of chronic immunosuppression.

From the early days of cyclosporine to founding TRACT Therapeutics and developing first-in-human T-regulatory cell therapies, Joe reflects on the scientific curiosity, resilience, and collaboration that drive progress in a complex field. He also explores the evolving ecosystem for biotech innovation in Chicago, the challenges of translating academic research into clinical therapies, and the optimism surrounding the next generation of precision cell therapies.

Chris shares how a developer’s vision—rooted in collaboration and community impact—can drive economic growth and scientific progress. From transforming New Brunswick into a model for public-private partnerships to spearheading HELIX NJ, a $1.6 billion health and life sciences hub developed with Rutgers, Princeton, Nokia Bell Labs, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, and Portal Innovations, Chris offers an insider’s view of how cities can evolve into thriving innovation ecosystems. 

Throughout the conversation, he reflects on lessons learned from decades of civic development, the importance of “creative collisions” between academia and industry, and why long-term success depends on patience, partnerships, and purpose. 

Before entering the world of finance and innovation, Todd spent over eight years as a Navy SEAL, an experience that continues to shape his approach to leadership, resilience, and decision-making under uncertainty. He reflects on how lessons from special operations translate to biotech—whether in adapting strategy, managing risk, or building strong teams. 

Throughout the conversation, Todd shares his perspectives on today’s life sciences landscape, the parallels between entrepreneurship and combat training, and the importance of mentorship and resilience in the face of uncertainty. He also opens up about his mother’s cancer journey, which inspires his commitment to supporting companies working to advance treatments and improve patient outcomes. 

After three years in Boston as President of the Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Goto returned to Japan with a new perspective: science alone is not enough. To turn breakthroughs into therapies, Japan must embrace open innovation—building stronger connections between academia, startups, industry, and global partners. 

In this conversation, he reflects on the differences between Boston’s high-functioning life sciences cluster and Japan’s emerging ecosystem, the mission of SakuLab in Tsukuba, and the importance of fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among Japanese scientists. He also shares why now is a pivotal moment, with government funding, global partnerships, and new programs like the SakuLab Startup Bootcamp aligning to spark a new generation of biotech founders in Japan. 

From his first shocking diagnosis of multiple myeloma in his late thirties to the cutting-edge therapies like CAR T-cell treatment that have sustained him two decades later, Jonathan’s journey reflects both the fragility and resilience of the human spirit. Along the way, he shares how writing helped him process uncertainty, why patient storytelling matters for science and society, and what lessons living “one stone at a time across the river” can offer to entrepreneurs, innovators, and anyone facing the unknown. 

Together, they explore how science, entrepreneurship, and storytelling are coming together to change the way we age. From wearable diagnostics and remote rehab to system-level thinking around healthcare access and loneliness, this conversation dives deep into one of the most human and pressing frontiers in tech: aging well. 

Jeff shares how personal experience led him to create AgeTech Connect, now the largest national community of agetech innovators, while Daniel unpacks the science behind joint degeneration and how companies like Arthroba are using real-time metrics to personalize therapy and improve mobility.

From launching an AI-driven robotic bartender startup to leading new growth initiatives at Cox Communications, Donnie’s career has spanned entrepreneurship, tech, and economic development. Now, in his role with the City of Atlanta, he’s helping shape the region’s future by uniting startups, corporations, universities, and investors to fuel Atlanta’s rise as a national tech hub. 

In this episode of Lab Rats to Unicorns, John Flavin is joined by Dr. Kate Rubins, NASA astronaut, microbiologist, Army Major, and the first person to sequence DNA in space. With a PhD in cancer biology from Stanford and groundbreaking research on viruses like Ebola and smallpox, Dr. Rubins has spent her career at the intersection of biology, innovation, and exploration.

From her early work in infectious disease labs to running her own research facility in the Democratic Republic of Congo—and ultimately conducting over 200 experiments aboard the International Space Station—Dr. Rubins exemplifies what happens when science meets mission.

In this episode, Kate reflects on her path to becoming an astronaut (spoiler: she applied as a joke), what it’s like to conduct molecular biology experiments in microgravity, and how the constraints of space research are driving innovation in diagnostics, biotech, and health access on Earth.

At a time when NIH funding is under political pressure, Sebelius offers a powerful defense of continued public investment in biomedical science. She argues that undermining NIH not only risks slowing innovation but jeopardizes America’s global leadership in medicine, biotechnology, and economic competitiveness. 

Whether you're a policymaker, entrepreneur, or scientist, this conversation reveals why bipartisan support for public health infrastructure and regulatory expertise is more important than ever—and how real progress depends on collaboration across sectors. 

This conversation comes on the heels of Grove’s massive $30M Series A. Geoff shares the story behind Grove Biopharma’s founding, born from a collaboration between a Northwestern chemist, a green chemistry innovator, and himself—culminating in a startup focused on intracellular targets using novel protein-mimetic polymers. Geoff also reflects on the infrastructure and cultural foundations that make biotech innovation possible, from the NIH’s visionary investments to the importance of people, timing, and place. Learn how Grove is challenging the limits of drug design with a new class of molecules that behave like antibodies but operate inside cells—unlocking new frontiers in cancer and beyond. 

Together, they explore the unique challenges and opportunities of building biotech companies from academic and clinical environments. Dr. Goudy shares his journey from surgeon to entrepreneur, detailing how his NIH-funded research led to Oridivus—an Atlanta-based startup developing a first-in-class therapy for oral wound healing. Ashley offers a deep dive into her time with the Georgia Research Alliance and how that experience informs her current work supporting early-stage companies through venture development and infrastructure at Portal.

The conversation also highlights the Innovation Certificate Program, a joint initiative between Emory and Portal designed to equip clinicians and researchers with the tools to bring ideas to market. With stories of resilience, creativity, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, this episode paints a vivid picture of a region on the rise—powered by talent, mission-driven startups, and a growing network of support.

Listen as Dr. Madabhushi shares his personal journey, from his early education in biomedical engineering in India to his pivotal research in digital pathology in the United States. He recounts the experiences, including the loss of his aunt to breast cancer, that fueled his determination to find better ways to diagnose and treat this devastating disease. Discover how the advent of digital pathology, combined with sophisticated machine learning algorithms, has enabled his team to extract unprecedented insights from tissue slides, going beyond traditional diagnostics to predict disease aggressiveness, prognosis, and even response to therapies like immunotherapy. 

Dr. Madabhushi also discusses the crucial mission of the Emory Empathetic AI for Health Institute: to ensure that the benefits of AI in healthcare reach all populations, particularly those historically marginalized and underserved globally. He highlights the importance of developing technologies that are not only cutting-edge but also accessible and affordable in diverse healthcare settings. Learn about the challenges and triumphs of translating academic research into impactful commercial solutions through his entrepreneurial ventures. This episode offers a fascinating look into the convergence of AI, medicine, and a deep-seated commitment to improving patient care worldwide. 

In this episode of Lab Rats to Unicorns, Anh shares his journey from clinical practice to biotech entrepreneurship, detailing the pivotal moments that led him to launch and lead innovative startups. He also reflects on his time working within the FDA and CMS, offering insider insights into the regulatory landscape and how policies like the 21st Century Cures Act shape the future of drug development. 

Beyond biotech, Anh discusses the parallels between endurance sports—he's completed multiple Ironman triathlons—and the perseverance required to navigate the highs and lows of building a biotech company.  

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a scientist, or just fascinated by the future of medicine, this conversation dives deep into the challenges, breakthroughs, and leadership lessons that define the evolving world of life sciences. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on resilience, innovation, and the drive to improve patient care through cutting-edge science and strategic execution. 

Dede dives into the mission of Orbit Genomics, exploring how they’re harnessing the potential of “junk DNA” to revolutionize cancer detection and save lives. She also opens up about the challenges of securing funding in the diagnostics space, the importance of fostering team diversity, and the pivotal role government programs like ARPA-H and Cancer Moonshot play in advancing healthcare innovation. 

Through thoughtful storytelling and actionable insights, Dede reveals how diagnostics can complement therapeutics, why collaboration is essential to progress, and how startups can thrive by embracing resilience and adaptability. This episode is an inspiring testament to the power of persistence, innovation, and building bridges in science and beyond.

Gabe shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship, founding Glimpse Bio and Port Therapeutics to bring life-saving technologies from the lab to the market. He delves into the transformative potential of synthetic immunity and his work on the Cancer Moonshot initiative, which aims to create an activity-based cancer atlas and advance multi-cancer early detection. 

In this candid conversation, Gabe reflects on the importance of mentorship, the power of community spaces like Science Square in Atlanta, and the challenges of aligning science with market demands. Tune in to hear how Gabe is driving innovation, building bridges in the biotech ecosystem, and training the next generation of entrepreneurial researchers. This episode is an inspiring look at the intersection of science, innovation, and the human drive to make a difference. 

As the founder of To Cure a Rose Foundation, Everlum Bio, and Chrysalis Genetics, Casey is revolutionizing the way treatments for rare diseases are approached. In this conversation, he shares how his experiences as an artist helped him find innovative ways to connect, problem-solve, and advocate for change in biotech. Casey’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, collaboration, and the unwavering love of a parent determined to make a difference. 

Join us as Casey discusses his transition from music to medicine, the importance of collaboration in rare disease research, and how he’s working to create scalable solutions for patient communities that have been overlooked for far too long. This episode is an inspiring exploration of how passion and creativity can drive impact in even the most unexpected arenas. 

Through resilience and collaboration, Julia mobilized a global network of scientists, regulators, and supporters to create a treatment that set a precedent for a new approach in medicine. Beyond her daughter’s story, Julia reflects on the systemic barriers families face when accessing life-saving treatments and how her foundation is addressing these challenges. She explores the future of healthcare, advocating for changes to regulatory and reimbursement models to scale access to innovative therapies for rare disease communities. Julia’s pioneering work is a testament to the power of advocacy, science, and the unwavering determination of a mother to spark a revolution in medicine. 

Key Topics:

• Jochen’s transition from Germany to the U.S. and his research in nephrology 
• Founding and commercializing Walden Biosciences for kidney disease 
• Leading UTMB as President and fostering innovation 
• Balancing clinical care, research, and education in healthcare 
• Collaboration and team-building in the biotechnology sector 

In this episode, Steve and Jeremy share their insights into the relay race of innovation—from the "aha" moments in the lab to creating groundbreaking companies with global impact. They delve into the evolution of innovation ecosystems and how tools like Stargaze allow us to plant the seeds for future growth by identifying emerging clusters and talents.

Through vivid metaphors and real-world examples, Steve and Jeremy illuminate the complex process of turning cutting-edge science into lifesaving treatments and products. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned scientist, or simply curious about the future of biotech, this episode is packed with inspiration and wisdom from those at the forefront of scientific discovery.

He explores the enriching intersection of disciplines, particularly between art and science, emphasizing how such fusions drive innovation. Personal inspirations, including influential mentors, books, and events, are shared to illustrate his life philosophy and career decisions. Dr. Massey also delves into the cultural and community aspects of science, discussing the responsibilities of educators and leaders in shaping the future of scientific innovation for greater social impact. 

Tony also discusses his bestselling books, "Climbing the Right Mountain" and "Campfire Lessons for Leaders," where he delves into finding fulfillment in the journey rather than the destination. He highlights the significance of embracing a beginner's mind, encouraging leaders to ask questions and remain open to new ideas. Through meaningful anecdotes and practical advice, Tony illustrates how leaders can unlock their true potential and inspire their teams. Join us for an inspiring conversation that explores the transformative power of curiosity and the impact of compassionate leadership in driving innovation and success.

Throughout his diverse career, Solomon has been a prominent figure across broadcast television and radio, notably as a game analyst for CBS Sports and a contributor to the NFL Network. His broad experience includes roles as a studio analyst and sideline reporter, covering major events such as multiple Super Bowls and NCAA basketball tournaments. Shifting focus from sports, Solomon now plays a crucial role in health communications as the leader of the Sports-Health Division at Russo Partners LLC. In this capacity, he spearheads initiatives like "Huddle Up for New Alzheimer's Treatments," which has dramatically increased enrollment in clinical trials. His efforts also involve creating content that links biotech innovations with a wider audience, further illustrating his profound impact across both the sports and health sectors.

• Sarah Hein, the visionary founding CEO of March Biosciences, a trailblazer in clinical-stage cell-therapy, with a rich background in cancer therapeutics and antibody therapeutics platform technologies. 
• Rahul Aras, a dedicated executive with a robust 15+ years in the pharma/biotech sector, currently leading the charge in early-stage technology advancement and business development, recognized for his role at Iterion Therapeutics. 
• Michael Torres, an entrepreneur with a fervent mission to turn science into medicine, leveraging his experience in biotech company formation and equity research to make significant strides at Crossbridge Biotech. 

Together, they delve into the dynamics of Houston's biotech ecosystem, sharing their unique perspectives on innovation, the challenges of startup culture, and the path forward in transforming patient care. 

Dr. Jeff Karp is a renowned figure in the biotechnology sector, known for his groundbreaking work and innovative approaches in the field. With a career that bridges both academic research and industry application, Dr. Karp has been at the forefront of developing cutting-edge biotechnological solutions to some of healthcare's most pressing challenges. Jeff is the Distinguished Chair at Brigham and Women's Hospital, a Professor at Harvard Medical School, Affiliate Faculty at MIT & The Broad Institute, and Principal Faculty at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute His expertise spans a range of areas, including drug delivery systems, regenerative medicine, and tissue engineering. Dr. Karp's work is characterized by a commitment to translational research, aiming to bring laboratory discoveries into practical medical use. His leadership in various biotech initiatives and collaborations has been instrumental in driving forward the boundaries of medical science and patient care. Jeff has won numerous awards around his innovations and entrepreneurial successes. 

Ritu Shah's journey includes significant roles as a fractional executive, showcasing her versatility through part-time contracted positions as a senior executive with Dimension Inx., head of operations and senior advisor with Reax Biotechnologies, and CEO of ClostraBio. At Portal, she spearheaded the innovative Ex^3 fractional C-suite model for life science clients, marking a significant milestone in her illustrious career. Join us as we explore the intricate dynamics of biotech's fast-evolving landscape, illuminated by Ritu Shah's remarkable insights and achievements. 

Julie Gilmore, Ph.D., is the Vice President and Global Head for Gateway Labs by Lilly, where she has cultivated a distinguished 20-plus-year tenure. Her journey with Lilly has seen her ascend through various leadership and scientific roles, demonstrating her versatility and expertise across research and drug development. Notable positions include her tenure as Head of Information Sciences and Clinical Operations for Lilly Europe, Global Head of Scientific Communications, and Global Head of Portfolio Management for the Neurodegeneration and Pain Early Phase Portfolio. Julie's influence extends beyond her corporate achievements; she serves on the Board of Governors for Biocom California and the Board of Directors for Mozart Therapeutics and DTx Pharma. A mentor at heart, Julie dedicates herself to guiding the next generation of scientific leaders through her involvement in several university graduate programs. Her academic credentials are equally impressive, with a doctorate in Membrane Biophysics from Purdue University and a postdoctoral fellowship in Drug Transport from Indiana University School of Medicine. 

Ms. Millar-Nicholson is a Past President of the Board of Governors of Certified Licensing Professionals Inc, (CLP Inc.), a former member of the Board of Directors of the Licensing Executive Society (LES), and is on the Board of Cambridge Enterprise, UK as an external advisor. A native of Scotland, Ms. Millar-Nicholson has a B.Ed., M.Ed., and MBA and is a Certified Licensing Professional (CLP). 

Ryan has his MBA from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago, and in his early career he worked a places like Gibson Consulting and AArete Consulting.

In this episode, Ryan breaks down different opportunities for startups, important milestones in company creation, describes the unique challenges (as well as ways to overcome them) and the responsibilities of leaders in the life sciences. He brings up his learning process and the interaction of business and science - how a hopeful future has an important focus on accessibility.

Rahul Dhanda is co-founder, CEO and director of Syntis Bio - a team we love and cherish. previously, Rahul co-founded Sherlock Biosciences, where he was CEO, president and director, and built a diverse team that launched the first CRISPR product authorized by the FDA. an advocate of equity in society and STEM, Rahul founded The 221b Foundation, a non-profit providing CRISPR intellectual property in exchange for profit sharing to promote gender and racial equity in STEM.

named to boston’s Power50 list by the Boston Business Journal, Rahul also led Sherlock to recognition as a Fast Company Most Innovative Company, a Red Herring Top 100 Company, Fierce15 MedTech, Tech Pioneer by the World Economic Forum, and Top 50 Innovative Company by BostonInno. not everyone gets named to even one list in their life...so thts pretty wild.

Rahul holds an MBA from MIT’s Sloan School of Management, a B.A. from Wesleyan University, and authored the first book addressing the crossroads between industry and bioethics, entitled Guiding Icarus: Merging Bioethics with Corporate Interests.

ok thts all u should need, now get outta here...go listen !!

We appreciate & cherish Suna Lumeh for cohosting this interview. She is deeply connected to Atlanta's life science ecosystem and is a driver of growth. Learn more about her here: https://www.portalinnovations.com/team-page/

Our second guest is the trailblazing neuroscientist, Dr. Hande Ozdinler, an Associate Professor of Neurology at Northwestern University. Dr. Ozdinler is dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of neurodegenerative diseases, with her research centered on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying motor neuron diseases such as ALS. She is also a passionate advocate for raising awareness and funds for ALS research.

In this episode, we're thrilled to explore the inspiring journeys, tireless efforts, and profound impact of both Dr. Silverman and Dr. Ozdinler in their respective fields. We will be particularly looking at Akava Therapeutics, diving into Dr. Silverman’s inspiration behind it, and learning what it takes for an idea to change lives. 

We appreciate & cherish Suna Lumeh for cohosting this interview. She is deeply connected to Atlanta's life science ecosystem and is a driver of growth. Learn more about her here: https://www.portalinnovations.com/team-page/

We appreciate & cherish Suna Lumeh for cohosting this interview. She is deeply connected to Atlanta's life science ecosystem and is a driver of growth. Learn more about her here: https://www.portalinnovations.com/team-page/

We appreciate & cherish Suna Lumeh for cohosting this interview. She is deeply connected to Atlanta's life science ecosystem and is a driver of growth. Learn more about her here: https://www.portalinnovations.com/team-page/

Previously, Jim was the Vice President of Research at Abbvie where he was responsible for the company’s research efforts in a variety of therapeutic/disease areas including oncology, immunology, neurology, hepatitis C and cystic fibrosis. Jim has advanced more than 100 compounds into clinical development across a number of disease states and technology platforms. 

Jim is an adjunct faculty member at Northwestern University and serves on the board of several companies and foundations including Regis Technologies, Genomics Medicine Ireland, Genuity Science, MATTER Healthcare Incubator, Chicago Biotechnology Accelerator and the Pistoia Alliance. He earned his bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. in biochemistry from Trinity College Dublin and conducted post-doctoral research in neurobiology at Northwestern University.

Tom Luby Ph.D. is the Director of Texas Medical Center (TMC) Innovation.  In this role, he oversees all of the innovation efforts of TMC focused on research, education, and commercialization of novel healthcare solutions.  Prior to this, he was the head of JLABS @ TMC in Houston, Texas. 

Tom started at Johnson & Johnson Innovation as a New Ventures Lead at the Johnson & Johnson Innovation Center in Boston. In that role, he was instrumental in fostering many deals for the Boston office, which included the expansion of JLABS to JLABS @ Toronto.  Prior to J&J, Tom spent 14 years in various R&D and business development positions, most recently as Sr. Director, Research Ventures at Shire. Nine of those years were spent working in R&D and operational roles across three start-up biotech companies in the Boston area.

Tom received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from State University of New York, and a Ph.D. in Immunology from the Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences at Tufts University.

Sarah Hein, PhD, is an Entrepreneur in Residence for the Texas Medical Center’s Cancer Therapeutics Accelerator.

Previously, Sarah was cofounder and VP of Operations at Courier Therapeutics, where she helped develop a novel immune-targeted cancer immunotherapy. She was also Director of Research at Resonant Therapeutics, an antibody therapeutics platform technology company. She began at Mercury Fund as a Venture Fellow directly after graduating with her PhD from Baylor College of Medicine.

Sarah earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science from the University of Wyoming.

Azurii Collier is the Director of Enterprise Innovation at AbbVie and the National President-Elect of Women in Bio - an organization of professionals committed to promoting careers, leadership, and entrepreneurship for all women in the life sciences. Her background in Cognitive Neuroscience has been a driving force in leading transformations towards knowledge-based ecosystems.

Michelle Hoffman is the Executive Director of The Chicago Biomedical Consortium (CBC)- and organization built to stimulate collaboration among scientists at Northwestern University, The University of Chicago, the University of Illinois Chicago and others to accelerate discovery that will transform biomedical research and improve the health of humankind. She has particular expertise in healthcare analysis, biotech industry and market analysis. Her work with both large and small, private and public companies as contributed to the impact of her industry knowledge.

John Conrad is the President & CEO at Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization (iBIO)-an organization dedicated to promoting, connecting and engaging the life sciences community to drive discovery, transform lives through groundbreaking research and grow the Illinois economy. John works alongside policymakers to tackle issues that affect the industry; his focus has been around establishing the Midwest as a viable place to grow a life science company.

Dr. Mandell completed his research fellowship in genetics at Harvard Medical School where he was Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellow of the Life Sciences Research Foundation. He received his PhD from the University of California, San Francisco, his MSc at University of Edinburgh, and his undergraduate degree in Symbolic Systems from Stanford University.

Before founding BAKX, Sree headed the Investments and Partnerships function at Life Biosciences, where he built platform focused companies in the areas of age-related diseases. He also took on operational roles in the portfolio companies driving the corporate development agenda. Prior to Life bio, Sree led early partnering strategy for Pfizer, driving strategic partnerships across different therapeutic areas/technologies and geographies. He also built Pfizer’s early target partnering vehicle and drove academic partnerships and spinouts to advance novel target platforms.

Sree was also Principal at the Boston Consulting Group advising large pharma, biotech, and medical device companies in areas of Corporate development, R&D strategy, M&A, etc.  Sree started his career with Ranbaxy labs in New Delhi and London, and also was a founding member of India’s first preventative, managed health company.

Sree has an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, and an MPH from the Harvard School of Public Health.

Dr. Aklog has been a heart surgeon for more than 20 years and received his degree from Harvard University, graduating Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude in Physics, and his M.D. degree, cum laude, from Harvard Medical School. He completed his surgical training at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital, Harefield Hospital, London and L’Hôpital Broussais, Paris. 

He is also a prolific entrepreneur and innovator having started many impactful companies including PAVmed and Lucid Diagnostics that he took public on NASDAQ.

PAVmed Inc. is a multi-product medical device medical technology company operating in the medical device, diagnostics, and digital health sectors. PAVmed in 2014 and it became public on Nasdaq in 2016.

Lucid Diagnostics, a subsidiary of PAVmed Inc., is a commercial-stage, cancer prevention medical diagnostics company focused on patients with gastroesophageal disease (GERD), also known as chronic heartburn, who are at risk of developing esophageal precancer and cancer.

Omer earned his B.S., M.D. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University. During his studies, he worked at ALZA Corporation in the Drug Device Research and Development Group, then Countryman Associates, Inc. as the chief engineer.  Post-graduation, he stuck close to Stanford’s Electrical Engineering program as a visiting scholar. 

Omer is now a tenured associate professor and the Smith Chair in Bioscience and Bioengineering at Georgia Tech’s School of ECE. He is also a scientific advisor for Cardiosense –– a medtech startup leveraging non-invasive sensors and AI to build the next generation of cardiac monitoring. 

This episode will highlight the medical devices and systems research that has  been the focus of Omer’s research; in that process it should offer further insight into the boundaries, barriers and collaborations between academia and entrepreneurship as well as research and funding. 

Dr. Porter earned his MD from the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine (where he was a Gamble Scholar) and an MBA from The Wharton School. He earned his BS in Neuroscience from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Additionally, he is on the boards of NASDAQ listed Passage Bio, a Philadelphia-based genetics medicine company, and a board member at Portal Innovations; he also serves as an Advisory Committee Member for the Penn School of Medicine. 

Dr. Porter has such a unique background and set of experiences ranging from medical training and experience in commercializing drugs at large biopharma companies to the application of that knowledge in start-up settings.

She’s also a science and medical advisor to several companies and organizations including Liminal Collective, Arena Labs, Evolve and Levels.

2021 Hall Fame Inductee, 3x All American, 2 x Big 10 Athlete of the year at the University of Iowa competing in both Field Hockey and Basketball. 7 year member of the U.S. National Field Hockey Team and one of the most successful coaches in Ivy League history, having won 12 league titles in 13 seasons and a National Championship at Princeton University.

And to round things out, she’s pursuing her PhD in Psychology at the University of Queensland!

She is the executive director of the Thiel Foundation, a board member of both Cytovale and Phylagen; she is an esteemed startup consultant; and her influence on the life sciences startup universe is widening…or, let me rephrase, she is changing the processes for this genre of startup culture. Her funding approach and philanthropic endeavors are contributing to the democratization of science. 

This episode is designed to further investigate her life, her goals, her inspirations and the personality behind what we see: her decisions and impact. I dunno, pretty wild and exciting stuff... and educational! like what better way to learn about the industry than to anticipate its growth??

Barry is the Chief Medical Officer at Stoke Therapeutics––a company addressing the underlying cause of severe diseases by upregulating protein expression with RNA-based medicines––as well as a founder and board member at Verve Therapeutics which aims to protect the world from heart disease. 

Prior to his current positions, he was the head of development of mRNA treatments for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases at Moderna Therapeutics as well as head of external R&D innovation for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases at Pfizer (two widely talked about companies right now). He was also vice president of clinical development at Biogen. 

Barry spent time at the University of Chicago where he received his MD and PhD. He then completed his pediatrics training at Northwestern University and a cardiology fellowship at Children’s hospital in Boston. He stuck to the east coast following his move to Boston where he worked on the clinical staff at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital and conducted laboratory research. 

His experience centers around therapeutics across a range of modalities especially in the area of mRNA. Hearing about his continuum of experiences will help the LRTU audience connect some dots.

From Mathematics at Yale to Medicine at the University of Chicago, Charlie developed a unique skillset to contribute to his success in finance––a destination as diverse as his path to it. In that realm, he has navigated a collection of entrepreneurial and investing experiences––transitioning his focus between early and late stage pharmaceutical companies. 

In this episode, we get more details surrounding the motivations, inspirations and passion that has been guiding Charlie’s journey. Through that, the process involved in investing and bringing pharmaceutical companies to market from the perspective of, especially, an investor is highlighted.

Leave it to Chicago's Deputy Mayor, Samir Mayekar, as well as World Business Chicago's President and CEO, Michael Fassnacht, to teach us about Chicago and its growing life sciences ecosystem.

Samir is a tri-sector leader who has played executive roles in public, private and nonprofit sectors. He served in the U.S. government during the Obama administration; and prior to his work with Mayor Lori Lightfoot on economic development, Samir was the CEO of NanoGraf Technologies–an international company built around Northwestern battery technology.

Simultaneous to his role as President/CEO of WBC, Michael is the Chief Marketing Officer for the City of Chicago. His goals for inclusive economic development and his talent for initiating engagement through creative marketing were what made him such an effective President and CEO of FCB Chicago; they continue to make him a phenomenal leader at WBC.

Dr. Stacy Lindau is a practicing physician and tenured professor at the University of Chicago with esteem in the internation scientific research community – specifically for her published work on women’s and population health.

Rachel brings over 30 years of business experience spanning investment banking, management consulting and general management to her role at NowPow. She holds a BA from Princeton University and an MBA from the University of Chicago. 

They combine their first-hand experience in health care, medicine, technology, business and innovation to drive a fast-growing team and revolutionary product. Women-owned and led, with a diverse team based on Chicago’s South Side and New York City, NowPow reflects the populations they serve.