Kathleen Sebelius has led a career defined by public impact—first as Governor of Kansas and then as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, where she helped steer one of the most significant healthcare reforms in American history. In this episode of Lab Rats to Unicorns, Sebelius unpacks the leadership lessons she’s learned across government and health systems, including the rollout of the Affordable Care Act and her efforts to accelerate translational research through federal agencies like the NIH, FDA, and CMS. 

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. 

In this episode of Lab Rats to Unicorns, host John Flavin speaks with Dr. Geoff Duyk, co-founder and CEO of Grove Biopharma. Geoff brings over 35 years of experience across academia, biotech leadership, and venture capital. From his early work in human genetics at UCSF to co-founding Millennium Pharmaceuticals and leading R&D at Exelixis, Geoff unpacks the evolution of biotech from the 1970s to today. 

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. 

In this episode of Lab Rats to Unicorns, we sit down with two powerhouse leaders advancing the life sciences movement in Atlanta: Dr. Steven Goudy, a pediatric otolaryngologist at Emory University and founder/CEO of Oridivus, and Ashley Cornelison, Executive Director of Portal Innovations Atlanta and a longtime champion of biotech startups in the Southeast.

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.

In this episode of Lab Rats to Unicorns, we delve into the groundbreaking work of Dr. Anant Madabhushi, a distinguished professor at Emory University and a driving force in the application of artificial intelligence to healthcare. As the founder and executive director of the Emory Empathetic AI for Health Institute and the founder of Picture Health, Dr. Madabhushi is revolutionizing the field of oncology through innovative AI-powered diagnostic platforms. 

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. 

Dr. Anh Nguyen has built a career at the intersection of medicine, biotechnology, and public policy, bringing a unique perspective on how scientific innovation translates into real-world impact. As the co-founder and CEO of Alnair Therapeutics, Anh is leading the development of a novel drug delivery platform designed to transform cancer treatment, ensuring that therapies reach their targets more effectively while reducing side effects for patients. 

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. 

In this episode of Lab Rats to Unicorns, we welcome Dede Willis, co-founder and CEO of Orbit Genomics, a trailblazer in the field of diagnostics and life sciences. With a background in engineering and over 25 years of leadership experience, Dede shares how her engineering mindset and entrepreneurial resilience have driven her to build impactful startups that tackle complex challenges. 

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.

In this episode of Lab Rats to Unicorns: Rising Stars, we are joined by Dr. Gabe Kwong, a trailblazing biomedical engineer, innovator, and entrepreneur. Gabe is the director of the Laboratory for Synthetic Immunity at Georgia Tech and Emory University, where his groundbreaking research focuses on engineering immune cells as living drugs and developing cutting-edge diagnostics for early disease detection. 

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. 

In this episode of Lab Rats to Unicorns, John Flavin sits down with Casey McPherson, a musician, songwriter, and rare disease advocate whose life took an extraordinary turn when his daughter, Rose, was diagnosed with HNRNPH2, an ultra-rare neurodevelopmental disorder. Best known for his work as the lead vocalist and songwriter for Alpha Rev and Flying Colors, Casey has spent much of his career crafting powerful music that resonates deeply with audiences. But when faced with the challenges of navigating the healthcare system for rare diseases, Casey turned his creativity, resilience, and determination toward a new mission: advancing precision medicine for underserved patient communities. 

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. 

This episode of Lab Rats to Unicorns features an inspiring conversation with Julia Vitarello, founder of Mila’s Miracle Foundation and a trailblazer in the field of individualized genetic therapies. Julia shares the story of her daughter Mila, who was diagnosed with a rare and fatal genetic disease, Batten disease, at age six. Confronted with a system ill-equipped to handle ultra-rare conditions, Julia embarked on a transformative journey to develop Milasen, the first-ever genetic therapy tailored for a single individual. 

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. 

In this episode, John Flavin sits down with Dr. Ivan Liachko, co-founder and CEO of Phase Genomics, a company at the forefront of genomics and microbiome research. Ivan shares his journey from a young immigrant fascinated by biology in Ukraine to a biotech leader based in Seattle. His academic path began with a keen interest in genetics, leading him to work at the University of Washington, where he honed skills in both genetics and computer science. Dr. Liachko discusses how Phase Genomics emerged from a passion project to solve unique biological challenges, evolving into a full-fledged company offering genome assembly services, microbiome diagnostics, and groundbreaking cancer diagnostic tools. Ivan’s focus on innovation is clear, as he reflects on the importance of courage, community, and resilience when transforming science into industry. As the conversation unfolds, Ivan delves into his vision for future scientific breakthroughs and the value of an ecosystem that supports unconventional thinking.