Lab Rats to Unicorns

In this episode of Lab Rats to Unicorns, John Flavin is joined by Dr. Hide Goto, Head of Open Innovation Japan at Astellas. With more than 27 years of experience in drug discovery and research, Dr. Goto has journeyed from molecular biology and small-molecule drug development to leading-edge work in regenerative medicine, cell therapy, and now, ecosystem building. 

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. 

In this episode of Lab Rats to Unicorns, John Flavin is joined by Jonathan Gluck—award-winning writer, longtime magazine editor, and now author of the deeply personal memoir An Exercise in Uncertainty: A Memoir of Illness and Hope. For more than two decades, Jonathan helped shape cultural conversations at New York Magazine, Vogue, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. But in his book, he turns the lens inward, chronicling his unexpected cancer diagnosis, the maze of the healthcare system, and the breakthroughs in biomedical research that helped him outlive the odds. 

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. 

In this episode of Lab Rats to Unicorns, John Flavin is joined by Jeffrey Gray, Founder & CEO of AgeTech Connect, and Dr. Daniel Cottmeyer, a physical therapist and PhD researcher at Georgia State University. 

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.

In this episode of Lab Rats to Unicorns, John Flavin is joined by Donnie Beamer, Atlanta’s first-ever Senior Technology Advisor, appointed by Mayor Andre Dickens. Donnie brings a unique blend of experiences—as an entrepreneur, investor, corporate innovator, and civic leader—making him the perfect connector for Atlanta’s growing innovation ecosystem. 

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. 

WATCH FULL VIDEO INTERVIEW HERE

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.

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.