Lab Rats to Unicorns John Flavin

In this episode of "Lab Rats to Unicorns," recorded at TMC's Helix Park in Houston during a Portal Pours event, we're joined by a distinguished panel led by featured host Ritu Shah, a seasoned expert in the biopharma industry and Managing Director at Portal Innovations. The conversation features: 
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. 

In this live taping of Lab Rats to Unicorns, John Flavin and Jeff Karp discuss the challenges and triumphs of bringing lab research to market, the evolving landscape of biotech startups, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in driving scientific breakthroughs.
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. 

In this episode of "Lab Rats to Unicorns," we're thrilled to spotlight Ritu Shah, the Managing Director at Portal Innovations, whose distinguished career in the biopharma industry spans over two decades. Ritu's unparalleled expertise shines in her role, where she's instrumental in driving growth and enhancing the value of portfolio companies. Specializing in steering early-stage companies towards key milestones and securing funding rounds, her strategic prowess has been key to numerous mergers & acquisitions, company formations, and operations.    
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. 

In this episode, we venture into the intricate world of life science innovation spaces with James Lewis and Mason Ailstock. From the nuances of creating standout spaces that cater to diverse innovator types to the importance of location in driving differentiation, we dissect what truly makes an innovation hub thrive. As we spotlight their landmark projects, James and Mason share insights into pivotal decision points that have shaped their work. Beyond the structures and spaces, we also delve into the Atlanta market's present dynamics and its prospective horizon. Through it all, the personal journeys of our guests enrich our understanding, merging the professional with the personal in a tale of ambition and accomplishment. 

We're thrilled to welcome Kenneth T. Christensen, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Illinois Institute of Technology to this episode of LRTU! With a career spanning decades at the forefront of engineering and academia, Christensen brings a wealth of knowledge and insight. In this episode, we'll explore the intersection of academia and industry, the evolving landscape of engineering education, and the role of research in addressing some of today's most pressing environmental challenges. Christensen shares his journey from a mechanical engineering student to a leader in academic administration, shedding light on the path to academic leadership and the importance of industry partnerships in fostering innovation and economic development. 

Erika Jefferson stands at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and advocacy in the STEM world. She is the President and Founder of Black Women in Science and Engineering (BWISE), an initiative born out of the need to bridge the leadership gap for Black women in STEM fields. Erika's academic foundation, with a BS in Chemical Engineering from LSU and an MBA from Georgia Tech, set the stage for a career that spanned various roles and cities. Having worked at industry-leading companies like Amoco, BP, Chevron, and Praxair, Erika's roles have ranged from sales and business development to supply chain and operational functions. Her professional journey, taking her to locales from Chicago to Houston, echoes her adaptability and breadth of experience. Through BWISE, Erika channels her insights and experiences to support and uplift Black women in STEM, addressing both the challenges they face and the opportunities that lie ahead.