Best John Flavin Podcasts (2025)

1
Life in the In-Between: Jonathan Gluck on Cancer, Hope, and Storytelling_e.072 43:37

Play Pause

17d ago43:37

43:37

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 Time…

1
Designing the Future of Aging with Jeffrey Gray & Daniel Cottmeyer_e.071 59:54

29d ago59:54

59:54

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 diagnostic…

1
The Tech Czar of Atlanta: Building a Top 5 Tech Hub with Donnie Beamer 34:46

3M ago34:46

34:46

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…

1
Inside the First DNA Lab in Space with Kate Rubins_e.069 54:40

4M ago54:40

54:40

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 th…

1
Why Science Funding Matters with Kathleen Sebelius_e.68 46:01

5M ago46:01

46:01

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 a…

1
Building Biotech at the Interface: Geoff Duyk on Genomics, Platforms, and Grove Biopharma_e.67 1:23:34

5M ago1:23:34

1:23:34

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 unp…

1
Atlanta Rising: Science, Innovation, and the Future of Biotech with Steven Goudy and Ashley Cornelison_e.66 51:48

5M ago51:48

51:48

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 S…

1
Redefining Oncology through Empathetic AI with Anant Madabhushi 48:17

6M ago48:17

48:17

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…

1
Improving Patient Care with Anh Nguyen _ e.064 48:52

7M ago48:52

48:52

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, …

1
Diagnostics Matter: Dede Willis’ Journey from Engineering to Genomics_e.063 50:48

8M ago50:48

50:48

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 sta…

1
The Future of Early Detection: Gabe Kwong on Building Startups and Solutions 26:37

8M ago26:37

26:37

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 develop…

1
Revolutionizing Precision Medicine: Casey McPherson Won’t Wait_e.062 50:10

9M ago50:10

50:10

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 Fly…

1
Precision Medicine for Rare Diseases: Julia Vitarello’s Fight for Change_e.061 53:05

10M ago53:05

53:05

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 sys…

1
From Genes to Genomes: The Courage to Innovate with Dr. Ivan Liachko - e.060 53:00

11M ago53:00

53:00

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 hi…

1
Rising Stars: Pioneering Nanotechnology in Healthcare with Dr. Zhenpeng Qin_e.002 46:26

11M ago46:26

46:26

In this insightful episode of Lab Rats to Unicorns, Steve Lehmann sits down with Dr. Zhenpeng Qin, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Bioengineering at the University of Texas at Dallas. Dr. Qin shares his groundbreaking work in biomedical engineering, focusing on the development of nanomaterials to advance diagnostics and therapeutic delivery. …

1
From Kidney Research to Cancer Breakthroughs: Dr. Raghu Kalluri’s Journey_e.059 51:04

11M ago51:04

51:04

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Raghu Kalluri, a leading figure in cancer biology, who serves as the Chair of the Department of Cancer Biology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. With over 300 publications, multiple successful biotech ventures, and groundbreaking work in exosome research, Dr. Kalluri discusses the intricate relationship between scien…

1
From Research Lab to CEO: Michael Torres on Innovation in Cancer Care_e.058 56:52

12M ago56:52

56:52

Join us on Lab Rats to Unicorns as we dive into the career of Michael Torres, CEO of Crossbridge Bio. With a Ph.D. in cancer biology and a background in equity research, Michael has been at the forefront of developing cutting-edge oncology treatments. In this episode, he discusses the evolution of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and the process of …

1
Advancing Kidney Disease Care: A Conversation with Jochen Reiser_e.057 47:38

1y ago47:38

47:38

Join us on Lab Rats to Unicorns as we dive into the inspiring journey of Dr. Jochen Reiser, President of UTMB and CEO of UTMB Health System. A nephrologist, healthcare executive, and biotech entrepreneur, Jochen shares insights from his transition into the U.S. medical landscape, his pioneering research in kidney disease, and the founding of Walden…

1
Rising Stars: Zachi Attia on Multimodality and AI in Medicine_e.001 39:26

1y ago39:26

39:26

Join Steve Lehmann & Jeremy Langsam from Portal's Stargaze team on a bimonthly segment of Lab Rats to Unicorns: Rising Stars. In this episode, they explore the groundbreaking work of Zachi Attia, the Director of Artificial Intelligence at Mayo Clinic. With a rich background in electrical engineering and a Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Zachi discusses hi…

1
Stargaze: Mapping the Future of Biotech Innovation with Steve Lehmann and Jeremy Langsam_e.056 53:34

1y ago53:34

53:34

In this captivating episode of Lab Rats to Unicorns, we journey into the universe of biotechnology with Steve Lehmann, Director of Venture Operations, and Jeremy Langsam, Venture Analyst at Portal Innovations. In this episode, Steve and Jeremy share their insights into the relay race of innovation—from the "aha" moments in the lab to creating groun…

1
From Physics to Policy: The Multifaceted Impact of Dr. Walter Massey_e.055 47:40

1y ago47:40

47:40

In this episode, Dr. Walter E. Massey shares insights from his illustrious career in science and academia, detailing his journey, evolving focus, and key advancements in physics that have shaped his work. He discusses significant leadership decision points, his approach to decision-making, and offers guidance on preparing for impactful choices. Ref…

1
Cultivating Curiosity: Tony Martignetti’s Approach to Innovation and Leadership_e.054 35:24

1y ago35:24

35:24

Episode 54 of LRTU wants us to know about Tony Martignetti, the founder and chief inspiration officer at Inspired Purpose! With over 25 years of experience in the life sciences and tech sectors, Tony brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective on leadership. He shares his journey from being a pre-med major to holding pivotal roles in biop…

1
Uniting Fields: Solomon Wilcots on Sports, Life Science, and Communications _ e.053 43:26

1+ y ago43:26

43:26

Join us on episode 53 of Lab Rats to Unicorns as we sit down with Solomon Wilcots, a former NFL player who has transitioned into a health advocate. Solomon invites us on his remarkable journey from the competitive arenas of professional sports into the insightful world of broadcast television, and further into the impactful realm of health communic…

1
The New Faces of Houston Biotech _ e.052 53:29

1+ y ago53:29

53:29

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 Bios…

1
Jeff Karp _ e.051 54:25

1+ y ago54:25

54:25

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 fo…

1
Ritu Shah _ e.050 46:44

1+ y ago46:44

46:44

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. Speci…

1
Michael Flavin – The Many Small Steps of Birmingham Irishness 56:32

1+ y ago56:32

56:32

The proud possessor of three masters degrees and two doctorates, Michael Flavin is a Reader in Global Education in the African Leadership Centre at King’s College London. He is the author of two books on technology enhanced learning, two on nineteenth-century literature, and two novels. The first of these, One Small Step, tells the tale of a Birmin…

1
James Lewis and Mason Ailstock _ e.049 50:19

1+ y ago50:19

50:19

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 …

1
Kenneth Christensen _ e.048 47:52

1+ y ago47:52

47:52

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 ac…

1
Erika Jefferson _ e.047 44:41

2y ago44:41

44:41

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 …

1
Julie Gilmore _ e.046 50:26

2y ago50:26

50:26

On this episode of "Lab Rats to Unicorns," we sit down with Julie Gilmore, Ph.D., Lilly’s vanguard in bridging the worlds of big pharma, startups, and academia. With over two decades at Lilly, Julie unpacks the role big pharma plays in scientific innovation and the multifaceted career paths and opportunities within it. We'll delve into her experien…

1
James Lillard _ e.045 1:00:50

2y ago1:00:50

1:00:50

This episode features a conversation in front of a live audience in Atlanta with Dr. James Lillard. Dr. Lillard is a Distinguished Fellow of AAI and Fellow of NAI and AAAS that uses both in silico and in vivo methods to develop biologics or molecular tests to better treat or diagnose, respectively, chronic diseases. His research involves dissecting…

1
Todd Sherer _ e.044 57:14

2y ago57:14

57:14

Dr. Todd Sherer has dedicated over three decades to the advancement of academic technology transfer, ensuring research, especially federally-funded, translates into life-saving applications for the public. As the helm of Emory’s Office of Technology Transfer since 2003, he transformed the department into a global leader in the field. Instrumentally…

1
Fatdan Fables - John and Danielle Sing Songs of Behan and Beyond 1:02:14

2y ago1:02:14

1:02:14

John Merrigan and Danielle Morgan – aka fatdan productions – take a break between rehearsals to tell us about their lives, their love and their latest play (with music): “Brendan, Son Of Dublin.” Theirs is a journey that takes us from Dublin and Tipperary to London and Liverpool via Dubai, from working a life surrounded by books and theatre to the …

1
Lesley Millar-Nicholson _ e.043 48:27

2y ago48:27

48:27

e.043!! Learn about & from: Lesley Millar-Nicholson! Ms. Millar-Nicholson is the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Technology Licensing Office (TLO) and was part of the founding leadership team of the recently formed MIT Office of Strategic Alliances and Technology Transfer (OSATT). As TLO Executive Director, she lead…

1
Ryan Meyers _ e.042 56:32

2y ago56:32

56:32

Ryan Meyers is a skilled biotech executive with significant experience in management consulting, venture capital and company creation. He is the co-founder of both AddGraft Therapeutics – a novel skin based cell therapy platform – as well as Alnair Therapeutics - which aims to develop a platform technology that improves the delivery of drugs to dif…

1
Marcus Whitney & the Aspen Fellows _ e.041 1:02:59

2y ago1:02:59

1:02:59

e.041 is another live audience recording! Taped in partnership with Marcus Whitney and his awesome podcast Health: Further, this one takes a unique form. Jump into a wide conversation from the macroeconomic environment entrepreneurs are facing currently to broadening the health equity conversation. The conversation explores the perspectives of Keda…

1
David Steinberg _e.040 50:08

2y ago50:08

50:08

e.040: David Steinberg is a General Partner at Longwood Fund. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Longwood portfolio companies Photys Therapeutics and Be Biopharma, where he also served as founding Chief Executive Officer, and serves on the board of Longwood portfolio companies AAVantgarde Bio, Carbon Biosciences, Lassen Therapeutics, and Rect…

1
Rahul Dhanda _e.039 54:16

2y ago54:16

54:16

e.039 was recorded in front of a whole audience of ppl in dorchester because that seemed like a pretty fun idea. in this episode, Rahul Dhanda (founder, ceo & prez of Syntis Bio) gives us the story of his career; teaches us a few lessons on #biotech research, startup creation & culture development; and he breaks DOWN the trap and residual harm of s…

1
Emma O'Rourke: Painting Memories in Light and Shade (and Knicker Pink) 56:36

2y ago56:36

56:36

London-born artist Emma O’Rourke uses her own personal archive – and those of other people and institutions – to negotiate that most Irish of concerns: memory and remembrance. Whether sourcing family photos, the recollections of strangers or museum artefacts, her abstractions are both warm and bold. We talk about the effects of interpreting memory …

1
James Dahlman _ e.038 47:43

2y ago47:43

47:43

James Dahlman is a biomedical engineer who works at the intersection of nanotechnology, molecular biology, and genomics. He is an associate professor at Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory School of Medicine, and the director of the Lab for Precision Therapies. His lab designs drug delivery vehicles that target RNA and other nucleic acids to …

1
Erandi De Silva _e.037 44:11

2y ago44:11

44:11

Erandi De Silva is a biotech founder and scientist who co-founded Forge Biologics, a gene therapy development and manufacturing company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. She serves as the Senior Vice President of Product Development, overseeing the pipeline of disease-modifying AAV-based therapies for rare genetic diseases, automation initiatives an…

1
Omar Farha _ e.036 44:25

2+ y ago44:25

44:25

phew, huh, pssh, hmm….hard to maintain a cool composure for this week’s guest…dr. omar farha is an ESTEEMED scientist with an unwavering passion for advancing the field of chemistry and fostering innovation. he completed those undergrad studies at fullerton college before pursuing his PHD at UCLA, where he specialized in inorganic chemistry. dr. fa…

1
Courtney Law _ e.035 49:29

2+ y ago49:29

49:29

y’all… even we aren’t ready for this superstar… Dr. Courtney Law is a career scientist with remarkable achievements that exemplify her dedication to impacting human health. Law received her B.S. in Chemistry & Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicinal Chemistry & Natural Products from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. after comp…

1
Declan McSweeney: The Trials of the International Local Journalist 54:57

2+ y ago54:57

54:57

Declan McSweeney has over twenty five years experience as a local correspondent and writer on either side of the water. As a journalist with the Offaly Express he covered the disappearance – still unsolved – of Fiona Pender, before working both with the Romford Recorder and as a freelance columnist across England. He tells of the changes in regiona…

1
Rick Silverman . Hande Ozdinler _ e.034 58:11

2+ y ago58:11

58:11

We had the great privilege of being joined by two exceptional guests from Northwestern University for this live episode! And to make it even better, Kevin O’Connor joined the conversation as a co-host! First, let us introduce Dr. Richard B. Silverman, an esteemed medicinal chemist and dedicated educator, who holds the title of Patrick G. Ryan/Aon P…

1
Maria Thacker Goethe _ e.033 46:27

2+ y ago46:27

46:27

okie okie we can’t contain our excitement fr!!! maria thacker goethe is equally deeply committed to her important non-profit work & the development of biotechnology ecosystems!!! thacker goethe received her B.A from Sweet Briar College before attending Tulane School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine where she studied health marketing/communicati…

1
Kyyah Abdul _e.032 47:17

2+ y ago47:17

47:17

lol like how are some people just... able 2 do everything... like omg... Kyyah Abdul is a multi-talented and deeply passionate leader in public health who has not gone unnoticed!!! Abdul received her Bachelor's from the University of New Haven in Biology concentrated in Pre-Medical Studies and her Master's in Public Health from Charles R. Drew Univ…

1
Nakia Melecio _ e.031 58:35

2+ y ago58:35

58:35

we’re honestly taken aback by this one… truly in awe… Nakia Melecio is truly a leader, uniquely juxtaposing his skills to help researchers commercialize in the sciences. Melecio received his B.A in Cognitive Science & a Master’s in education/teaching, learning & educational technology from Ashford University before receiving his Ph.D. from The Univ…

1
Evonne Sepsis _ e.030 38:12

2+ y ago38:12

38:12

Evonne Sepsis dedicates herself to the continued growth of the life sciences ecosystem. Sepsis received her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and her MBA from the Yale School of Management. She started her career in investment banking at Salomon Brothers, was then the head of investment banking at Susquehanna Financial Group, and wa…