Betting Big on Innovation in the Desert with BioHealth Las Vegas
Release Date: 10/26/2025
How Smart Incentives Shape BioHealth Growth: Ellen Harpel on Economic Development, Accountability, and Regional Competition
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Ellen D. Harpel, Ph.D., Founder of Smart Incentives, joins the conversation to explore a topic that has shaped the growth of the BioHealth Capital Region but has rarely been discussed directly on the podcast: economic development incentives. Ellen explains why state and local governments use incentives, how they influence business location and expansion decisions, and why effective programs need clear goals, active management, performance measures, and public accountability. The discussion looks at how incentives support companies across the full...
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Building Georgetown Tech Ventures and Strengthening the Startup Pipeline from Academic Research
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
How do universities move promising discoveries out of the lab and into the market? In this episode of BioTalk, Tatiana Litvin-Vechnyak, Vice President of Georgetown’s Office of Technology Commercialization, Christon Hill, Program Manager for Georgetown Tech Ventures, and Jennifer Butler, Entrepreneur-in-Residence with BioHealth Innovation, discuss how Georgetown is building a stronger pipeline from academic science to startup formation. The conversation examines how Georgetown’s commercialization efforts are evolving, how GTV supports faculty founders, and why structured programming,...
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Lisa Johnson, CEO of BioForward Wisconsin, on Building a Biohealth Ecosystem and What Comes Next
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
What does it take to build a biohealth ecosystem that can compete nationally? In this episode of BioTalk, Lisa Johnson, CEO of BioForward Wisconsin, discusses how Wisconsin helped shape the early use of the term “biohealth” and how that approach has supported the growth of its life sciences sector. Lisa shares how BioForward connects industry, academia, and government to strengthen the state’s ecosystem, along with key developments that have brought increased attention to the region, including the expansion of Eli Lilly and Company. She also reflects on Wisconsin’s designation as a...
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Sustaining Leadership Under Pressure with Dr. Sheetal Ajmani of Radiant Living Institute
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
Dr. Sheetal Ajmani joins BioTalk to discuss a topic rarely addressed in the life sciences startup world. The personal and leadership toll that accompanies building and scaling a company. A physician turned executive coach and founder of Radiant Living Institute, Dr. Ajmani works closely with founders and senior leaders navigating intense professional pressure while trying to maintain clarity in decision making. In this conversation, she explains how exhaustion and sustained stress can quietly affect leadership judgment during critical moments such as fundraising, board interactions, regulatory...
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Strengthening Concussion Diagnosis and Prognosis with Emergency Medicine Researchers Dr. Frank Peacock and Dr. Damon R. Kuehl of BrainBox Solutions, Inc.
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
Dr. Frank Peacock and Dr. Damon R. Kuehl join BioTalk for a focused discussion on one of emergency medicine’s most persistent challenges: accurately diagnosing and predicting outcomes in mild traumatic brain injury. As Scientific Advisory Board members for BrainBox Solutions, Inc., they walk through what happens when a patient presents to the emergency department after a fall or sports injury and why current tools, including CT scans, often leave clinicians without clear answers. The conversation explores the gap between a “normal” scan and ongoing symptoms, and what missed or uncertain...
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Building a Life Sciences Innovation District in Prince William County
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
This episode of the BioTalk with Rich Bendis Podcast brings together leaders from industry, academia, and economic development to unpack the vision behind a new life sciences Innovation District anchored in Prince William County. With introductions to NAUGEN, George Mason University’s Institute for Biohealth Innovation, and the Prince William County Department of Economic Development, setting the stage for how each organization contributes to the district’s foundation. The guests talk about the life science assets, research strengths, and translational capabilities that define the district...
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Building Quantum Momentum in the BioHealth Capital Region with IonQ’s Matthew Keesan
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
IonQ Vice President and GM of Quantum Platform Matthew Keesan joins BioTalk for a clear look at how they are advancing quantum computing from its home base in the BioHealth Capital Region. He shares the story of IonQ’s Maryland roots and explains quantum computing in straightforward terms for listeners seeking a high-level understanding. The conversation moves into why biohealth leaders should track the hardware race, what distinguishes IonQ’s approach, and how quantum is already being paired with AI to strengthen modeling and analysis. Keesan walks through early use cases showing traction...
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Quantum, Biohealth, and the Future of Innovation with Strangeworks Founder and CEO Whurley
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
William Hurley, known widely as Whurley, joins BioTalk for a deep look at how quantum computing is moving from theory into practical use across the biohealth landscape. He opens the conversation with an introduction to Strangeworks and explains why the company is focused on making quantum computing more accessible for real-world problem-solving. The discussion explores how quantum could support breakthroughs in genomics and personalized medicine, improve the way clinical trials are modeled, and strengthen manufacturing and supply chain operations. Whurley also talks through the ingredients...
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Strengthening Virginia’s BioHealth Future with Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
Secretary Juan Pablo Segura joins BioTalk for a conversation about Virginia’s growing position in the biohealth economy and the statewide strategy behind it. He outlines the significance of the new partnership with AstraZeneca, Lilly, and Merck, including up to $120 million in private investment to create a workforce development center and expand the Commonwealth’s life sciences capacity. Segura talks through how Virginia approaches company recruitment, what investors are responding to, and why the state is seeing increased interest from biomanufacturing and advanced R&D companies. He...
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Health Security for Children: Inside the SPARK Accelerator with AcQumen Medical and Vesynta
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
This episode brings together three leaders working at the intersection of pediatric innovation, health security, and early-stage commercialization. Kolaleh Eskandanian, Program Director of SPARK, is joined by founders Dori Jones of AcQumen Medical and Jugal Suthar of Vesynta for a conversation about advancing breakthrough solutions for children. They discuss the mission behind the BARDA-funded SPARK for Innovations in Pediatrics Hub at Children's National Hospital, the challenges of developing technologies for pediatric populations, and the impact of public-private partnerships in moving...
info_outlineIn this episode of BioTalk, Rich Bendis sits down with Councilman Brian Knudsen, Jamie Schwartz of UNLV, and Vance Farrow from the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development to spotlight the rapid emergence of Southern Nevada as a rising force in the biohealth landscape. The conversation covers the launch of the $10 million BioHealth Innovation Challenge, the Desert Forge Venture Fund, and the revitalization of BioTech Vegas, all designed to attract industry anchors, fuel early-stage startups, and cultivate a thriving innovation ecosystem. They also explore how strong collaboration between local and state government, academic institutions, and entrepreneurs is propelling Las Vegas into a new era of health innovation, with a focus on brain health, sports science, and workforce development.
Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant: thepodcastconsultant.com
Councilman Brian Knudsen was elected to represent Ward 1 in 2019 and re-elected in 2024, continuing his long-standing commitment to public service and community-building in Las Vegas. On December 21, 2022, he was named Mayor Pro Tem. Brian has been instrumental in driving the transformation of the Las Vegas Medical District and expanding public health infrastructure throughout the city. He serves on several boards, including the Southern Nevada Health District and the Regional Transportation Commission, and is a vocal advocate for policies that strengthen healthcare, public safety, and inclusive economic development.
Jamie Schwartz, MBA, is Director of Industry Engagement at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Office of Economic Development and President of the Board for BioTech Vegas. With deep experience in public-private partnerships and academic-industry collaboration, she works at the intersection of research, innovation, and commercialization to strengthen Southern Nevada’s biotech and health innovation landscape.
Vance Farrow serves as the Healthcare Industry Specialist for the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development. His work focuses on attracting and expanding healthcare businesses throughout the state, aligning talent development efforts, and building the infrastructure needed to support a robust biohealth sector. He plays a critical role in shaping state policy and investment strategies for the industry.