BioSignals

Indiana’s life sciences strength is built from more than just the companies here—it's rooted in the research, discovery and innovation happening at our world-class universities—and in our ability to turn those discoveries into technologies, innovations, and ultimately better outcomes for patients.In this episode, we’re taking a closer look at one of Indiana’s most important research institutions and the role it can play in the next chapter of our state’s innovation economy.Our guest is Jeff Rhoads, vice president of research at the University of Notre Dame. Jeff brings a unique perspective on Notre Dame’s research enterprise, the evolving landscape of science and engineering, and the opportunities to move groundbreaking research from the lab into the real world.We’ll talk about what makes Notre Dame’s research ecosystem distinctive, where there are opportunities for greater collaboration across Indiana, and how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, advanced computing, engineering and data science are changing biomedical research.

In this episode of BioSignals, Vince Wong talks with Milan Radovich, a nationally recognized leader in cancer genomics and Precision oncology. Milan’s work sits at the forefront of translating complex genomic data into real-world clinical insights, helping redefine how cancer is diagnosed and treated. His research has been instrumental in advancing biomarker-driven approaches, enabling more personalized and effective therapies for patients.In this conversation, we explore how precision medicine is evolving, the challenges of turning data into action in clinical settings, and how Indiana’s unique ecosystem is accelerating the path from discovery to patient impact. We’ll also discuss the future of oncology, the role of AI and data science, and what it will take to bring the next generation of therapies to patients faster.

Today’s episode is essentially a greatest hits compilation of everything we’ve touched on so far since we launched this podcast--innovation, entrepreneurship, ecosystem building, venture capital, R&D. Today’s guest is a jack of all trades--Derek Small.Derek is a builder at his core. Over the course of his career, he’s helped launch and scale numerous companies. He’s worked across investment and operating roles and developed a deep understanding of what it takes to move an idea from concept to real-world impact. Today, through Luson Bioventures, he’s focused on creating and supporting the next generation of life sciences companies--bringing together science, capital, and talent to turn promising ideas into scalable ventures.In this conversation, Derek and Vince talk about what it really takes to build companies in the Midwest, how venture studios are changing the startup landscape, and what he thinks it takes to launch a successful idea. If you’re interested in innovation, company building, or the future of this ecosystem, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss

One of the greatest challenges in biomedical research isn't making a discovery—it's turning that discovery into something that improves patients' lives. The path from a promising scientific breakthrough to a new therapy is long, complex, and often filled with obstacles. That's why translational research and strong industry partnerships have become so critical to advancing innovation.Today's guest is Dr. Alan Palkowitz, President and CEO of the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute, or IBRI. Alan is a veteran pharmaceutical R&D leader with decades of experience in drug discovery, translational science, and therapeutic development. Throughout his career, he has helped advance innovative therapies and led teams focused on transforming scientific insights into real-world impact.

Indiana—we're better together. That’s the driving philosophy behind innovation districts nationwide and here in Indiana. Indiana is home to numerous innovation districts includingLEAP, the Fishers Life Sciences and Innovation Corridor, the One Health Innovation District, and 16Tech. Today’s guest, Emily Krueger, is the President and CEO of the 16 Tech Innovation District--a transformative 50-acre mixed-use development in downtown Indianapolis created to advance innovation, collaboration and economic opportunity. Krueger joined 16 Tech in 2018 as its chief operating officer and was named President and CEO in 2022. In 2024, she was named to the Indiana 250, honoring the state’s most influential leaders.