Dr. Christin Godale is a scientist, innovation strategist, and ecosystem builder with experience spanning academic research, venture capital, early-stage company development, and nonprofit innovation infrastructure. Trained as a neuroscientist, she brings a dual perspective as an academically trained scientist and a builder of programs, partnerships, and platforms that help scientific innovation move into the real world. She is the founding Executive Director of LifeSciKY, a nonprofit life sciences lab in Kentucky, where she leads strategy, partnerships, and infrastructure development to support early-stage biotech, diagnostics, and health innovation companies while strengthening the life sciences ecosystem. Christin’s expertise spans therapeutics, cell and gene therapy, neurology, drug-delivery systems, and emerging biomedical technologies. She is known for translating complex science into clear, actionable strategy and for aligning research, venture insight, policy, capital, and talent to accelerate impact. She is deeply passionate about using innovation infrastructure as an economic development tool, expanding access to labs, talent pathways, and STEM education, reducing barriers for scientists and founders, and ensuring that breakthrough research can create jobs, companies, and healthier communities, especially in regions that have historically been overlooked.
What is stopping you from building the thing you keep talking about? Join Cincinnati builders from life sciences, gaming, and software for an honest conversation about starting before you feel qualified, building where you are instead of chasing the coasts, and creating with the community and talent already here. The questions get harder as the wings get hotter.
Led by Project MedTech, this discussion explores why a growing number of life sciences founders are choosing Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky to launch, relocate, and scale their companies.
While biotech is often associated with Boston, San Diego, and the Bay Area, innovative companies are increasingly finding advantages in emerging ecosystems that offer access to talent, infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and a collaborative startup community. Through a conversation with leaders from LifeSciKY, CARTx Therapeutics, and Clareo Biosciences, attendees will hear firsthand how founders evaluate where to build their companies, the challenges they face, and what resources have been critical to their success.
This session will provide founders, investors, students, and ecosystem builders with a candid look at the realities of building a high-growth life sciences startup in the Midwest and why the region is becoming a destination for innovation.
Science on the Rocks brings together founders, scientists, investors, students, and community leaders for an evening of meaningful connections and conversations shaping the future of life sciences innovation. Attendees will hear from entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders building breakthrough companies across the region while gaining insight into emerging trends in biotechnology, healthcare, and commercialization. Whether you're exploring a career in life sciences, growing a startup, or looking to expand your network, this event offers a unique opportunity to engage with the people driving innovation in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
