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 and explain why it is positioned to support biotechnology and advanced R&D companies. The conversation explores how the partnership between Prince William County, George Mason University, and the City of Manassas came together, outlining the distinct roles each plays in advancing a shared strategy. The episode also introduces the NISA program, detailing how it supports companies seeking a soft-landing pathway into the district, the types of organizations best suited for the program, and the facilities, talent, and collaborative resources participants can access both immediately and over time. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Jaehan Park is Founder and CEO of NAUGEN, a global innovation accelerator advancing novel technologies across life sciences and deep tech. With more than 25 years of experience in strategy and business development, he has led collaborations spanning cancer immunotherapy, vaccines, and biologics with global pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions. He leads the NISA Program in partnership with George Mason University and serves as a Mentor-in-Residence at KIC DC, supporting international startups entering U.S. markets. Amy Adams is Executive Director of George Mason University's Institute for Biohealth Innovation, where she advances biohealth research and innovation across more than 300 faculty and thousands of students. Her work focuses on partnerships, shared research infrastructure, and building hubs that connect academia with industry. She is co-leading the development of the Innovation District anchored at Mason's SciTech campus and serves on the boards of BioHealth Innovation and the Association of University Research Parks. Christina Winn leads the Prince William County Department of Economic Development, guiding investment, business growth, and redevelopment efforts across one of Virginia's largest counties. She is overseeing the development of a research-driven Innovation District in partnership with George Mason University and the City of Manassas, supported by a GO Virginia grant. Her career includes leading large-scale economic development initiatives that have driven significant capital investment, job creation, and national visibility for the region.

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 today, challenges common myths about timelines, and shares which biohealth applications he expects to gain mainstream momentum by 2030. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Matthew Keesan is Vice President and GM of Quantum Platform at IonQ and a member of the BHI Board. He joined IonQ in 2017 to lead the development of the company's Quantum OS, the software stack that controls IonQ's quantum computers. In 2021, he oversaw the launch of IonQ's Harmony systems on Amazon Braket, Microsoft Azure Quantum, and Google Cloud, making IonQ the first quantum hardware provider available across all three hyperscalers. He built IonQ's security function to meet commercial and government frameworks, including SOC 2, NIST 800-171, NIST 800-53, and ISO 27001, and established a globally distributed operations team managing IonQ's fleet of quantum computers across the United States and Europe. Before joining IonQ, Keesan served as CTO of the restaurant technology company Ando, which was acquired by Uber, and advised startups in manufacturing, e-commerce, and identity-as-a-service. He also helped create the technology behind the interactive HBO series Mosaic with Steven Soderbergh. He holds patents in quantum compilation, hybrid quantum computation, and quantum control automation, and has co-authored papers published in Nature and Physical Review A.

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 required for regional leadership in this space, including infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and a specialized workforce. He shares his view on what will distinguish successful players in quantum from those who overpromise or misread the market, and closes with a forward look at the convergence of quantum, AI, and biotechnology and the impact these capabilities could have on healthcare innovation. The conversation follows his recent keynote appearance at the BioHealth Capital Region Forum this past September. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Whurley is the founder and CEO of Strangeworks, an Eisenhower Fellow, a Senior Member of the IEEE, founder of the Quantum Computing Standards Workgroup at the IEEE, the first Ambassador to CERN and Society, and co-author of "Quantum Computing for Babies" and the forthcoming "Quantum Computing for Dummies." He previously served as a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs following its acquisition of his startup Honest Dollar. Before that he founded Chaotic Moon Studios, which was acquired by Accenture.

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 also discusses Virginia's use of public-private partnerships to accelerate industry growth, strengthen the talent pipeline, and support emerging hubs across the Commonwealth. The conversation closes with a look at Virginia's role in the BioHealth Capital Region and how the regional identity helps amplify the state's message as it continues building a competitive biohealth ecosystem. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Juan Pablo Segura is the Secretary of Commerce and Trade for the Commonwealth of Virginia. He leads 13 agencies focused on economic growth, business development, and industry expansion across the state. Before entering public service, Segura spent his career building companies in the digital health sector, most notably as a founder of Babyscripts, a widely adopted maternity care platform. His work has been recognized by Startup Health, CTIA, EY, and the White House. He is a CPA and a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, and he lives in Henrico, Virginia with his family.

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 lifesaving tools to market. Dori and Jugal share what their companies are building, the inflection points that shaped their journeys, and how BioHealth Innovation's Entrepreneur-in-Residence program supported their progress. The group reflects on lessons learned, the value of mentorship, and how collaborative accelerator ecosystems help drive breakthroughs in pediatric care, preparedness, and health equity. Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Dr. Kolaleh Eskandanian is a nationally recognized leader in pediatric health innovation with more than twenty years of experience across academia, government, and industry. She previously served as Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at Children's National Hospital, where she founded Innovation Ventures and secured significant federal funding, patents, and licensed technologies. She now leads the BARDA-funded SPARK Accelerator Hub for Pediatrics and serves as Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Compremium AG, while also supporting early-stage innovators as an angel investor with Citrine Angels. Dori Jones is the Co-Founder and CEO of AcQumen Medical, a medtech company developing UltraTrac, the first ultrasound-guided impedance technology designed for rapid assessment of hemodynamics in critically ill infants and children. She brings nearly two decades of experience across R&D, clinical education, and commercialization roles supporting cardiac and critical care devices at organizations ranging from early startups to Abbott and Medtronic. Her commitment to pediatric innovation is shaped in part by her experience as the mother of a NICU and PICU patient. Dr. Jugal Suthar is the Co-Founder and CEO of Vesynta, a precision medicine company developing the DosoLogic platform, the first marketplace-enabled precision prescribing software aimed at improving accuracy and safety for every patient. His background includes clinical work as a hospital pharmacist and roles in drug development in the pharmaceutical industry. His PhD in precision medicine fuels his focus on bringing personalized dosing insights to populations often underrepresented in clinical research.