Episodes

Recorded in-person in Minneapolis, this conversation reflects the kind of cross-regional connections shaping the Midwest’s medtech and biotech ecosystem. In this episode of Favorable Environments, Tung Nguyen speaks with Ian Weimer, Founder of Weimer Analytics, about bringing real world evidence and advanced health economics analytics to small and medium-sized medtech and biotech companies. Ian brings experience from a boutique healthcare consultancy where he contributed to 16 peer-reviewed pu...

In this episode of Favorable Environments, Tung Nguyen speaks with Dr. Patrick Rynn Hogan, DHA, author of the newly published book The Silent Pandemic of Antimicrobial Resistance: Why the Next Global Health Crisis Has Already Begun and CEO of Prescient Healthcare, about one of the most urgent yet under-recognized threats to modern health. Dr. Hogan explains antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a system-level failure spanning healthcare infrastructure, agricultural practices, supply chains, and inno...

In this episode of Favorable Environments, Host Tung Nguyen speaks with fellow members of theUSD Discovery District leadership team—Ryan, President; Marc, Director of Biotech Development; in a reflective discussion—about the organization's first operational year since taking possession of Building 1 in January 2025. The team shares candid insights into the milestones achieved, the challenges navigated, and the strategic pivots that have positioned the District as a purpose-built hub for bioscien...

In this episode of Favorable Environments, Tung Nguyen speaks with Dr. Kristina Harris Jackson, Director of Research at OmegaQuant Analytics, about how a science-first company in Sioux Falls became a global leader in fatty acid testing. Kristina shares the story of OmegaQuant’s founding, the research legacy of Dr. Bill Harris, and how the company grew from an academic idea into one of the most trusted diagnostic tools in the world. With more than a million Omega-3 Index tests performed, partners...

Today, we sit down with Fabrice Paublant, CEO of Orixha, whose 30-year career in pharmaceuticals and consulting drives his passion for transformative medical innovation. In this episode, Mr. Paublant dives into Orixha’s pioneering liquid ventilator for post-cardiac arrest care, sharing insights on leadership, mentorship, and strategic cash management. The content in this episode is not financial or legal advice. Please consult a qualified professional for investment guidance. This podcast is s...

Join the USD Discovery District for an insightful conversation with Wassim Laroussi, founder of The Biotech Investor YouTube channel. From his early days as a pharmacy technician to a career in software development, Larussi’s passion for finance led him to launch his channel in 2020. He now delivers in-depth analyses of public biotech companies, their groundbreaking innovations, and stock performance in the public markets. Discover his unique journey and expert insights into biotech investing. ...

This episode features a conversation with Bill Betten. Bill Betten is an experienced engineer and entrepreneur in the medtech industry, currently serving as President of Betten System Solutions and Director of Solutions – Medtech at S3 Connected Health. We met Bill at the Medical Alley Annual Summit, where he shared his journey from Redfield, South Dakota to leading product development for major medical device companies. Betten Systems Solutions focuses on early-stage product development and c...

This episode features a conversation with Dr. Neel Patel. In 2016, Dr. Neel Patel and his co-founder, Dr. Shaolin Liang, united with a clear mission – to empower people to take control of their health. Previously as Doctor, Dr. Neel Patel was frustrated with the inefficiencies of hospital blood testing and sought a solution to accelerate the testing process. This was inspired by his co-founder, Dr. Shaolin Liang, who wanted to ensure his newborn was receiving proper nutrients and aimed to brin...

In the latest episode of our podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Max Ostermeier. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of ImplantData Ophthalmic Products and has an impressive background, transitioning from a career in finance to becoming a serial entrepreneur in the medtech industry. His innovative spirit and dedication to improving patient care have led to the development of several groundbreaking technologies. Through his ventures, he has a successful track record of regulatory approval, fun...

This episode features a conversation with Lisa MacFadden, PhD. Lisa is a Professor of Practice in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Director of Biomechanics Research at the University of South Dakota. With a career spanning academia and applied science, she explores the complexities of human movement to optimize performance, reduce injury risks, and enhance rehabilitation. Her interdisciplinary approach involves collaborations across medicine, kinesiology, therapy, psychology, and co...

This episode features a conversation with Aaron Emerson. Aaron is the Chief Executive Officer at CEGA Innovations located in Sioux Falls, SD. Before co founding CEGA, Aaron honed his expertise as a litigation attorney, specializing in complex commercial disputes and risk advisement. His rich background also extends into the academic realm, having delved into neuroscience at the University of South Dakota and Creighton University School of Medicine, kidney ischemia research at University Physici...

This episode features a conversation with Jon Greenwald. With over two decades in healthcare and technology, Jon Greenwald is the co-founder and leader of Caira Surgical and has pioneered Radar Surgical Tracking and other innovative technologies to enhance joint replacement surgery. He has successfully launched and grown new businesses that leveraged proprietary technologies to transform industries that delivered top-line growth and profitability. In addition, he has secured and served as Princ...

This episode features a conversation with Mark Christopherson. Mark brings over three decades of expertise to the forefront of the medical device industry, with pivotal roles at Medtronic and leadership in venture-backed startups. Mark’s track record includes foundational roles at Inspire Medical and Cryosa, where he was instrumental from the startup phase through commercialization. With a rich background in managing international development, clinical trials, and a wide array of therapies, Ma...

This episode features a conversation with Jason Foster. Jason is a dynamic leader with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare and technology sectors across the US, UK, and Europe. As the Chief Executive Officer of Ori Biotech, he spearheads the company's efforts in revolutionizing cell and gene therapy manufacturing technology. Through digital transformation, Ori Biotech's technology is automating and standardizing cell and gene therapy manufacturing. As a result, their system facilitate...

This episode features a conversation with Mark Carbone. He is a healthcare entrepreneur, inventor, researcher, and is the CEO of PN Medical. Under Mark’s leadership, PN Medical has become a leader in the respiratory therapy and cardiopulmonary fields and has been instrumental in dozens of novel clinical studies conducted with Mayo Clinic, Fighter Pilots, Army Rangers and SEALS, Olympians, and professional athletes. With a dedication to evidence-based science and cutting-edge research, they have ...

This episode features a conversation with Ken Londoner. He has established himself as an authority in capital markets and capital architecture, as well as a prominent executive in the life sciences sector. Beginning his career as a research analyst at the prestigious J. & W. Seligman & Co., Inc. in New York, he rapidly advanced to a key position within the biotech industry during the 1990s. His expertise and leadership enabled him to oversee the management of $3.5 billion across mutual and pensi...

This episode features a conversation with Dr. Vincent Keereman. He is the Chief Medical Officer and co-founder of Xeos, a medtech company with the goal to eliminate the risk of resurgery through smarter specimen imaging. Vincent has dual Master's degrees in Electronics Engineering and Medicine from Ghent University. He earned his PhD in Biomedical Engineering in 2011, specializing in PET-MR imaging, and became a board-certified Neurologist in 2018. In addition to being a co-founder and clinical ...

This episode features a conversation with Dr. Tom Ulrich, a seasoned engineer and engineering manager with over 30 years of experience, a consultant, an Engineering Fellow at Tandem Diabetes, and an Adjunct Professor of Engineering at Biola University. He is also the author of 'Leading Engineers,' a book tailored for engineering managers that melds the wisdom accrued from his extensive career in engineering and management with insightful leadership theories from academia. This unique blend of pr...