BHI is excited to highlight Rachel Rath’s recent LinkedIn Post, where she reflects on her first 90 days as Head of JLABS @ Washington, DC. Rachel, who recently joined the BHI Board of Directors, discusses the Mid-Atlantic’s strengths—including its talent pool, investor activity, and opportunities for deeper collaboration.
We look forward to continuing to work with Rachel and JLABS to drive growth and innovation in the BioHealth Capital Region.
90 Days In: Reflections on an Evolving Life Science Landscape in the Mid-Atlantic
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.
Time flies when you’re having fun! My first 90 days as Head of JLABS @ Washington, DC (JLABS DC) have been both energizing and eye-opening. While I’ve spent nearly 20 years in the DMV (DC-Maryland-Virginia), been part of Johnson & Johnson and the JLABS team for 5 years, and been based at JLABS DC since the site opened, it’s been fulfilling to move from a global role into a role that allows me to deep-dive into the local ecosystem that I call home. The DMV region and broader Mid-Atlantic region boast incredible strengths, but these first few months in the job have underscored the work that remains to unlock the region’s full potential. Here are three reflections as I recognize the strengths of this region and look at how JLABS DC can continue to help spur the region's trajectory:
The DMV is bigger than you think
At first glance, the DMV might seem like a compact region, but operating in this ecosystem quickly reveals its vastness—not just in geography, but in opportunity. Connecting with stakeholders and engaging in programs, meetings, and conferences in Baltimore, Frederick, and Manassas in a single day is as much a logistical feat as it is a metaphor for the challenge of fragmentation in our ecosystem. However, the diversity of the region also provides unique opportunities to support companies in customized ways. As a result, some of our Maryland and Virginia-based companies, like PAK BioSolutions, continue to operate in their local region and leverage our space in DC for additional benefits without uprooting operations.
Visit https://bit.ly/4gz9LQL to read Rachel's full post.