LifeSciKY is Kentucky’s dedicated nonprofit laboratory incubator that accelerates life science startups by providing affordable, fully equipped lab spaces, shared instrumentation, and mentorship to advance regional innovation. Pulse 2.0 interviewed LifeSciKY Executive Director Dr. Christin Godale to learn more.
Dr. Christin Godale’s Background
Could you tell me more about your background? Dr. Godale said:
“Prior to leading LifeSciKY, I served as the Director of Life Sciences at CincyTech, where I had a front-row seat to breakthrough technologies and the privilege of helping founders turn promising ideas into real companies. Before that, I earned my Ph.D. in neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati and completed my dissertation at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, which was an experience that taught me not just how to do science, but why it matters. Across research, venture capital, and now executive leadership, the throughline in my career has been simple: I love helping bold thinkers bring innovative science into the world. That mission is what energizes me every day at LifeSciKY. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned along the way, it’s that great science happens when people have both the room and support to grow it.”
Primary Roles
What are your primary responsibilities? Dr. Godale shared:
“As Executive Director, I’m responsible for building and strengthening the life sciences ecosystem in Kentucky and Cincinnati. Practically, that means leading stakeholder engagement, guiding our operational and strategic priorities, and developing the partnerships and infrastructure that help companies form, grow, and thrive. But at the heart of the role is something more fundamental: building a connected community where founders feel supported and innovation can thrive. I spend a lot of time opening doors, connecting the dots, and ensuring our region’s strengths work together rather than in silos.”
What is LifeSciKY?
What is LifeSciKY, and how did it come to fruition? Dr. Godale explained:
“LifeSciKY is a nonprofit dedicated to advancing science, education, and entrepreneurship across Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati. Our board, a group of scientists, founders, and business leaders, saw a clear gap: brilliant early-stage life sciences companies were emerging here, but there was no shared lab space or infrastructure to support them. So we decided to change that. In 2025, we opened a 15,000-square-foot shared laboratory designed specifically for early-stage innovators. It gives founders access to critical equipment, facilities, and resources they simply couldn’t find elsewhere in the region. And because talent is just as important as technology, we also invest heavily in STEM education and student fellowships to help build the workforce of tomorrow.”
Objectives
What are the company’s initial goals/objectives? Dr. Godale pointed out:
“Our goal is to position Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati as a nationally recognized hub for life sciences innovation. To do that, we’re giving startups something they’ve historically lacked here: affordable, high-quality lab space, shared scientific equipment, and a community designed for growth. Through LifeSciKY, startups gain access to more than $1.6M in shared equipment, fully equipped private and shared lab facilities, and a network of regional partners who want them to succeed. In short, we’re working to reduce barriers and accelerate the path from idea to impact.”
Life Sciences Sector In The Region
Can you give me a brief overview of the life sciences sector in the Cincinnati/NKY region, and how the company fits within it? Dr. Godale described:
“The Cincinnati/NKY region is building genuine momentum in life sciences. We have strong academic institutions, world-class healthcare systems, established biotech and medtech companies, and an increasingly steady stream of high-quality startups emerging from local research. LifeSciKY serves as both anchor and accelerator within that ecosystem. We provide the physical foundation that allows companies to start, relocate, and grow here, and we act as a convener, bringing researchers, founders, investors, and industry leaders into the same conversation. Our aim is simple: unify the region’s strengths and elevate our tri-state presence onto the national stage.”
Why Now Is The Right Time
Why is this the time for your company to establish? Dr. Godale revealed:
“Right now, our region is experiencing real momentum in life sciences. What we lacked was the infrastructure to convert that momentum into company formation and long-term growth. LifeSciKY was created to close that gap. Early-stage founders shouldn’t have to leave the region to develop their technologies. By stepping in now, we’re meeting an urgent need and ensuring the Northern Kentucky–Cincinnati tri-state can compete for the companies and technologies shaping the future.”
Differentiate From Other Regions
How will the company differentiate its region from others? Dr. Godale affirmed:
“What sets our region apart is that we’re big enough to matter, but small enough to move fast. In coastal markets, startups can get lost in the noise. Here, founders get direct access to decision-makers, mentors, and partners who genuinely want to help them win.”
“LifeSciKY amplifies that advantage. We offer affordable lab space, hands-on support, and a community that celebrates progress together. Not a copy of Boston or San Diego, but something entirely our own. We’re building something uniquely ours: a Northern Kentucky–Cincinnati tri-state innovation ecosystem that’s collaborative, accessible, and accelerating by the day. It’s a place where innovators can plant roots, scale with support, and become part of a region that’s growing just as fast as they are.”
Milestones
What milestones or indicators will you use to measure progress or success? Dr. Godale concluded:
“We look at progress through the lens of both impact and momentum. On the impact side, we monitor how many startups we’re helping launch or accelerate, how quickly they’re advancing their science, and whether they’re securing the talent, partnerships, and funding they need to grow. On the momentum side, we pay close attention to the health of the broader ecosystem — new collaborations formed, national visibility gained, and the strength of our tri-state pipeline. When founders tell us they stayed in the region because LifeSciKY exists, that’s a milestone too. Those are the signals that tell us we’re moving the needle.”
