Life science leaders lauded with 2025 Bioscience Excellence Awards and inaugural accolades
Three Oregon leaders were recognized with well-deserved honors at Oregon Life Sciences’ Oregon Bio 2025 Annual Conference and Innovation Showcase, following nominations from their peers.
“Oregon’s life sciences sector is growing because of the people who push boundaries — in research, innovation, leadership, and policy,” said Liisa Bozinovic, executive director of Oregon Life Sciences. “These inaugural awards honor individuals who are advancing the industry in meaningful ways and laying the groundwork for future growth.”
Bioscience Entrepreneur of the Year: Connor Barth, Ph.D., Trace Biosciences
The inaugural Bioscience Entrepreneur of the Year was awarded to biomedical engineer Connor Barth, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO of Trace Biosciences. Trace Bio, a biotech startup emerging from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), is developing imaging agents that highlight nerves during surgery to help eliminate nerve damage.
A former graduate student and senior research associate at OHSU, Connor co-founded Trace Biosciences with Summer Gibbs. The startup is pursuing groundbreaking innovations in surgical imaging. Driven by a bold vision to reduce nerve injuries in the operating room, Trace Bio’s real-time imaging agents illuminate hard-to-see nerves, enabling surgeons to determine more precisely where to cut.
This recognition celebrates not only Connor’s entrepreneurial leadership but also the transformative potential of Trace Biosciences to reduce the number of patients who suffer nerve damage during surgery — currently estimated at 25 million each year. Connor and the Trace Bio team also captured the top spot in the Later-Stage Startup category at Oregon Bio’s 2024 Innovation Showcase.
Oregon Life Sciences asked Dr. Barth a few questions regarding Trace Biosciences.
Q: What inspired you to start your company and what specific bio problem are you solving?
A: I’m a scientist by training and worked in the field of biomedical engineering and specifically medical imaging. I’ve been working for a decade to focus on real-time fluorescence guided surgery to help surgeons see things better (specifically nerves) and improve patient outcomes. Millions of patients experience unwanted nerve damage during surgery across all specialties and we wanted to address that to help surgeons and patients avoid those complications.
In the discovery process we are doing very sophisticated chemistry, using a small molecule approach to create near infrared fluorescence so that it has the longer wavelength of light, allowing it to penetrate through tissues. This approach allows greater compatibility with clinical imaging systems, that surgeons are already using in the operating room. This will allow this technology to be more broadly adopted.
We got the technology to a point where it was ready for clinical translation, which I could see was a great opportunity from both the scientific and clinical perspective. I believed we could further it commercially, to discover something that has real and important health implications.
Q: What has been your biggest milestone so far?
A: It’s been taking our lead agent all the way through the Investigative New Drug enabling process to get new drug approval for our first contrast agent, which is necessary for patient testing. To do this, we needed to complete pharmacology and toxicology testing and to scale manufacturing of the compound in Good Manufacturing Practice approach. This means we needed to coordinate a lot of regulatory submissions and ensure the quality standards were met. Our team had never done anything like this before, so we leaned heavily on advisors and mentors. We put together a great team of advisors, consultants, contract research organizations and vendors, to ensure a collaborative process.
Q: How is your company contributing to Oregon’s life science ecosystem?
A: As a spin out of OHSU, we’ve contributed to the ecosystem as an example for other potential innovators and by mentoring back to other innovators at OHSU. I’ve shared our story and provided advice on how we did it and what we learned along the way, with postdocs, grad students and professors, whenever I can. We now have 3,000 square feet of office and lab space in Beaverton we’ve built out, and we’re able to work with regional resources to get that done. To hire the best talent, we’ve attracted folks from the East Coast and southern California because there are people very interested in Portland who say they want to live here and be here. We’re working to grow and sprout in the ecosystem.
“Winning the Entrepreneur of the Year is deeply validating for the work our team and I have put into building Trace Biosciences from the ground up,” said Dr. Barth. Oregon Life Sciences congratulates the inaugural Entrepreneur of the Year, Connor Barth, Ph.D., of Trace Biosciences.
Bioscience Woman of the Year: Honoring Leadership, Vision, and Impact
The growth of the life sciences sectors in the Pacific Northwest is increasingly driven by a more inclusive workforce. At the center of this progress are the women helping lead it forward. Across labs, incubators, boardrooms, and policy discussions, women in Oregon’s bioscience community are driving innovation, building companies, mentoring future leaders, and shaping the future of science in our state.
To recognize this momentum, Oregon Life Sciences created the first Bioscience Woman of the Year honor, and the inaugural award has been presented to Jenn Klotz, Local Government Affairs at Genentech. The award celebrates a biotech leader who is making outstanding contributions through innovation, mentorship, and statewide impact. This aligns with the mission of Oregon Bio Women, which is focused on increasing visibility, leadership, and opportunity for women across the bioscience ecosystem.
Jenn received strong praise from both her Genentech colleagues and industry peers for her broad leadership and enduring, forward-thinking influence in the biotechnology sector. She is also the founder of the Oregon Bio BIPOC group, now known as Bio Impact.
She was nominated by her colleague Tim Layton, Genentech’s Director of State Government Affairs, who cited her “career’s worth of contribution to the bioscience community.”
Jenn’s nomination highlighted her work creating and leading the Bio Impact initiative—organizing events designed to build community, foster connections, and help attract and retain diverse talent in the local biotech industry. She also plans and implements tours with local elected officials; serves as a thought leader for National Apprenticeship Month; engages company leadership in supporting Oregon Life Sciences workforce and apprenticeship programs; and strengthens key educational and community partnerships, including with Portland Community College’s Bioscience Technology Certificate program.
Jenn is widely recognized as a mentor throughout the biotech sector, supporting individuals ranging from students to Ph.D.-level researchers. “She is always advocating for the industry,” Tim noted, “and she is constantly finding new ways and opportunities for the industry to show up.”
Since joining Genentech in 2009, Jenn has been an exceptional ambassador for both the company and Oregon’s bioscience ecosystem. Her leadership has advanced the state’s bioscience presence through initiatives spanning workforce training, STEM education, community engagement, and high-profile partnerships—including Genentech’s collaboration with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Jenn describes herself—accurately, as her peers attest—as a “dynamic, accomplished leader building strong relationships and forging connections to drive impactful results.” As Genentech’s Senior Local Government Affairs lead for the Northwest, she champions local giving, social impact, and community engagement, all viewed through her “relentless lens of equity.” She is a passionate advocate, skilled spokesperson, and active change agent committed to strengthening both her company and her community.
Cailin Vargas of the Willamette Valley’s Collaborative Economic Development Organization, and a leader within Oregon Bio Women, chaired the awards and judging process. “It was an honor to lead the nomination and selection process for the inaugural Bioscience Woman of the Year Award,” she said. “The caliber of submissions from across Oregon’s bioscience ecosystem was truly impressive.” Each nominee was evaluated on leadership, innovation, mentorship and advocacy, community impact, and vision for the future of bioscience. Finalists also participated in live interviews scored individually using a detailed rubric.
“The judges were deeply impressed by the strength of all three finalists,” Vargas added, “but Jenn Klotz stood out for her extraordinary ability to connect statewide initiatives with real impact on workforce development and community engagement. Her leadership at Genentech, combined with her long-standing advocacy for Oregon’s bioscience industry, made her a clear and deserving choice.”
Jenn was one of three nominees, alongside Summer Gibbs, Ph.D., professor at OHSU and co-founder of Trace Biosciences, who is developing imaging technologies to improve surgical outcomes while mentoring early-career researchers; and Heather Ellis, executive director of OTRADI and the Oregon Bioscience Incubator, who supports bioscience entrepreneurs and fosters a collaborative, inclusive startup environment.
Reflecting on the award, Jenn shared: “The Oregon Bio Women’s network is working to champion women in our field, and it is invaluable. Being selected by them is profoundly humbling. I am proud to be part of this community, and I’m passionately excited that I get to work to make an impact on our future workforce—developing relationships in all communities and driving the future innovation of the Oregon life science ecosystem.”
Oregon Life Sciences congratulates Jenn on this exceptional leadership honor. As she noted, “I can’t wait to be a part of and see what is next as we grow in Oregon.”
Bioscience Legislator of the Year: Representative Daniel L. Nguyen
Oregon House Representative Daniel L. Nguyen (D–Dist. 38), business owner and chair of the House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business and Trade, has been named the inaugural Oregon Bioscience Legislator of the Year.
Nominator Heather Ellis, executive director of the Oregon Translational Research and Development Institute and the Oregon Bioscience Incubator, cited Rep. Nguyen’s leadership in championing House Bills 2417 and 2418 to strengthen innovation support in Oregon. She noted his specific involvement and interest in the bioscience industry and the Oregon Bioscience Incubator—located in his district—which helped secure a 33% increase in the state’s Center of Innovation Excellence program budget for 2025–2027. “A tremendous win,” she said, led by Rep. Nguyen.
His nomination addressed a key question: What legislative efforts or public policy actions has the nominee taken that support Oregon’s bioscience sector? Rep. Nguyen led House Bill 2417, which delivered a $3.2 million investment in Oregon’s five Centers of Innovation Excellence, and House Bill 2418, which aimed to expand state support for federal Small Business Innovation Research grants. Ellis emphasized that Rep. Nguyen guided both bills through the legislative process and was successful in securing budget for one of them.
“Bioscience is more than innovation—it’s a cornerstone of Oregon’s economic future,” said Rep. Nguyen. “By investing in life sciences, we’re not only creating high-wage jobs and attracting top talent, but we’re also unlocking breakthroughs that elevate the quality of life and healthcare for every community across our state.”
“Rep. Nguyen has demonstrated how strategic investment in Entrepreneurial Support Organizations—like the Oregon Bioscience Incubator—fuels innovation, mentoring, and training for entrepreneurs and early-stage companies,” said Liisa Bozinovic, Executive Director of Oregon Life Sciences. “He’s helped articulate a powerful vision for how Oregon can invest in innovation with lasting impact.”
“Rep. Nguyen’s leadership in economic development—both in his district and across the state—has delivered real wins for Oregon’s life sciences industry,” Bozinovic added. “Our community deeply values his business insight, advocacy, and partnership.”
Tim Layton, Director of State Government Affairs for Genentech and chair of Oregon Life Sciences’ Government Affairs and Advocacy Committee, noted that Rep. Nguyen has helped the bioscience industry become more effective in advocating for its needs, particularly around job creation and economic growth. “He is always willing to listen to the industry’s needs and its many success stories. He has made a huge difference.”
Rocky Dallum, Oregon Life Sciences’ government affairs consultant, added: “Rep. Nguyen understands the need for job growth in Oregon. He demonstrated this commitment by championing the biotech community’s effort to secure funding for grants to entrepreneurs and incubators. He will be a strong ally for businesses looking to start and grow here.”
Congratulations to the 2025 Bioscience Legislator of the Year, Rep. Daniel Nguyen.