IU LAB Bio Start-up Center executive director named

Indiana University has named Laura Rector executive director of the IU LAB Bio Start-up Center, effective June 9.

The IU LAB Bio Start-up Center is a cornerstone component of the IU Launch Accelerator for Biosciences, supporting IU faculty, students, alumni and other innovators in the life science and biotech space who aspire to transform their discoveries and ideas into marketable products. Rector, an IU alumna, will shape the center’s vision and operations and lead high-impact initiatives at the intersection of biosciences and technology.

Laura Rector.“Laura is a visionary leader with a diverse portfolio of successes as a venture‑backed CEO and global healthcare executive,” IU LAB President and CEO David Rosenberg said. “She has a proven track record of identifying the potential of promising science and ideas that do not have clear pathways to commercialization, and developing and executing strategic roadmaps to advance those innovations to industry.

“Her wealth of experience navigating venture creation, product development, FDA regulatory guidelines and other processes, and deep connections within the healthcare and life sciences ecosystem in Indiana and around the world, will be key assets in connecting cutting-edge research from IU innovators with corporate, venture and other partners to drive translational research and societal impact.”

Rector will guide startups from formation to venture-scale readiness by securing funding, establishing industry partnerships and launching products that address challenges in the biosciences and biotech sectors. She will also manage day-to-day operations of the IU Health Incubator at IU LAB; serve as the main liaison between IU LAB and its entrepreneurial community; and track key performance indicators such as startup creation, venture funding and participation metrics.

Rector brings over 30 years of experience building and scaling innovation-driven healthcare businesses to the role, most recently as founder and managing partner of the consulting company Vital: Growth Through Strategy, where she advised healthcare and life sciences organizations on venture creation, commercialization strategy and growth acceleration for emerging technologies.

She also held executive positions with Roche Diagnostics, Smith + Nephew and Johnson & Johnson.

“I am thrilled to join the team at IU LAB and add to the momentum behind such an important initiative,” Rector said. “The opportunity to lead the IU LAB Bio Start-up Center, support entrepreneurs and drive innovation outward is exciting. Indiana’s unique and robust ecosystem has the right ingredients to make this a world class program right here in the bioheartland.”

Rector earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the IU Kelley School of Business and a Master of Business Administration from Kennesaw State University.