What if researchers could test new medicines on lab-grown human tissue before they ever reached clinical trials?

In this episode of our Building Biotech in Lower Alabama series, Stephanie Glines sits down with Yuan Tian, founder of Vivosphere, to discuss how his company is developing artificial human tissue models designed to improve drug discovery and regenerative medicine.

Yuan shares his journey from arriving in the United States with two suitcases to earning a Ph.D. at Auburn University and transforming his research into a biotech startup. He explains how Vivosphere’s technology creates 3D human tissue models that mimic how cells behave inside the body, helping researchers evaluate potential therapies more accurately before they reach patients.

The conversation explores the challenges of drug development, the potential of regenerative medicine, the role of artificial intelligence in biotech, and how the Hatch Biotech Accelerator helped prepare Vivosphere for future growth.

In This Episode:

• Yuan’s journey from graduate student to biotech founder
• How Vivosphere creates lab-grown human tissue models
• Improving drug discovery and reducing clinical trial failures
• Potential applications in regenerative medicine and stem cell therapies
• The role of AI in biotech research and drug development
• Auburn University’s role in commercializing the technology
• Lessons learned through the Hatch Biotech Accelerator
• Advice for founders building science-based companies

Notable Quotes:

“Innovation shouldn’t stop at the end of the publication. It should be the beginning of something bigger.”

“We’re trying to bridge the gap between preclinical research and clinical success.”

Learn More

Yuan Tian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuantianauburn/

Vivosphere: https://vivospheres.com

About the Building Biotech Series

Building Biotech in Lower Alabama is a special series from the Hatch Podcast featuring founders, researchers, and innovators developing new technologies and companies across the Gulf Coast region.

About The Hatch Podcast

At the intersection of innovation, creativity, and community — The Hatch Podcast shares stories from founders, scientists, and artists shaping the future of Alabama’s Gulf Coast.

🎧 Follow us on your favorite platform and share an episode to help us grow.

🔗 Learn more: hatchfairhope.com

📩 Contact: team@hatchfairhope.com

Produced by Tim Scott for The Hatch Podcast Network.

What started as research at an Air Force laboratory eventually led David Nelson and his team to develop a new way to measure blood flow without needles, probes, or invasive procedures.

In this episode of our Building Biotech in Lower Alabama series, Stephanie Glines sits down with David Nelson, founder of Spectratherm, to discuss REFLO, a technology designed to measure microcirculation using low-power radio frequency signals and temperature response.

David shares the surprising origin story behind the technology, how it could help vascular surgeons evaluate blood flow during critical procedures, and why one surgeon described the approach as “the holy grail” of vascular surgery. He also talks about the journey from university research to startup founder, lessons learned through the Hatch Biotech Accelerator, and what’s next as Spectratherm moves toward clinical testing and FDA approval.

In This Episode:

• David’s 40-year career in engineering and academia
• The Air Force research project that inspired SpectroTherm
• How REFLO measures blood flow without penetrating the skin
• Potential applications in vascular surgery and patient care
• Moving from research and patents to commercialization
• Lessons from the Hatch Biotech Accelerator
• Advice for first-time founders

Learn More

• David Nelson: LinkedIn Profile

About the Building Biotech Series

Building Biotech in Lower Alabama is a special series from the Hatch Podcast featuring founders, researchers, and innovators developing new technologies and companies across the Gulf Coast region.

About The Hatch Podcast

At the intersection of innovation, creativity, and community — The Hatch Podcast shares stories from founders, scientists, and artists shaping the future of Alabama’s Gulf Coast.

🎧 Follow us on your favorite platform and share an episode to help us grow.

🔗 Learn more: hatchfairhope.com

📩 Contact: team@hatchfairhope.com

Produced by Tim Scott for The Hatch Podcast Network.

In this episode of the Hatch Podcast: Building Biotech, Stephanie Glines sits down with Marlo Young, founder and CEO of New Mindset Consulting and creator of Mentalocity, a platform designed to help people turn mental health awareness into daily action.

Drawing from her background in counseling, psychology, education, and mental health advocacy, Marlo shares how she created Mentalocity to help people build healthier routines through self-paced modules, daily mindset check-ins, journaling, coaching support, and community.

Stephanie and Marlo discuss:

• Why mental health literacy matters
• The difference between mental health and mental disorders
• How Mentalocity helps bridge the gap between awareness and action
• Using AI tools to build a user-friendly wellness platform
• Marlo’s four-phase model: awareness, action, resilience, and growth
• How the Innovation Portal Tech Academy helped shape the app
• What Marlo gained from the Hatch Biotech Accelerator
• Advice for founders without a traditional technology background

Learn more about New Mindset Consulting:
New Mindset Consulting Website
https://newmindsetllc.com/

Connect with Marlo Young:
Marlo Young LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrs-marlo-young-m-s-0a333a101/

Building Biotech is a special series from the Hatch Podcast featuring founders and innovators from the latest Hatch Biotech Accelerator cohort. To learn more about Hatch, upcoming programs, and future accelerator opportunities, visit:
Hatch Fairhope
https://hatchfairhope.com/

About The Hatch Podcast

At the intersection of innovation, creativity, and community — The Hatch Podcast shares stories from founders, scientists, and artists shaping the future of Alabama’s Gulf Coast.

🎧 Follow us on your favorite platform and share an episode to help us grow.

🔗 Learn more: hatchfairhope.com

📩 Contact: team@hatchfairhope.com

Produced by Tim Scott for The Hatch Podcast Network.