GRA President and CEO Susan Shows to Retire with 22-Year Legacy

Tenure marked by shaping all major aspects of the organization

Susan Shows headshot

A driving factor in the development and success of the Georgia Research Alliance over a tenure that has spanned more than two decades, President and CEO Susan Shows today announced her retirement from the Alliance at the fall meeting of GRA’s Board of Trustees.

Since joining GRA in 2001 as vice president, Shows was instrumental in shaping each of the organization’s areas of operation. She worked closely with member universities to bring top scientific talent to their campuses, playing an active role in the recruitment of most of GRA’s 78-member Academy of Scientists. She also partnered with university leaders to identify “best investments” in high-tech lab equipment and core research facilities to make Georgia’s institutions more competitive in winning lucrative research grants and contracts.

And 20 years ago, she served as chief architect of GRA’s venture development program, a multi-faceted enterprise that has helped launch 240 high-potential startup companies with operations in Georgia, all based on inventions made by university scientists in Georgia.

While serving in the senior vice president role, Shows placed collaboration and impact at the center of these and other activities. She often brokered working partnerships among scientists and universities and between academia and industry. And she developed the statistical framework for providing funders with an accountability of GRA’s performance and its return on the state’s investment in GRA programs.

Since being named president and CEO of GRA in September 2020, Shows has continued to grow GRA’s talent, infrastructure and entrepreneurship programs while also launching several initiatives that leverage university research strengths to address areas of priority for the state.  

“GRA owes so much of its success to Susan, and it would not be the organization it is today without her,” says GRA Board Chair David Ratcliffe. “Her early work in GRA’s program areas was both foundational and durable. As president and CEO, she has brought a new level of agility to the Alliance by creating and seizing opportunities to make an impact in agricultural technology, artificial intelligence, Sickle Cell Disease and workforce development.  And the taxpayers of Georgia should be pleased to know that GRA’s return on investment grew to $13 billion this year.”

Shows will continue to serve in an advisory role until the end of GRA’s fiscal year next June. In reflecting on her tenure with the Alliance, Shows said: “GRA works in so many different ways for the single purpose of growing Georgia’s economy. It has been a great privilege to have been a part of this unique organization, and to have worked on teams of true professionals in government, industry and academia, all to benefit Georgia’s excellent universities and the state as a whole.”

Georgia Life Sciences Launches New Podcast Series, Vitals, in Partnership with Cloudcast Media

October 6, 2025
Atlanta, GA — October 6 — Georgia Life Sciences today announced the launch of Vitals, a new podcast series developed in partnership with Cloudcast Media, a leader in branded podcast production. The series will spotlight the people, ideas, and innovations shaping the future of Georgia’s rapidly growing life sciences sector. Hosted by Georgia Life Sciences’ CEO, Maria Thacker Goethe, Vitals will feature in-depth conversations with scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, educators, policymakers, and patient advocates. Each episode will explore the challenges and opportunities facing Georgia’s life sciences ecosystem—spanning biopharma, medical technology, digital health, and advanced manufacturing. “Vitals gives us a powerful platform to showcase the remarkable work happening within our state,” said Maria Thacker Goethe. “By sharing these stories, we’re highlighting not only groundbreaking science but also the collaboration and talent that make Georgia such a vibrant hub for health innovation.” Cloudcast Media, known for its expertise in storytelling and high-quality podcast production, will bring industry insights and technical support to ensure the series reaches audiences across Georgia and beyond. “We’re proud to partner with Georgia Life Sciences on Vitals,” said Charles Parisi, Founder and CEO of Cloudcast. “This series will elevate the voices of innovators who are advancing science, improving patient outcomes, and building Georgia’s reputation as a global life sciences leader. We are very excited that Cloudcast Atlanta can play a role in supporting Maria and the impactful work of Georgia Life Sciences.” The first episode of Vitals launched today and is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major streaming platforms, as well as through the Georgia Life Sciences website.

BIO Statement on Most Favored Nation Policies

October 1, 2025
September 30, 2025 WASHINGTON, D.C. – John F. Crowley, President and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) released the following statement on Most Favored Nation policies: "For too many years, Americans have subsidized the research and development necessary to bring newer and better medicines to patients around the world. As we saw with defense spending and NATO, the solution is not to weaken a strategically important American industry, but for other countries to pay their fair share. “Today’s announcement in the Oval Office highlights the problems with a drug delivery system where half of the cost of innovative medicines goes to middlemen and distributors, and where the supply chain distorts prices paid by the American people. We support a new framework that addresses the cost of medicines by simplifying the system - and making medicines directly available to patients. “But importing socialist price controls through most-favored nation policies fundamentally does not address the imbalance in international pricing for innovative medicines. MFN will not lower the out-of-pocket prices that most Americans pay for medicines. Even worse, it will jeopardize the entrepreneurial spirit and deter the capital necessary for a vibrant and essential American biotechnology industry to thrive and may cause most harm to small and midsize biotech companies, which are responsible for discovering more than half of all new treatments. “Without these biotech innovators and a free-market system, we risk slower scientific progress, decreased access to new medicines, compromised national security, fewer American jobs and perhaps most tragically, a diminished hope for those suffering with illness and disease. There are much better ways to address this problem than MFN.” ###

September GBG Report Now Available – Federal Funding Insights for Georgia Life Sciences Members

September 11, 2025
Members are invited to join G2G’s Monthly GBG Reporting Service Webinar on September 18, 2025 . The first portion ( 12:00–12:30 PM ET ) is free and open to all, offering a high-level overview of current federal funding trends. The second half ( 12:30–1:00 PM ET ) is a premium consultation available only to Georgia Life Sciences members, offering direct access to G2G’s expert team—who have helped secure over $550 million in non-dilutive government funding since 2007. Register here: https://www.g2gconsulting.com/event/non-dilutive-funding-g2gs-monthly-gbg-reporting-service-webinar-14-3/2025-09-18/ Key opportunities this month include DARPA’s Expedited Research Innovation System for CBRN threat defense technologies, BARDA’s I-CREATE diagnostic funding and VANGUARD biomanufacturing tools development (each offering up to $200,000), NIAID tuberculosis and influenza research units (up to $1.5–$2.5 million annually), DoD’s $4 million Advanced Medical Monitor development through MTEC, and multiple SBIR opportunities for sensors and field-deployable diagnostics (up to $209,575 for Phase I awards). The September GBG report highlights 13 immunology and infectious disease opportunities, 10 cognitive and brain health programs, and several biotechnology and biomanufacturing initiatives across federal agencies including the Army, ARPA-H, BARDA, and NSF. Georgia Life Sciences members can access the complete 29-page report with detailed deadlines and eligibility requirements [insert link or portal instructions here]. GLS members can access the full 29-page report with deadlines and submission details by logging into your member portal.
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