About me
Connor Barth is a scientist-turned-entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in fluorescence-guided surgery, imaging agent development, and clinical translation. He earned his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Oregon Health & Science University, where he pioneered fluorescent contrast agents for tumor and nerve detection. Motivated by the potential of imaging to transform surgical precision, he co-founded Trace Biosciences to advance Nerve Trace, first-in-class nerve-specific imaging agents designed to prevent surgical nerve injury. As CEO, Connor has steered Trace through critical milestones, securing more than $9M in funding from NIH, ARPA-H, NSF, and private investors and advancing Nerve Trace through preclinical validation and IND-enabling studies to Phase I clinical trials launching later this year. He has been recognized in several pitch competitions including SciFounders, Life Science Innovation Northwest, and the Oregon Bioscience Showcase, and his research has been published in leading journals such as Science Translational Medicine and Advanced Materials. Connor is dedicated to bringing next-generation imaging technologies from the lab to the operating room - improving patient outcomes and redefining surgical safety and precision.
