Allyson Barker

The Roux Institute offers unparalleled access to Northeastern University’s global research community and entrepreneurial ecosystem, backed by a network of founders, investors, mentors, and partners. Having been with the Roux Institute since December 2021, Allyson Barker leads Health and Life Science Venture Creation, helping portfolio founders in this sector accelerate their companies by connecting them to every resource across the ecosystem. For the last three years, managing the Future of Healthcare Founder Residency — built with Northern Light Health, Maine Venture Fund, MaineHealth, and Maine Technology Institute — which has brought promising health tech companies to Maine and paired them with researchers, mentors, co-op students, and clinical partners.

Allyson’s path into health innovation began in international development and community dietetics. After two years in the Peace Corps Nepal as a health/food security volunteer, she worked as a WIC Dietetic Nutritionist in Dorchester, MA, deepening her grounding in public health and nutrition. She then spent four years with the INGO buildOn in service learning and education — based in Nepal but working across Haiti, Malawi, and Senegal — sharpening her skills in program management, experiential learning, and stakeholder engagement in resource-limited settings.

Relocating to the US, Allyson found the Roux Institute — a place to apply her health-sector background globally while acting locally. She’s most fulfilled supporting high-growth health and life science companies co-located right here in Portland, Maine. When she isn’t traveling, you can find her finishing the home she built with her husband in New Gloucester, or out lobstering in their boat, the Dilly Dilly.