…I believe luck is not purely about chance, but rather the ability to recognize and seize opportunities when they arise. Throughout my non-traditional career, I’ve learned to build on each experience and remain open to new challenges…
I had the pleasure of interviewing Liz Horn, PhD, MBI. Liz Horn serves as Principal Investigator of Lyme Disease Biobank, a program of Bay Area Lyme Foundation created to provide much-needed blood, urine, and tissue samples to researchers studying Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections. More than 1250 participants (representing early Lyme, later stages of Lyme, persistent Lyme, and controls) have been enrolled. Each participant’s sample donation can support up to 50 different research projects. Liz earned her doctorate in molecular pharmacology and cancer therapeutics from SUNY at Buffalo, was a National Library of Medicine fellow in biomedical informatics and received her MBI from Oregon Health & Science University; she has spent 2 decades working with non-profit organizations to build research initiatives and collaborations with academia, other non-profits, and industry.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
While leading Lyme Disease Biobank, I’ve been fortunate to meet and collaborate with insightful scientists, doctors, and patient advocates all trying to make a difference for people suffering from this horrible disease. With more than half a million new cases of Lyme each year, Lyme doesn’t differentiate by race, gender, or socioeconomic status — of course, even celebrities are impacted. One of the most memorable experiences was meeting Debbie Gibson, who suffers from chronic/persistent Lyme disease, at one of my first events. As a fan, I shared that I did my majorette routine to “Electric Youth” and that my husband, who I went to high school with, had her picture in his locker. True story.
I continue to be inspired by passionate patient advocates like Debbie and the brilliant individuals working tirelessly to improve Lyme disease diagnostics and treatments. The dedication of this community is truly remarkable.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
When I was a graduate student rotating through different labs, there was one specific rotation where timers were always in short supply. Digital timers were critical for timing our lab experiments and ensuring the accuracy of the data we were collecting (this was before everyone had a timer on their phone). So, we didn’t have enough timers, and I needed one to time my DNA extraction. One of the lab technicians, Loretta, was off that day and I “borrowed” her timer for my experiment, but I accidentally dropped it into the toilet — and flushed it! We all laughed, but I had to tell Loretta that I lost her timer. Beyond the embarrassment, it taught me two key lessons: don’t take what you can’t replace and always invest in your team’s tools. These important lessons likely supported my career trajectory in more ways than I realized.
Can you describe how you or your organization is making a significant social impact?
At Bay Area Lyme Foundation, our mission is to make Lyme disease easy to diagnose and simple to cure. We are driving social impact by providing well-characterized samples through the Lyme Disease Biobank to more than 100 approved academic and industry projects focused on advancing diagnostic tests for Lyme and other tick-borne infections. Through our resources and infrastructure — often overlooked yet essential — we empower researchers to innovate and advance critical solutions for Lyme disease. To date, we’ve distributed more than 22,800 samples to researchers, which, if lined up end to end, would be taller than three Eiffel Towers.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual or individuals who was/were impacted or helped by your cause?
Through my role with the Lyme Disease Biobank, I had the opportunity to work with a group of UCLA bioengineers and physicists who used our Biobank samples and received funding from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation. I was serendipitously able to play a critical role in connecting them with another set of inspiring researchers from New York Medical College. The UCLA researchers developed a 3D-printed diagnostic test for Lyme disease that could be read via a smartphone, which filled a critical need. Research from the Lyme Disease Biobank has shown that the standard two-tier test for Lyme disease fails to accurately diagnose 71% of early stage cases. By connecting the UCLA group with researchers from New York Medical College, the collective group produced a groundbreaking paper published in Nature Communications and a prototype diagnostic. More exciting, the researchers are currently working on the next version of the test that will use whole blood without purification, exemplifying how collaboration and filling critical gaps can drive innovative solutions for Lyme disease diagnostics. We are hopeful that this point-of-care test will have a huge impact for Lyme disease patients and allow them to be diagnosed more quickly and accurately.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
To make Lyme disease simple to diagnose and easy to cure, we need to increase federal funding for research, educate healthcare providers and the public, and encourage Lyme patients to join research initiatives. Increasing federal funding for research with a focus on innovative diagnostic methods rather than incremental advancements is essential. Educating both healthcare providers and the public on the various presentations of Lyme disease, including the fact that the classic bullseye rash is rare as shown in one of our papers, is crucial for early detection and treatment. Additionally, encouraging those impacted by Lyme disease to contribute to research by joining initiatives like MyLymeData, a patient centered research community and registry database, will provide valuable insight to further our understanding and fight against the disease.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
To me, leadership is about consistently showing up and doing the work necessary to achieve your goals. It’s not about delegating tasks or just being in charge; it’s about leading by example and putting in the effort every day. If you expect your team to work hard and stay committed, you must first demonstrate that same dedication. Leadership is grounded in consistency, hard work, and being willing to step up to the plate, no matter the challenges. This creates trust and motivates others to follow your example.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
If I could speak to my younger self, I would offer the following advice:
1. Invest in the right tools and resources
When I moved into my first apartment, I realized that relying on hand-me-down kitchen tools wasn’t helping me thrive. I struggled with cooking because my knives were dull, and my pots and pans were worn. Once I invested in better, higher-quality tools, everything changed. This has also been the same in my experiences as a researcher. I learned that sometimes, it’s not only about your skill level — it’s about having the right resources to set yourself up for success.
2. Not everyone will be rooting for your success
I remember my first job in a nonprofit organization when a member of the medical board told me, “I don’t think they should’ve ever hired you.” That was tough to hear, but I didn’t let it discourage me. I worked hard, proved myself, and during the three years I was there we developed a great relationship. When I eventually left for another nonprofit, he told me how much I would be missed. It showed me that perseverance can turn even the most challenging situations around.
3. Volunteer outside of your profession
It’s crucial to have hobbies and interests that aren’t work-related — it helps you recharge and gives you other things to talk about. I volunteer with Guide Dogs for the Blind in Oregon. I even fostered 53 dogs over the years, with Ryan, my golden retriever, being my 50th. These experiences not only gave me fulfillment but also provided much-needed balance outside of my professional life.
4. Stretch more — your body will thank you later
About six years ago, I began incorporating more stretching into my workout routine, and it made a significant difference. Not only did it improve my flexibility, but I actually gained about half an inch in height, which was a pleasant surprise! Stretching after a workout is essential to prevent injury, and it can greatly benefit your overall health and well-being.
5. Don’t worry — you’ll be just fine
This lesson became especially clear after attending a recent Lyme event, where an individual pulled out icebreaker cards that she uses in her mentorship program. I pulled the card asking what I would tell my younger self, and responded, “Don’t worry — you’ll be just fine.” Looking back, everything I worried about worked out in time. Trusting in the process and not stressing too much has been essential to my growth, and I would encourage anyone starting out to embrace this mindset. And when you are stressed, find a workout you enjoy — I recommend tabata (and don’t forget to stretch).
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I would love to inspire a movement centered around kindness. In today’s world, it feels like empathy, compassion, and kindness towards others are sometimes lost in the shuffle. One of my favorite social media accounts, @bunsenberner.bmd really resonates with me — it’s a science account featuring three dogs and a cat that encourages science, empathy, and cuteness with the simple yet powerful tagline: “If you can be anything, be kind.” This message embodies what I believe we need more of: small acts of kindness that create ripples of positive change in our communities.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Chance favors the prepared mind” by Louis Pasteur and “I can do this all day” from Captain America are two quotes that resonate with me. I believe luck is not purely about chance, but rather the ability to recognize and seize opportunities when they arise. Throughout my non-traditional career, I’ve learned to build on each experience and remain open to new challenges. And on days when the work is really hard, I just remind myself that I CAN do this — and I can do this all day!
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
I admire Elizabeth Warren for her calculated planning and how she approaches challenges with such thoughtful strategy. Additionally, I’d love to meet Bailey, her golden retriever, and introduce Bailey to my golden retriever Ryan that I adopted through my volunteer work with Guide Dogs. I feel like it would be a fun, dog-loving gathering!
How can our readers further follow your work online?
To follow my work with the Lyme Disease Biobank online, you can find updates at https://www.bayarealyme.org/biobank/ and connect with me on Bluesky @lymebiobank.bsky.social and on X @LymeBiobank, where I share insights and research publications. Additionally, I contribute to the Bay Area Lyme Foundation’s newsletter, and their social media channels provide valuable information on additional Lyme disease research and initiatives. (X: @BayAreaLyme, Instagram: @bayarealymefoundation, LinkedIn: Bay Area Lyme Foundation, and Facebook: Bay Area Lyme Foundation) Be sure to check out their pages for more on our efforts to raise awareness and promote education around Lyme disease.
Thank you so much for all of these fantastic insights. We wish you continued sussess.
Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Liz Horn Of Lyme Disease Biobank Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.