Valerie Hardcastle, PhD
Dr. Valerie Gray Hardcastle joined Northern Kentucky University in June 2018 as the St. Elizabeth Healthcare Executive Director of the Institute for Health Innovation and Vice President for Health Innovation. In these roles, she advocates for regional health initiatives, leads health policy discussions, pursues externally funded research, promotes transdisciplinary health innovation across the institution, and attracts healthcare talent to NKU and the region.
An internationally recognized scholar, Dr. Hardcastle has authored five books and over 200 essays, focusing on the nature and structure of interdisciplinary theories in cognitive science. She has developed a philosophical framework for understanding conscious phenomena responsive to neuroscientific and psychological data. Her recent research investigates how the nature of addiction can shed light on what it means to be human.
Dr. Hardcastle holds an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in cognitive science and philosophy from the University of California, San Diego, a master’s degree in philosophy from the University of Houston, and a bachelor’s degree with a double major in philosophy and political science from the University of California, Berkeley.
Why LifeSciKY Matters to Me
I joined the LifeSciKY board to help foster regional collaboration in innovation, which will accelerate economic development in the region. Since coming to NKU, I have raised more than $18 million to support innovation in all aspects of healthcare—from creating a rural nurse educational program to founding and overseeing SoCap Accelerate, a regional accelerator for health-related companies, to creating care coordination systems for individuals with substance use disorder in our underserved communities. LifeSciKY’s mission to build a thriving ecosystem in the life sciences aligns perfectly with my passion for supporting innovation, advancing regional growth, and creating opportunities for health-focused research. I’m excited to contribute to this initiative.
What I Love About Our Region
Northern Kentucky offers tremendous natural beauty, the ease of living in a small town, and an extremely livable metropolitan area, all within a half-hour drive. The region’s blend of academic talent, technical expertise, and a can-do spirit creates a dynamic environment for innovation and entrepreneurship. I’m proud to be part of its future.