Tulane's first Immersion Day to spotlight biotech advances for industry, investors and foundations

From breakthroughs in regenerative medicine to advances in vaccine and drug development, Tulane University School of Medicine will showcase its latest research discoveries to biotechnology firms, venture capitalists, foundations and potential collaborators at its first Immersion Day.

The event, scheduled from noon to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 11, will feature an opening keynote by best-selling author and Tulane history professor Walter Isaacson followed by a series of short, rapid-fire presentations and question and answer sessions from more than 20 Tulane scientists. A networking reception will follow.

“We’ve put together a tasting menu of some of our most innovative science in a dynamic and easily accessible way for those in the private sector to learn more about our state-of-the-art research and potential opportunities for collaboration,” said James Zanewicz, School of Medicine chief business officer

The event is free, but space is limited and advanced registration is required. Industry executives can register and find full program information here.

Faculty will present updates on projects to produce better diagnostics for Lyme disease; develop a safer, non-addictive drug alternative to opioid painkillers and create a blood test to diagnose ischemic strokes. There will also be presentations on advances in cancer research, gene therapy and the impacts of circadian rhythm and light on cancer biology.

Tulane School of Medicine has a wide range of research, innovations and facility strengths across all stages of the research continuum, including basic, applied, advanced and clinical. Research strengths include infectious disease, cardiovascular and related diseases, cancer, neuroscience, regenerative medicine, peptide chemistry and more. Tulane is also one of the only research universities with a medical school, school of public health and tropical medicine and a national primate research center.

Immersion Day is the part of a broader initiative by the School of Medicine to engage industry professionals. The school recently launched a new In-Residence Immersion Program that offers biotech executives, venture capitalists, scientists and entrepreneurs visiting New Orleans from across the country a fully functional on-the-go workspace on its downtown campus.

The program gives executives a temporary home base at Tulane steps away from the pioneering research happening in labs, clinics and classrooms throughout the health sciences campus in the heart of the city’s medical and biotech corridor. The new program gives those from larger biotech markets like Boston, San Francisco or San Diego an easy way to learn about the New Orleans research community and opportunities for partnerships.

To request space or to learn more about the program, visit https://engage.tulane.edu.