Walter Isaacson to join fireside chat at BIO on the BAYOU 2025

BIO on the BAYOU 2025 will feature a fireside chat and Q&A session with Walter Isaacson, acclaimed author of bestselling biographies on innovators including Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, and Leonardo da Vinci. A native of New Orleans, Isaacson has spent his career telling the stories of people whose ideas transformed the world, making him the perfect voice to set the stage for a conference dedicated to discovery and innovation.

“I’ve spent my career telling the stories of innovators who changed the world,” said Isaacson. “At BIO on the BAYOU, I look forward to celebrating the discoveries and the people in the Gulf South who are writing the next chapter of that story.”

BIO on the BAYOU has become a premier gathering for showcasing research and connecting biotech leaders from the Gulf South and beyond. From groundbreaking science to investment opportunities, the conference offers attendees a front-row seat to the region’s growing role in the life sciences.

Elaine Hamm, PhD, Executive in Residence at Tulane University School of Medicine, said Isaacson’s fireside chat will elevate the conference to new levels. “Walter Isaacson has a gift for bringing science to the forefront and showing how discovery shapes our lives,” said Hamm. “Having him join the conference reflects exactly what BIO on the BAYOU is about, shining a light on the incredible and powerful stories still being written in our labs, hospitals, and companies.”

For sponsors and attendees, it’s an unparalleled chance to connect with the people shaping the future of biotech in the Gulf South and beyond. BIO on the BAYOU will be even bigger this year. The two-day event includes fast-pitch panels, an expanded lineup of expert sessions, and more partnering tables. With Isaacson headlining the program, this year’s conference promises both inspiration and insight for anyone passionate about the future of medicine, technology, and human progress.

Mr. Isaacson is the Leonard Lauder Professor of American History and Values at Tulane University. He’s the past CEO of the Aspen Institute, where he is now a Distinguished Fellow, and has been the chairman of CNN and the editor of TIME magazine. Isaacson also serves on the board of United Airlines, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Society of American Historians, New Schools for New Orleans, the U.S. Defense Department Innovation Board, and My Brother’s Keeper Alliance. He is an advisory partner at Perella Weinberg, a financial services firm based in New York City.

BIO on the BAYOU will be held on October 28 & 29, 2025. For more information and tickets, visit bioonthebayou.com.