Nucleate New Orleans Experiences Significant Interest and Growth
Nucleate New Orleans was launched in 2023 by Tulane and LSUHSC students, including
former LSUHSC MD/MPH student Bry Reinhardt and former LSUHSC MD/PhD student Donnell
White, with a mission to empower the next generation of life sciences leaders by fostering
innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship in the New Orleans community.
“Our overall vision and goal are to further establish New Orleans as a thriving hub for life sciences innovation, where groundbreaking ideas are nurtured, diverse talent flourishes, and a lasting impact is made on both local and global scales,” said Eric Eymard, an MD/PhD student at LSUHSC and Co-Director of Partnerships for Nucleate New Orleans.
The group hosts multiple events throughout the year that connect both local leaders
and the general community with the scientific community. In August, Nucleate New Orleans,
together with the New Orleans Bioinnovation Center, hosted Brainpower in Biotech,
a panel and networking event that highlighted the future of neuroscience innovation
and biotech in New Orleans and its potential to become a specialized hub for brain
sciences startups.
Other events include workshops for the local community, including a “pitch yourself”
workshop and an IP Law workshop that was co-hosted with Baker Donelson. The group
also works to highlight diversity in the area through cocktail hours and invitation
only dinners that highlight women in life sciences.
Bright Kids in Biotech (BKIB) is an annual hands-on introduction, workshop and pitch
competition for area high school students to biotechnology and entrepreneurship. This
year, participation in BKIB more than tripled in the third year Nucleate has hosted
the initiative in collaboration with Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans.
Nucleate New Orleans can be reached via several social media platforms including LinkedIn,
Instagram (@nucleateneworleans), and email (haleym@nucleate.org or samuel.v@nucleate.org).
The chapter is currently seeking sponsors for the next academic year and funding to
attend the BIO conference in San Diego this Summer.
Nucleate New Orleans is led by:
- Sammy Vodovoz, Co-Managing Director and Tulane medical student
- Haley Marcotte, Co-Managing Director and Tulane PhD student
- Eric Eymard, Co-Director of Partnerships, LSUHSC MD/PhD student
- Isabel Sagheb, Co-Director of Partnerships, Tulane PhD student
- William Lewis, Director of Communications, Tulane PhD student
Sponsors for the 2025-2026 academic year include New Orleans Bioinnovation Center,
Albert LePage Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Tulane, Tulane Innovation
Institute, The Idea Village, PlansConnect, and The Shop Workspace.