April 6-9, 2027, Tulane University
Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the
Devlin Fieldhouse
Get ready for Louisiana’s first statewide university research & innovation summit, INNOVATE LOUISIANA
About INNOVATE LOUISIANA
Tulane University is transforming its Tulane Research, Innovation and Creativity Summit (TRICS) into INNOVATE LOUISIANA, a bold, statewide festival of ideas that puts the state’s best research, innovation, and creative work on one stage, in front of the people who can help take it further. Louisiana Economic Development (LED) is backing the expansion, with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Ochsner joining as founding academic partner institutions.
In Partnership With
“Ideas coming out of Louisiana’s classrooms and labs can compete anywhere in the world, and Innovate Louisiana doubles down on that talent. We’re throwing open the doors so the brightest minds at universities across the state can put their work in front of the people who can help take it further.”
Why should students, faculty, and research staff participate and present?
INNOVATE LOUISIANA will place your research in front of people who fund research, license technology, and hire talent. Presenting means your work is seen well beyond your campus, alongside peers from institutions statewide. This creates opportunities for feedback and connections that could lead to a funded collaboration, a licensing conversation, or a job offer for students.
Why should industry and business leaders attend?
This centralized event will offer access to curated research and talent from multiple major research universities in Louisiana in one place. For a company looking to sponsor research, license a technology, recruit graduate talent, or find its next investment, that’s a far more efficient path than building individual university relationships one at a time. It also creates opportunities to connect with researchers and talent statewide.
“Louisiana’s startups and established companies are hungry for new ideas and strong talent, and Innovate Louisiana creates an opportunity to bring research and industry together on a statewide stage. We’re confident the connections made at Innovate Louisiana will spark new partnerships, new companies, and new economic opportunity.”
On the Schedule
Tuesday, April 6, the event will kick off with a regional BioChallenge hosted by the New Orleans Bioinnovation Center.
Wednesday, April 7, and Thursday, April 8, startup founders, academics, and industry executives will network, listen to keynote presentations and lightning talks, and discover new research in poster sessions.
Wednesday, April 7, will close with a reception and Open Medical Innovation Challenge (MIC) Night, where students, faculty, and staff from across the state’s universities will pitch health and wellness ideas for feedback and a chance at prize money.
On Friday, April 9, the School of Science and Engineering Capstone Design Expo will highlight academic achievements and culminating capstone projects of students across Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Engineering Physics, and Computer Science.
Anyone who wants to learn something new, sponsor research, license a technology, or recruit graduate talent is welcome to attend. Complete schedule coming soon.
Keynote Speaker
Mary Pinder-Schenck, M.D.
Senior Vice President and Head of Global Medical Affairs, Revolution Medicines
Mary Pinder-Schenck, MD, is Senior Vice President and Head of Global Medical Affairs for Revolution Medicines, a global, commercial-stage company dedicated to discovering, developing and delivering innovative targeted medicines for patients living with cancer. Mary has been at the forefront of cancer research and drug development for over 20 years, bringing forward treatments that have transformed patient care, including targeted therapies, immune checkpoint inhibitors, cell therapies and antibody-drug conjugates. Prior to joining Revolution Medicines, Mary led Global Medical Affairs at Daiichi Sankyo. Previously, she served in key leadership roles at Kite Pharma, Merck, and GSK. Prior to her career in industry, Mary served on the faculty at Moffitt Cancer Center, where she cared for oncology patients, conducted clinical research and developed lung cancer guidelines as a National Comprehensive Cancer Network panel member. Throughout her career, Mary’s passion has been ensuring that innovative therapies reach the patients who need them: she bridges complex scientific advances, the realities of clinical practice and the lived experiences of cancer patients around the world.
Mary received her B.A. from Wellesley College and her M.D. from Stanford University School of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and her medical oncology fellowship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Parking & Ride Share Information
Rideshare drop off at 6705 Freret Street
offers a convenient option and short walk to the Avron B. Fogelman Arena Devlin Fieldhouse.
Tulane Visitor Parking Permits are available for purchase at $6 per day at tulane.aimsparking.com and are only valid in the Diboll Garage, second floor and above, excluding Reserved All Hours spaces and hourly spaces. Parking permits can also be purchased via the parking pay station located on the ground floor of the Diboll Garage, located at 31 Janet Yulman Way New Orleans, LA 70118.
Loyola University offers two, nearby garages on Freret Street with available parking for purchase via the ParkMobile app: West Road Garage (Zone 2481) and Freret Street Garage (Zone 2485)
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Interested in becoming an INNOVATE LOUISIANA partner? Contact Clay Christian at christian@tulane.edu
Past lightning talks from the Tulane Research Innovation and Creativity Summit
April 6–9, 2027
Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse at Tulane University