BIO from the BAYOU: Build Your Biotech Network with Key Opinion Leaders and Investors

James Zanewicz

Are you struggling to find investors, funding, collaborators, and strategic connections in the ever-changing world of biotech? This show empowers biotech leaders with the tools, assets, and expertise to improve healthcare outcomes. Listen to “Bio from the Bayou” to learn how to: - Expand your network - Advance your product line - Make your company thrive With over two decades of experience in biotech and business development each, hosts James Zanewicz and Elaine Hamm (from Tulane University School of Medicine) talk with  their friends from the Gulf South and beyond to offer advice on networking, communication, and innovation, as well as unprecedented access to interviews with key opinion leaders in biotech. Every Wednesday, tune in to hear 15–20-minute episodes centered around solving biotech’s greatest challenges. If you’re ready to take the necessary steps towards success, start with fan-favorite Episode 58: Top Ways to Build Your Network as an Introvert in Biotech.

  1. 2d ago

    Episode 150: Building the Next Generation of Biotech Leaders with Nucleate

    How can students start building a future in biotech before they even leave the lab? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, sits down with Haley Marcotte, Co-Managing Director of Nucleate New Orleans and a PhD student at Tulane University School of Medicine. Haley shares how discovering biotech as an undergraduate opened her eyes to career possibilities beyond traditional academia and how she is now helping other students make those connections through Nucleate. From workshops on AI and intellectual property to conversations about emerging areas of science, Nucleate brings students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals together to learn about life science innovation. In this episode, you’ll discover: How Nucleate is helping students explore biotech, entrepreneurship, and career opportunities beyond traditional academic paths. Why connecting students across universities and with the broader life science community can help strengthen emerging biotech ecosystems. How students and industry professionals alike can get involved, build their networks, and help develop the next generation of biotech leaders. Whether you’re a student wondering what opportunities exist beyond academia or an established biotech professional looking for a way to give back, tune in to hear how getting involved today can help build a stronger life science community for tomorrow. Links: Connect with Haley Marcotte and learn about Nucleate New Orleans. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Check out Nucleate’s event on September 10, 2026, at 6pm. Connect with Sammy Vodovoz and Chad Steele, PhD. Learn more about NOBIC, The BioChallenge, and Tulane Innovation Institute. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast.   Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.

  2. Aug 12

    Episode 149: How Biotech Founders Can Connect with Family Offices Beyond the Pitch Deck

    Could family offices help biotech founders unlock new sources of capital in an increasingly challenging fundraising environment? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, sits down with Danielle Patterson, Executive Director of Family Office at ISS Market Intelligence, to explore the growing role of family offices in startup investing. Danielle shares her entrepreneurial journey, explains why founders need to move beyond the traditional “spray and pray” approach to fundraising, and offers strategies for identifying family offices whose interests, values, and investment goals align with their companies. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why family offices can offer patient, long-term capital - and why founders need to approach them differently from traditional institutional investors. How visibility, value alignment, and genuine relationship-building can help founders establish trust with potential investors. How better market intelligence can help entrepreneurs identify the right family offices and focus their fundraising efforts on relationships with the greatest potential. For biotech founders looking beyond traditional sources of capital, this conversation offers a new way to think about fundraising. Links: Connect with Danielle Patterson and learn about ISS Market Intelligence. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Check out Elaine’s book recommendations: The Fine Art of Small Talk, The Speed of Trust, How to Talk to Anyone, and The Vault Guide to Schmoozing. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast.   Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.

  3. Aug 5

    Episode 148: How AI, Supply Chains, and Smart Strategy are Redefining Biotech Investment and Venture Capital (RE-RELEASE)

    How can biotech startup founders navigate the intersection of science, technology, and data to build truly durable companies? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, talks with Cain McClary, MD, Founder and Managing Partner of KdT Ventures, a seed-stage venture firm investing at the convergence of science and technology. A Tulane alumnus and “supply chain junkie,” Cain shares how curiosity, data-driven insight, and strategic storytelling can set biotech innovators apart. In this episode, you’ll learn: ·       The biggest mistakes biotech startups make—and how to avoid them. ·       Why understanding incentives, storytelling, and systems is key to scaling innovation. ·       How AI, data ownership, and new consumer health models are reshaping the future of biotech. Tune in to discover how KdT Ventures is rethinking biotech investment—and what it takes to turn scientific insight into lasting impact. Links: Connect with Cain McClary, MD, and check out KdT Ventures. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine.  Learn more about PathAI.  Check out our fireside chat with Walter Isaacson.  Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast.   Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.

  4. Jul 29

    Episode 147: The Biotech Networking Playbook Part 3 – How to Turn New Connections into Lasting Relationships

    Have you ever left a conference with a stack of business cards… only to realize weeks later that you never followed up with the people you were most excited to meet? In the final installment of their three-part networking series, Elaine Hamm, PhD, is joined once again by special guest host James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, CEO of Connect, to discuss what many professionals overlook: everything that happens after the event. From thoughtful follow-up emails and LinkedIn outreach to handwritten notes, CRM systems, and long-term relationship building, they share practical strategies for transforming brief conversations into meaningful professional connections that can create opportunities years down the road. In this episode, you'll learn: How to follow up after conferences in a way that feels authentic, memorable, and relationship-focused. Practical strategies for organizing and maintaining your professional network using notes, CRM tools, and consistent touchpoints. How genuine curiosity and generosity can lead to unexpected opportunities years later. Whether you're returning home from your first conference or your fiftieth, this episode will help you make sure your best conversations don't end when the event does. Links: Connect with James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, and learn about Connect and IDEA Week, as well as his new podcast The Connect Current. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Check out Elaine’s book recommendations: The Fine Art of Small Talk, The Speed of Trust, How to Talk to Anyone, and The Vault Guide to Schmoozing. Connect with Daniela Gama and Bruce Taillon, PhD. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast.   Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.

  5. Jul 22

    Episode 146: The Biotech Networking Playbook Part 2 – How to Make Meaningful Connections at Events

    How do you turn a room full of strangers into meaningful professional relationships? In the second installment of their three-part networking series, Elaine Hamm, PhD, is joined once again by special guest host James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, to discuss what happens after you've done the preparation and finally walk into the room. From making authentic introductions and asking better questions to reading body language and ending conversations gracefully, they share practical strategies for building genuine connections at conferences, partnering events, and networking receptions. In this episode, you'll discover: Why the best networkers focus on listening, curiosity, and making others feel comfortable - not delivering the perfect pitch. Practical techniques for starting conversations, introducing others, navigating networking events, and exiting conversations naturally. How to make the most of unexpected networking opportunities, manage your energy throughout long conference days, and capture important follow-up notes before they're forgotten. Whether you're attending BIO International, JPM, or your local life sciences event, this episode offers actionable advice to help you network with confidence and purpose. Links: Connect with James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, and learn about Connect. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Check out Elaine’s book recommendations: The Fine Art of Small Talk, The Speed of Trust, How to Talk to Anyone, and The Vault Guide to Schmoozing. Connect with Rafael Rosengarten, PhD, Kay Genemaras, PhD, and Andrew Latham, PhD. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast.   Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.

  6. Jul 15

    Episode 145: The Biotech Networking Playbook Part 1 – How Preparation Creates Better Connections

    Why can some people effortlessly build professional relationships through networking? The work starts long before they ever walk into the room. In this first installment of a three-part networking series, Elaine Hamm, PhD, is joined by special guest host James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, to explore why preparation is the most overlooked part of successful networking. From researching attendees to refining your personal pitch, they share practical strategies that help professionals build authentic relationships with greater confidence and purpose. Whether you're attending a major biotech conference, investor meeting, or local networking event, the right preparation can make every conversation more meaningful. In this episode, you'll learn: How researching attendees and defining your networking goals can make every event more productive. Why a well-prepared story, elevator pitch, and leave-behind materials create stronger first impressions. Practical ways to use LinkedIn, AI tools, and thoughtful preparation to reduce anxiety and build genuine professional relationships. Join Elaine and James as they kick off this three-part series on networking by showing why the most successful conversations begin long before you ever step into the room. Links:  Connect with James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, and learn about Connect. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Check out Elaine’s book recommendations: The Fine Art of Small Talk, The Speed of Trust, How to Talk to Anyone, and The Vault Guide to Schmoozing. Learn more about The Alliance for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare. Check out our previous episode on Networking for Introverts. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast.   Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.

  7. Jul 8

    Episode 144: Night Science – Exploring Curiosity and Creativity in Research and Biotech (RE-RELEASE)

    Where do scientific breakthroughs really begin, and how much space do we leave for curiosity, intuition, and creative thinking along the way? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, is joined by Auni Williams, PhD, a postdoctoral scholar at Penn State University, for a thoughtful and refreshing conversation about “night science.” Together, they explore the idea that behind every polished grant, publication, or protocol is a messier, more human process driven by curiosity, imagination, and the freedom to explore unconventional ideas. From historical examples of scientific breakthroughs to personal stories from the lab, this episode invites listeners to rethink how discovery really happens. In this episode, you’ll learn: What “night science” is and why embracing early, unpolished ideas is critical for innovation and discovery. How modern research culture can unintentionally suppress creativity – and what institutions and leaders can do to protect exploratory thinking. Why communicating science as a human, curiosity-driven process is essential for engaging both scientists and the public. Tune in to learn how making space for curiosity, creativity, and night science can reignite passion for research and lead to the next generation of scientific breakthroughs. Links: Connect with Auni Williams, PhD, and learn more about Penn State University. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Learn more about François Jacob, Barry Marshall, August Kekulé, Operation Everest, American Heart Association Funding, and Cormac McCarthy's essay. Listen to our previous episode with Walter Isaacson. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast.   Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.

  8. Jul 1

    Episode 143: Why Animal Health Is the Next Frontier for Biotech Innovation

    What can the world of animal health teach us about the future of biotech innovation, vaccine development, and global healthcare? In this episode, Elaine Hamm, PhD, sits down with Patrik Erlmann, PhD, Global Head of Biological Development in Animal Health at Boehringer Ingelheim, to explore the role of drug development in animal health. Drawing from his experience in startups, human pharmaceuticals, and now animal health, Patrik shares how biologics are transforming veterinary medicine, why developing therapies for animals requires a different mindset, and where opportunities exist for researchers, startups, and academic innovators. In this episode, you'll discover: How animal health development differs from human pharmaceuticals and where the two industries overlap. Why vaccines and biologics are becoming increasingly important for improving animal health while combating antimicrobial resistance. What startups, universities, and technology transfer offices should know when developing innovations for the animal health market. Tune in to discover why animal health is becoming one of biotech's most exciting areas of innovation, and how breakthroughs in veterinary medicine can create benefits that extend far beyond the farm and the clinic. Links: Connect with Patrik Erlmann, PhD, and learn about Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast.   Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.

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Are you struggling to find investors, funding, collaborators, and strategic connections in the ever-changing world of biotech? This show empowers biotech leaders with the tools, assets, and expertise to improve healthcare outcomes. Listen to “Bio from the Bayou” to learn how to: - Expand your network - Advance your product line - Make your company thrive With over two decades of experience in biotech and business development each, hosts James Zanewicz and Elaine Hamm (from Tulane University School of Medicine) talk with  their friends from the Gulf South and beyond to offer advice on networking, communication, and innovation, as well as unprecedented access to interviews with key opinion leaders in biotech. Every Wednesday, tune in to hear 15–20-minute episodes centered around solving biotech’s greatest challenges. If you’re ready to take the necessary steps towards success, start with fan-favorite Episode 58: Top Ways to Build Your Network as an Introvert in Biotech.

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