Andrew Lo '77 will deliver the main speech at Bronx Science's 97th graduation ceremony.
Andrew Lo, a distinguished alumnus of Bronx Science Class of 1977, returned to his alma mater on June 26th, 2025, to deliver the keynote speech at the school's 97th Commencement Ceremony, held at the historic United Palace Theater in Washington Heights, Manhattan. The ceremony marked the culmination of the academic journeys of 751 graduating seniors, accompanied by faculty, family, and friends.
Lo, an esteemed economist and professor of finance at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, shared his insights and experiences with the Class of 2025, emphasising the importance of remaining grounded in the Bronx Science community. Regardless of what "success" means for each graduate, Lo highlighted the invaluable and formative community of Bronx Science as crucial in nurturing his intellectual curiosity, boosting his confidence in mathematics, and propelling his career.
Lo's high school education took place during the "New Math" movement, which emphasised abstract concepts over memorisation. This innovative approach to learning instilled in him a passion for using mathematics to predict human behaviour, leading him to pursue a degree in economics. His time at Bronx Science provided the perfect learning environment for him to discover his strengths in mathematics and steer him towards his current career.
Lo's experiences at Bronx Science extended beyond the classroom. One of his most memorable encounters was with a father and his young daughter, who was a participant in the clinical trial for the Canavan disease drug. The daughter, who was expected to be paralyzed, was able to walk and play due to the drug, a significant moment that underscored the potential impact of scientific research.
Lo's encounter with the clinical trial inspired him and a former student, Neil Kumar, to expand on the research. Together, they ran around thirty-five additional simulations, leading to the development of BridgeBio Pharma, a biotechnology company that now has three approved drugs and several others in the pipeline. Lo became a co-founder of the company, demonstrating the practical applications of the knowledge he gained at Bronx Science.
Lo's adaptive markets theory has gained international attention and earned him a spot on Time magazine's "100 most influential people in the world" list. In 2015, he published a paper suggesting it would be less financially risky to establish a business that developed multiple drugs at the same time. This groundbreaking idea has since been adopted by many pharmaceutical companies.
Before the graduates walked across the stage, Lo hoped to inspire them with a message about his own journey through high school and beyond. He recalled his senior year Calculus class, taught by Ms. Henrietta Mazon, which taught him more about calculus than some of his college courses would later on. Lo fondly remembers the supportive environment at Bronx Science, which nurtured his intellectual curiosity and boosted his confidence in mathematics, playing a significant role in his success.
Lo felt pressured by the assumption that intelligence and success were synonymous with aptitude in STEM during his high school years. However, he emphasised to the Class of 2025 that success can take many forms and encouraged them to embrace their unique talents and passions. He hopes that the alumni can continue to draw strength and inspiration from this supportive environment as they move forward in life.
Lo's time at Bronx Science left an indelible mark on him, shaping his career and inspiring his groundbreaking research. As he bid farewell to the Class of 2025, he left them with a final piece of advice: to remain grounded, stay curious, and never forget the community that helped them grow.
- In his keynote speech, Lo highlighted the importance of Bronx Science, a community that nurtured his intellectual curiosity and boosted his confidence in mathematics, playing a significant role in his successful career in economics and finance.
- Lo's passionate pursuit of using mathematics to predict human behavior, rooted in his high school education during the "New Math" movement, led him to delve into the field of psychology and later, the development of the adaptive markets theory in education-and-self-development and personal-growth.
- Outside the classroom, Lo was inspired by a clinical trial, which showed the potential impact of scientific research on human lives. This encounter led him to work with a former student, Neil Kumar, in video and news-oriented research, eventually founding BridgeBio Pharma, a biotechnology company that focuses on drug development.
- Reflecting on his time at Bronx Science, Lo encouraged the Class of 2025 to remember the supportive environment they've experienced, which will continue to inspire them in their own personal journeys of learning, photography, video, and continuous personal growth.
