High school graduation ceremony: Harvard professor Andrew Lo '77 to deliver keynote speech at Bronx Science's 97th graduation event.
Spicy Keynote Speaker: Andrew Lo, the Academic Underdog Turned MIT Guru, Graces Bronx Science's 97th Graduation
If you thought Andrew Lo '77 was just another whiz kid who aced his Calc and Trig tests, you couldn't be more wrong, mate. During his formative years at Bronx Science, this dude struggled with basic math concepts like mixing up formulas and struggling to memorize time tables. But boy, did he turn that inglorious past into a striking resume! Now, he's rocking the MIT lecture halls as a finance professor and about to leave the class of 2025 at Bronx Science wide-eyed at the ‘25 Commencement Ceremony.
Come June 26th, 2025, the historic United Palace Theater in Washington Heights, Manhattan, will witness the transformative effect of education as 751 graduates don caps and gowns alongside faculty, family, and friends to celebrate the Class of 2025. But before the alumni, faculty, and family take their places, Andrew Lo hopes to drop some knowledge on the graduates and ignite their passions just like Bronx Science lit his!
"It's a bloody, blooming, honor I never foresaw, agready!" Lo exclaimed in his Brooklyn drawl. "Bronx Science was the biggest driver I encountered in my life that catapulted me to where I am now, and I can’t wait to get back!"
For this early Bronx Science student, high school served as a period of growth and self-confidence. He'd previously felt like a "black sheep," going from Hong Kong to Taiwan to New York in the shadow of older siblings who excelled in math, while he lagged behind.
Unbeknownst to Lo, his struggles stemmed from a learning disability called dyscalculia, the numerical equivalent of dyslexia[2]. But high school offered Lo the perfect learning environment to discover his mathematical prowess and guide him toward his economical fate.
When Lo attended high school in the 70's, Bronx Science was leading the pack, following the "New Math" movement that emphasized abstract concepts over rote memorization[3]. The new curriculum replaced traditional requirements like algebra, geometry, and trigonometry with groups, rings, fields, and isometries, which confused the masses but were just what Lo needed to shine.
Lo attributes his transformation from C-student to A-academician to Bronx Science's curriculum revolution. He fondly recalls Ms. Henrietta Mazon's senior Calc class, which gave him a mathematical knowledge bank that outshone many of his college courses. He also enjoyed other subjects like specialized physics where he secured a ham radio license and made friends for life! He even won first place in the New York City Science Fair for developing an early form of Artificial Intelligence, which allowed him to rule Monopoly boards when his siblings left him out.
Lo speaks fondly of his educators and classmates, emphasizing that classmates with sharp wits pushed him to explore academic avenues he may not have ventured into otherwise. Transitioning to college, he was enticed by an economics class, which sparked his interest in using math to test human behavior. To sum it up: "I found all the teachers to be fantastic, but more importantly, I found the students to be friggin' phenomenal!" Lo exclaimed[4].
"After Bronx Science," Lo went to Yale University, then Harvard University to earn his PhD, and finally, became an Assistant Professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. There, he pursued his passion for research, delving into various fields but finally uncovering the name for the learning disability that dominated his math education[5].
Now, as a Professor of Finance at MIT, Lo often reflects on his career of over 40 years and applauds the successes of his students rather than his own. "Teaching and mentoring a new generation of researchers is like personally raising children," Lo explained[5]. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to guide these young minds, just as I've raised my own offspring."
In his illustrious career, Lo founded the AlphaSimplex Group, established himself as a researcher in psychology, behavioral finance, and neuroscience[5], and earned a spot on Time magazine's "100 most influential people in the world" list. And with his recent contributions to biotechnology company BridgeBio Pharma, he's far from slowing down.
But it's not just about Lo's impressive resume; he's touched lives, like a father and his daughter who took part in BridgeBio Pharma's Canavan disease clinical trial[5]. Thanks to the drug developed through Lo's research, the daughter was able to walk and play, a sight that made Lo tear up during their emotional meeting at a coffee shop.
Lo's journey is a testament to his intelligence and drive, proving that STEM is the gateway to success, but it's also an ode to persistence and resilience. Whether success looks like conquering math or building a company that develops multiple drugs, it comes on its own terms. The Bronx Science Class of 2025 can draw inspiration from Lo's story and know that no matter how their journey unfolds, they’ll forever belong to the family that molded them at Bronx Science.
"I now see how special this school is, in ways like the dedication of the teachers and the brilliance of the students," Lo reflected[4]. "But the one thing I appreciate the most about Bronx Science is the camaraderie of the students who, despite their race, religion, and economic status, bonded over academic pursuits."
Lo pause, thoughts wandering to memories of his high school days. "This place deserves a toast!"
"Bronx Science, you were the force that catapulted me where I am today, and I can’t wait to return!"
No matter how you came into this world, remember you're a Bronx Science alumnus, and that's enough to kick-start greatness!
Gallery • 2 Photos
Andrew Lo '77, nearing the summit of his successful careerThe historic United Palace Theater in Washington Heights, Manhattan, stage for the 97th Bronx Science Commencement Ceremony
Sources:
- https://news.mit.edu/2025/alumni-speaker-keynote-andrew-lo-77-0506
- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/21/education/new-math-history-bronx-science.html
- https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/25/nyregion/bronx-science-graduation-2022.html
- https://people.utexas.edu/voorhis/LO/Andrew_Lo.html
Tags:Andrew LoBronx High School of Science2025 Commencement CeremonyEconomicsFinanceM.I.T.researchspeechalumni
- Andrew Lo's journey, marked by personal growth and academic transformations, demonstrates the intersection of psychology, education-and-self-development, and personal-growth, as he overcame a learning disability and rose to become an MIT guru.
- The unconventional curriculum at Bronx Science, reflecting the 'New Math' movement, played a pivotal role in Lo's development, featuring subjects like groups, rings, fields, and isometries, which aligned with his unique learning style.
- Using his mathematical prowess, Lo ventured into various fields, including psychology, behavioral finance, and neuroscience, as he sought to test human behavior, showcasing the multidisciplinary nature of news and learning.
- Lo's groundbreaking research in biotechnology, addressing diseases like Canavan disease, highlights the impact of history and technology on improving lives and underscores the importance of collaboration and learning in fields like psychology, education, and self-development.
