Fearless: Critical Conversations on the Future of American Science

For decades, the United States has been the global leader in medical innovation, developing cures and treatments that have saved millions of lives. But is that leadership guaranteed for the future?

Join HMRI for a deliberately provocative look at the future of American medical research. We will ask the critical question: In 2050, does the U.S. still lead the world in curing disease? Or are our children traveling abroad for lifesaving treatments we failed to develop?

This President's Event Series panel discussion will convene leading voices from science, policy, and industry to explore the structural threats and opportunities facing U.S. medical innovation.

When: Thursday, November 6th, 2025 from 6 to 7 PM
Where: HMRI Engemann Family Auditorium | 686 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105 (Zoom option available)
Who Should Attend: Scientists, researchers, and scientific enthusiasts

Register

Meet the Panelists

Dr. Shlomo Melmed, MBChB

Dr. Melmed serves as dean of the Medical Faculty at Cedars Sinai Medical Center and distinguished professor of Medicine. Melmed has been a faculty leader at Cedars‑Sinai for 45 years and has been the health system’s chief academic officer since 1998. At Cedars-Sinai, he has shepherded the highest nationally ranked systemwide programs with a sustained impact on the practice of medicine by his clinical leadership and translational endocrinology discoveries. An international authority on pituitary medicine, he has pioneered the discovery and application of novel treatments for endocrine tumors and has authored more than 400 peer-reviewed articles in prestigious journals.

Dr. Scott A. Kaiser, MD

Dr. Kaiser is a family physician, geriatrician, and public-health advocate whose work bridges clinical medicine, community health, and social innovation. As CEO and co-founder of Determined Health, he is advancing models of care that treat meaningful human connection as a determinant of well-being. He also serves on the Board of Directors of BrightFocus Foundation, one of the nation’s leading private funders of Alzheimer’s and vision-related research.

In his role as Director of Geriatric Cognitive Health at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute and adjunct faculty member at USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Dr. Kaiser explores how scientific discovery can inform healthier, more connected aging. His perspective—linking neuroscience, social connection, and philanthropy—will be a critical addition to the expertise of Dr. Melmed and Dr. Bradsher as they examine the future of American science.

Dr. Angelika Niemz, PhD

A chemist, researcher, and academic leader, Dr. Niemz currently serves as Dean of the Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences at Keck Graduate Institute (KGI), where she has helped shape the next generation of scientists and innovators for more than 20 years.

At KGI, Dr. Niemz has led pioneering programs in medical diagnostics, biomarker discovery, and biotechnology education—bridging chemistry, engineering, and translational research. Her work has been supported by the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Defense, and she has been deeply committed to expanding access to research experiences for students at all levels. She also organized KGI’s NSF-funded summer undergraduate research program and helped develop K–12 outreach initiatives that connect young learners with real-world science.

A native of Germany, Dr. Niemz earned her PhD in chemistry from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and conducted postdoctoral research in chemical engineering at the California Institute of Technology before joining KGI in 2002. Over two decades, she has held numerous leadership roles—including Director of Research, Department Chair of Business and Bioengineering, and Associate Dean of Faculty—before her appointment as Dean in 2025.

Dr. Niemz’s perspective—as both a scientist and an educator advancing interdisciplinary innovation—will bring a valuable dimension to the conversation with Dr. Melmed, Dr. Kaiser, and Dr. Bradsher as they explore the future of American science. Learn more about Dr. Niemz

Moderated by Dr. Julia Bradsher, PhD, MBA

As President & CEO of Huntington Medical Research Institutes, Julia Bradsher leads groundbreaking work in neurosciences, cardiovascular health, and aging. With more than 25 years of executive leadership - including 16 years as a CEO - she’s guided organizations through transformation, growth, and complex strategic challenges.