Previous Keynote Speakers

The Graduate School is proud to continue our tradition of inviting a distinguished speaker each year to deliver the keynote speech. Honored guests have included Nobel Laureates and other highly esteemed researchers whose contributions have revolutionized science and medicine. Attendees are afforded the opportunity to learn from pioneers in their field as they navigate the ever-changing landscape of health and disease. 

photo of Nanette K. Wenger, MD

  • 2024
Professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiology at Emory University School of Medicine|Founding Consultant, Emory Women's Heart Center|Gold Heart Award, Highest Award of the American Heart Association|Georgia Woman of the Year 2010|Lifetime Achievement Award American College of Cardiology|Lifetime Achievement Award World Heart Federation
Keynote Address: "Cardiovascular Disease in Women: Epidemiology, Awareness, Access, and Delivery of Equitable Health Care
photo of Eric Olson, PhD

  • 2023
Annie and Willie Nelson Professor of Stem Cell Research|Pogue Distinguished Chair in Research on Cardiac Birth Defects |Robert A. Welch Distinguished Chair in Science at Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Keynote Address: "CRISPR Correction of Muscle and Heart Disease"
photo of Max Dale Cooper, MD

  • 2022

Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar|Professor of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine|Winner of the 2019 Lasker Award
Keynote Address: 

photo of Bruce Beutler, MD

  • 2021

Regental Professor|Director, Center for the Genetics of Host Defense |Raymond & Ellen Willie Distinguished Chair in Cancer Research,  University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
Keynote Address: 鈥淐reating New Diseases and Suppressing Old Ones with Random Germline Mutagenesis"

photo of Vishva M. Dixit, MD

  • 2019
Vice President of Early Discovery Research, Genentech
Keynote Address: 鈥淲hy so many ways to die? The Non-canonical Inflammasome Pathway鈥�
photo of Bruce D. Hammock, PhD

  • 2018
Distinguished Professor Department of Entomology & UCD Comprehensive Cancer Center |Director, NIEHS-UCD Superfund Research Program, University of California 鈥� Davis
Keynote Address: 鈥淒evelopment of a Non Addictive Analgesic: The Painful Path from Basic Science to Treating Diabetic Pain鈥�
photo of J. Merchant, MD/PhD

  • 2017
Professor, Departments of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology & Integrative and Molecular Physiology, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | Member: Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences
Keynote Address:  "Helicobacter, Hedgehog and Gastric Cancer"
photo of Dora Angelaki, PhD

  • 2016
Professor & Chair of Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine | Member: American Academy of Arts and Sciences and National Academy of Sciences
Keynote Address: "Merging of Our Senses: A Brain Challenge for Perceptual Reality鈥�
photo of Leroy Hood, PhD

  • 2015
President, The Institute of Systems and Biology 
Keynote Address: "System Medicine and Proactive P4 Medicine: Catalyzing a Revolution in Healthcare鈥�
photo of Shu Chien, MD/PhD

  • 2013
Professor of Bioengineering & Medicine | Director of Institute of Engineering in Medicine Jacobs School of Engineering, University of California, San Diego
Keynote Address: "Career Development: A Case History and General Thoughts鈥�
photo of Carl Wu, PhD

  • 2012
Senior Fellow, HHMI Janelia Farm Research Campus  | NIH Distinguished Investigator, Emeritus, Laboratory of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute
Keynote Address: "Chromatin Remodeling and the Regulation of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes鈥�

Featured Event

Health Sciences Graduate School Fair & Expo

Want to learn more about our innovative health sciences graduate programs? Join us on October 24th for the inaugural Health Sciences Graduate School Fair & Expo, featuring a keynote address from Dr. David Brooks, a distinguished physiologist and pharmaceutical executive. The event will also showcase student research presentations and expert-led sessions designed to inspire and inform. Your next chapter starts here!

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