Each year, the Science and Technology in Society forum (STS forum), brings together scientists and global leaders in business, politics, and academia from around the world to Kyoto, Japan to discuss the great promise and potential dangers of science and technology.

The Luce Foundation is delighted to announce that our nominee, Dr. Esther Braselmann, Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of Biochemistry at Georgetown University, was selected for the forum’s Young Leaders Program. She will participate in the Luce-supported conference next month and take part in a special “Dialogue between Young Leaders and Nobel Laureates” session.

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Dr. Esther Braselmann, Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of Biochemistry at Georgetown University

Describing her rationale for wanting to participate in the STS forum, Dr. Braselmann shared, “While we as global citizens must limit movement and interactions to combat the deadly COVID-19 virus, global efforts that bring the brightest minds together for technological advancements are critical, prominently illustrated by the rapid development of vaccines against COVID-19. Unfortunately, inequalities between groups of people, nations, and resources also came into focus. Scientific advancement benefits from diverse perspectives and we simply cannot afford to shut out marginalized groups and the talent they bring. I aim to address these challenges in my role as a researcher and member of a global scientific community.”

This year’s forum, centered on the theme of “The Role of Science and Technology in the Post COVID-19 Era,” will take place virtually on October 2–5, 2021.