2025 Keynote Speakers

Michelle A. Williams, ScD

Dr. Michelle A. Williams stands as one of the most influential epidemiologists of her generation, combining rigorous scientific research with transformative academic leadership to advance global public health. Currently serving as Professor of Epidemiology and Population Health at Stanford University's School of Medicine, she brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective shaped by her background in biology, engineering, and epidemiology.

Dr. Williams' distinguished career includes her tenure as Dean of the Faculty at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, where she provided strategic leadership for one of the leading schools of public health. Prior to this role, she served as Professor and Chair of the Department of Epidemiology at Harvard Chan School and led the Population Health and Health Disparities Research Programs at Harvard's Clinical and Translational Sciences Center. Her earlier academic foundation was established during her distinguished career at the University of Washington School of Public Health.

Her research portfolio, encompassing more than 560 scientific publications, focuses on reproductive, perinatal, pediatric, and molecular epidemiology with particular emphasis on addressing health disparities. This work has positioned her as a leading voice in understanding how social determinants and biological factors intersect to influence population health outcomes.

Dr. Williams' contributions to science and education have earned her election to the National Academy of Medicine in 2016, marking her as one of the most respected voices in her field. Her commitment to mentoring the next generation of public health leaders has been recognized through numerous prestigious awards, including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring from the White House in 2012, Harvard Chan School's Outstanding Mentor Award in 2015, and the University of Washington's Brotman Award for excellence in teaching in 2007. The American Public Health Association honored her educational impact with the Abraham Lilienfeld Award for education in epidemiology in 2007.

Her influence extends beyond academic circles, as evidenced by her recognition with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2020 and her inclusion among PR Week's top 50 health influencers that same year. These honors reflect her ability to translate complex epidemiological research into actionable insights that inform public policy and practice.

Dr. Williams maintains active membership in several prestigious professional organizations, including the National Academy of Medicine, the Society for Epidemiologic Research, and the American Epidemiological Society. Her academic credentials include an undergraduate degree in biology and genetics from Princeton University, a master's degree in civil engineering from Tufts University, and both master's and doctoral degrees in epidemiology from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Kari Nadeau, MD, PhD

Kari Nadeau, MD, PhD, is the Chair of the Department of Environmental Health at Harvard School of Public Health. She practices Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology in children and adults. She has published over 400+ papers, many in the field of air pollution exposures, allergies and asthma. For more than 30 years, she has devoted herself to understanding how environmental and epigenetic factors affect the risk of developing immune dysfunction. Her laboratory has been studying exposomics and solutions-facing research with policy-oriented outcomes.  She works with the WHO and UN on several projects in global health. Dr. Nadeau earned her MD/PhD from Harvard Medical School in 1995, completing her doctoral work in biochemistry and immunology, followed by a pediatric residency, and fellowship in Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Program, joined the Stanford faculty where she was the Naddisy Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics until 2022, and then joined Harvard where she is now the John Rock Professor. 

Frederick P. Rivara MD, MPH

Frederick P. Rivara MD, MPH is the holder of the Seattle Children’s Guild Association Endowed Chair in Pediatric Research, Vice chair and Professor of Pediatrics and Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Washington. He is a 1974 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.  Dr. Rivara was founding editor-in-chief of JAMA Network Open 2018-2024 following 17 years as Editor in Chief of JAMA Pediatrics. He served as founding director of the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center in Seattle and has devoted his career to studying injury and injury prevention. He has contributed to landmark studies and global initiatives aimed at reducing injury-related deaths, especially among children and adolescents. Dr. Rivara has received numerous honors including the Charles C. Shepard Science Award from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Public Health Association Injury Control and Emergency Health Services Section Distinguished Career Award, the American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Injury and Poison Prevention, Physician Achievement Award, the UW School of Public Health Distinguished Alumni Award, delivered the William T Fitts, Jr Lecture in Trauma in 2009. Rivara was elected to the Institute of Medicine (now National Academy of Medicine) in 2005.  He was awarded the Joseph St. Geme, Jr Leadership award from the Federation of Pediatric Organizations in 2021 and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in 2025. During his long career, Dr Rivara has made mentoring of trainees and junior faculty a core part of his activities. He has mentored individuals from a wide variety of disciplines including pediatrics, surgery, social work, nursing, psychiatry, psychology, rehab medicine and other disciplines and directs a fellowship program on pediatric injury research. 

Dr. Alonzo L. Plough

Alonzo Plough joined the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as chief science officer and vice president, Research-Evaluation-Learning in January 2014. He is responsible for aligning all of the Foundation’s work with the best evidence from research and practice and incorporating program evaluations into organizational learning. He also oversees the two grantmaking portfolios focused on innovation and emerging issues: Ideas for an Equitable Future and Global Ideas for U.S. solutions.

Plough has been a national leader in public health practice for over 25 years. He came to the Foundation from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, where he served as director of emergency preparedness and response from 2009–2013. In that role, he was responsible for the leadership and management of activities protecting the 10 million residents of Los Angeles County from natural disasters and threats related to disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies. He coordinated activities in emergency operations, infectious disease control, risk communication, planning, and community engagement.

Prior to this position, Plough served as vice president of strategy, planning and evaluation for The California Endowment from 2005–2009. Before this, he served 10 years as director and health officer for the Seattle and King County Department of Public Health and previously served as director of public health in Boston for eight years.

Plough earned his PhD and MA at Cornell University, and his MPH at Yale University School of Medicine’s Department of Epidemiology and Public Health. He has held academic appointments at Harvard University School of Public Health, Tufts University Department of Community Medicine, and Boston University School of Management. He is currently clinical professor of health services at the University of Washington School of Public Health in Seattle. He has been the recipient of numerous awards for public service and leadership and is the author of an extensive body of scholarly articles, books, and book chapters.

Plough lives in Princeton and Los Angeles and is married with two adult sons and two granddaughters. He is a jazz guitarist and vocalist. 

Tom Frieden, MD, MPH

Bio coming soon!