Behind nearly every breakthrough in medicine, technology, national security, and economic growth lies a powerful, but often overlooked, engine: academic research. This webinar sheds light on that story, featuring Nobel Laureates Randy Schekman and Charles Rice in conversation with a panel of distinguished experts. Due to scheduling conflicts, Nobel Laureates David Julius and Torsten Wiesel, along with leading scholars including Stephen Palumbi (Stanford), David Patterson (UC Berkeley), and others, will share their insights through recorded video messages. Together, these voices will underscore the vital role of federally funded university research in maintaining America’s global leadership in science and innovation. The discussion will explore the long-standing partnership between the federal government and U.S. research universities, a collaboration that drives discovery, serves the public good, and shapes the nation’s future, often without due recognition. We will take live questions from our Designated Questioners, including Los Angeles Times education reporter Jaweed Kaleem and GSM Professor Elizabeth G. Pontikes, as well as from the Zoom and YouTube chat audiences. Join us as we bring this vital and too often untold story out of the shadows and into public view.