The Research!America 2025 Advocacy Awards, held on March 12 at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C., was high-energy, engaging, and inspiring.

The event brought together leaders and scientific minds from across the research and development ecosystem. Our honorees participated in two engaging panel discussions. The first focused on trust in science and the second featured a conversation on how advocacy will impact the future of medical and health research.

Thank you to everyone who attended and to our many sponsors and benefactors who made the evening possible.

• View a photo slideshow from the program and reception.

2025 Honorees

Our 2025 Advocacy Awards honorees include outstanding advocates for medical and health research and individuals, entities, or partnerships demonstrating commitment to research through discovery, innovation, public communications, and leadership.

Edwin C. Whitehead Award for Medical Research Advocacy

The Honorable Zoe Lofgren
U.S. Representative (D-CA-18)
BIO

The Honorable Frank Lucas
U.S. Representative (R-OK-3)
BIO

John Edward Porter Legacy Award,
generously supported by Ann Lurie

Carolyn Clancy, MD
Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Discovery, Education and Affiliate Networks, Veterans Health Administration
BIO

Builders of Science Award

Gary H. Gibbons, MD
Director, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
BIO

Herbert Pardes Family Award for National Leadership in Advocacy for Research

Barbara E. Bierer, MD
Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Faculty Director of the Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Center of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard
BIO

Gordon and Llura Gund Leadership Award

Gary K. Michelson, MD
Founder, President, and Co-chair,
Michelson Philanthropies & Michelson Medical Research Foundation
BIO