Join Dr. Deborah Bronk, President & CEO of Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, as she examines the evolving landscape of U.S. science, its global competitiveness, and the critical role of research institutions such as Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. Framed through the historical arc from World War II to the present, it highlights how sustained federal investment in basic science has fueled unparalleled advances – from space exploration to the technologies behind the iPhone – while warning of the risks posed by declining federal support and increasing global competition. China’s rapid expansion in R&D, coupled with immigration restrictions that hinder the United States’ ability to attract global talent, is reshaping the balance of scientific leadership. Moving forward, robust, bipartisan support for science is essential to safeguard national security, economic prosperity, and global leadership in science and technology.

Dr. Bronk is an internationally recognized oceanographer and expert in marine biogeochemistry. She previously served as Director of the Division of Ocean Sciences at the National Science Foundation, was elected President of the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography and The Oceanography Society, and held an endowed chair in marine science at the College of William & Mary, bringing deep experience in both scientific research and national science programs.