Celebrating our shared American history, the pursuit of scientific and research excellence, our Asian American pioneers, and the transformative power of innovation, the Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), in partnership with the Stanford University Asian American Research Center, hosted the second Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony from July 25–27, 2025, at Stanford University.
With more than 2,000 registrants, this year’s event expanded into a three-day experience featuring over 15 panels and sessions, as well as more than 50 of the nation’s top minds in energy, artificial intelligence, life sciences, and leadership. Scholars, students, and leaders from across the country and around the world gathered to recognize the enduring contributions of Asian American pioneers and to elevate public dialogue around science, technology, and academic leadership.
The symposium was featured in a segment from NBC Bay Area. Gia Vang, anchor of NBC Bay Area News and Emmy Award-winning journalist, co-emceed the Asian American Pioneer & Justice Medal Ceremony with Richard Lui, anchor for NBCU News Group, bestselling author, and filmmaker. Richard Lui and Alex Lo produced the video documentaries for each award recipient, including the one featured in the NBC Bay Area piece.
2025 Pioneer Medal Award Recipients
AASF proudly presented the 2025 Asian American Pioneer Medal to the following pioneers, whose work continues to shape scientific progress that impacts all Americans and humanity:
- Dr. David Ho, Professor of Microbiology & Immunology, Clyde ’56 and Helen Wu Professor of Medicine; Director, Wu Family China Center; and Emeritus Founding Director, Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center at Columbia University, honored for pioneering HIV/AIDS research and treatment
- Dr. Mani Menon, Chief of Strategy and Innovation in the Department of Urology for the Mount Sinai Health System, honored for groundbreaking advances in robotic surgery
- Dr. Shuji Nakamura, CREE Professor of Solid State Lighting and Displays, Materials at the University of California – Santa Barbara, honored for inventing the blue LED
- Dr. Chih-Tang (Tom) Sah, Professor Emeritus of Physics and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, honored for revolutionary work in semiconductor electronics
- Wong Tsoo, honored posthumously for pioneering modern aircraft design as the first aeronautical engineer at Boeing
2025 Inaugural Asian American Justice Medal Award Recipients
AASF was honored to present our first Asian American Justice Medal to the following civil rights leaders and public servants whose courage and lifelong commitment to justice have helped guide our country’s moral compass.
- Aiko Herzig-Yoshinaga, political activist, honored for uncovering critical evidence for the coram nobis cases which led to the Civil Liberties Act of 1988
- Fred Korematsu, civil rights activist, honored for fighting for the rights of Japanese Americans affected by incarceration during World War II
- Dr. Karen Korematsu, Founder and President of the Korematsu Institute, honored for advancing civil liberties and public education
Distinguished Speakers and National Leadership
Participants engaged with university leaders, government officials, and institutional partners dedicated to fostering the next generation of scholars. Panels addressed urgent questions in AI, sustainability, public health, and scientific freedom.
The 2025 Asian American Pioneer Medal Symposium and Ceremony brought together a distinguished roster of scientific, industrial, and policy leaders, highlighting the enduring impact of American innovation. Jensen Huang, Founder and CEO of NVIDIA, made a rare appearance alongside Xuedong Huang, CTO of Zoom, for a conversation on his life that exemplifies the American dream and inspires our audience that this dream is still within their grasp. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet and Google, gave keynote remarks highlighting multiple academic innovations that created a large global economy, citing Google as one of the examples. Nobel Laureate and 12th U.S. Secretary of Energy Dr. Steven Chu opened the symposium with a keynote bridging scientific legacy and policy, later joining Secretary Elaine Chao, the 24th U.S. Secretary of Labor and 18th U.S. Secretary of Transportation, for a widely anticipated fireside conversation on public service and leadership. Fellow Nobel Laureate Dr. Thomas C. Südhof, Director of Stanford’s Center for Molecular Neuroscience in Health and Disease, offered a stirring reflection on medical discovery. Secretary Condoleezza Rice, Director of the Hoover Institution and 66th U.S. Secretary of State, joined Dr. Arun Majumdar, Dean of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, to discuss American competitiveness and the talent pipeline. Dr. Bill Dally, NVIDIA’s Chief Scientist, and Pushmeet Kohli, Google DeepMind’s VP of AI for Science, highlighted the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on research, and Dr. Peidong Yang of UC Berkeley presented a bold vision for nanotechnology and energy futures.
Additional insights were provided by industry and academic luminaries, including Jason Kwon (OpenAI), Zhenan Bao (Stanford), Ashok Elluswamy (Tesla), Ed Chi (Google DeepMind), and Charlene Liao (Immune-Onc). Guiding these discussions were renowned moderators like Dr. Yi Cui and Dr. Dawn Song. Panelists such as Dr. Evelyn Wang (MIT), Dr. Olga Troyanskaya (Princeton), Dr. Haifan Lin (Yale), and Congressman Ted Lieu offered perspectives on research integrity, talent development, and academic freedom.
As one of the most intellectually robust and emotionally resonant gatherings of the year, the 2025 Symposium and Ceremony not only honored the past but lit a bold path forward, celebrating the individuals shaping science today and inspiring those who will lead it tomorrow.
“Our partnership with the Stanford University Asian American Research Center and the Hoover Institution’s Program on US, China, and the World remains a cornerstone of this event. The enthusiasm, intellect, and community shared over these three days were a powerful affirmation of what we can build together,” said Professor Yi Cui, AASF Founding Board Member and Symposium Co-Chair.
“The 2025 Pioneer Medal Ceremony continues our mission of honoring visionary minds whose breakthroughs have improved lives and redefined entire fields,” said Professor Kai Li, AASF Founding Vice President and Symposium Co-Chair. “These stories deserve to be at the center of our national narrative.”
“As Chair of the Education & Award Committee, I’m proud to help honor these extraordinary individuals whose work continues to inspire future generations to come,” said Professor Frank Chang, AASF Education & Award Committee Chair.
“From 1,300 to over 2,000, AASF continues to grow and demonstrates the importance of a united community. This year’s honorees reflect the vast range of contributions made by Asian Americans that impact all of us,” said Professor Yasheng Huang, AASF Founding President. “AASF is proud to uplift their legacies and preserve these stories for generations to come.”
“This weekend reaffirmed that honoring the work of Asian Americans is an important part of our history that will inform how our country can foster and encourage a talent pipeline that helps America remain competitive on a global scale,” said Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Esq., AASF Executive Director. “In creating a more welcoming environment for Asian Americans and all communities, we help to safeguard American prosperity and progress. The momentum from this event will carry forward into the policies, research, and leadership we build next.”
###
Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) is a national nonprofit that promotes belonging, freedom, and equality for all. In response to heightened anti-Asian sentiments and profiling in the U.S., AASF has been a leading national voice fighting for the rights of Asian American and immigrant scientists, researchers, and scholars. AASF membership includes members from the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Science, and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, in addition to past and current university presidents, provosts, vice provosts, deans, associate deans, and past and current department chairs.