The Fight to Save Science, with Dr. Peter Hotez

At a moment when science is under pressure from so many different directions and bad actors, what does real leadership in medicine look like? In this episode of the Best Leaders Podcast from U.S. News & World Report, Eric Gertler, Executive Chairman and CEO of U.S. News, and Arun Gupta, CEO of the NobleReach Foundation, sit down with Dr. Peter J. Hotez, Co-Director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Children's Hospital and Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. In his most recent book, "Science Under Siege," co-written with Michael Mann, Dr. Hotez takes on the forces that threaten science and our world. As a result of his work and advocacy, half a billion people across the world have received treatment for diseases, many of which are debilitating and deadly but don't get as much attention or funding. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he became a fixture on TV and on social media, sharing clear-eyed perspectives about his work and the importance of vaccines. In 2022, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on a COVID-19 vaccine. Together, they discuss the rise of anti-science movements, how to lead during a public health crisis, the future of vaccine development, and what young people need to know about building a career in science today. Learn more: U.S. News Best Leaders: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-leaders Peter Hotez's U.S. News Best Leaders profile: https://www.usnews.com/news/leaders/articles/best-leaders-2025-peter-jay-hotez Peter Hotez's book, "Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces that Threaten Our World": https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/michael-e-mann/science-under-siege/9781541705517/ More from U.S. News & World Report: https://www.usnews.com/