The series highlights the groundbreaking work and unique perspectives of women leaders in the biomedical sciences

On February 11, 2026, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute hosted the second event in the Women in Science Lecture Series. The occasion opened with a presentation by Cheryl A.M. Anderson, PhD, MPH, MS, professor and dean of the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at the University of California San Diego and director of the UCSD Center of Excellence in Health Promotion and Equity.

Anderson introduced attendees to some of the pivotal findings of her mentors studying the effects of nutrition on public health, including the landmark dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) clinical trial. Because of the challenges in achieving significant heart disease prevention benefits outside of the controlled environments used in studies such as the DASH trial, Anderson was determined to explore other approaches.

“I put together this concept that instead of asking the individual to figure it all out from our dietary recommendations, maybe we could figure out how to have a healthy, sustainable food system,” said Anderson.

“I see a sustainable food system as one that maintains our ability to get lots and lots of nutrition and where you meet the current population’s needs without compromising what future generations might also need.”

In addition to discussing her scientific journey, Anderson provided insight into her experience serving with other experts to provide input into two different iterations of the federal government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Agriculture set the standards for food in federally funded programs such as public school and day care lunches as well as the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) special supplemental nutrition program. Anderson shared her experience working collaboratively to provide science-based counsel in an ecosystem that also contains political considerations such as the interests of industries involved in agriculture and food production.

Lukas Chavez, PhD, MS, associate professor in the Cancer Genome and Epigenetics Program at Sanford Burnham Prebys and scientific director of the Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Molecular Tumor Board at Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine, then moderated a fireside chat and audience question-and-answer session with Anderson and Angela Liou, MD, physician-scientist and pediatric oncologist with a dual appointment at Rady Children’s Health and the Cancer Genome and Epigenetics Program at Sanford Burnham Prebys. Topics included: how new scientific insights are translated to reduce population-level health risks or guide care for children facing serious illnesses; how new technologies change the way you conduct research and deliver patient care; what can be done to ensure that scientific discoveries can be equitably accessed and lead to better outcomes for all; and what do future clinicians and scientists need in terms of skills, mindset and institutional support to succeed as public health researchers and physician-scientists.

The Women in Science Lecture Series, featuring quarterly events that are free and open to the public, is part of broader efforts at Sanford Burnham Prebys to foster an environment that nurtures the success of individuals from all backgrounds. The series is hosted by the Office of Workforce Engagement & Belonging and highlights the groundbreaking work and unique perspectives of women leaders in the biomedical sciences, while fostering mentorship and collaboration across the Torrey Pines Mesa.

Registration is open for the next event in the series on May 13, 2026.