Stanford Parents' Club Distinguished Speaker Series 2026-27

Join us for the November session of the Distinguished Speaker Series featuring Risa Wechsler, Director of Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, Professor of Physics and of Particle Physics and Astrophysics, and Senior Fellow at Stanford HAI, alongside Vanessa Parli, Managing Director of Programs and External Engagement at Stanford HAI. Together, they will offer fascinating insights into the frontiers of scientific discovery and technology, exploring how cosmic exploration and artificial intelligence are driving innovation, tackling complex global challenges, and expanding the horizons of interdisciplinary research at Stanford.

Please see the November Newsletter for the Zoom link.

We are honored to open this special session of the Stanford Parents’ Club Distinguished Speaker Series with a conversation featuring Jonathan Levin, 13th President of Stanford University and Bing Presidential Professor. Following our presidential session, we celebrate Heart Health Month with a panel of leading Stanford Health cardiologists—Dr. Jason V. Tso, Dr. Rupan Bose, and Dr. Mehak Dhande—exploring lifelong cardiovascular wellness and cutting-edge preventative care.

Schedule & What We'll Cover:

• 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM | A Conversation with President Jonathan Levin: An engaging conversation with Stanford's 13th President, offering parents an inside look at campus priorities and university life.

• 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Heart Health Panel:

  • Youth Sports Cardiology: Understanding heart health and safety for young athletes with Dr. Jason V. Tso (SHC Faculty & Sports Cardiology Medical Director).

  • Preventative Care: Practical steps you can take today for a healthier tomorrow with Dr. Rupan Bose (Medical Director for Inpatient Cardiology Services).

  • Heart Rhythm & Wearables / Women's Health: Managing palpitations, understanding heart rhythm, and using health technology across every stage of life with Dr. Mehak Dhande (Cardiac Electrophysiologist).

Gain valuable insights directly from Stanford University leadership alongside science-backed strategies from the forefront of Stanford Medicine to support your family's lifelong health and well-being.

Please see the February Newsletter for the Zoom link.

Join the Stanford Parents’ Club Distinguished Speaker Series for an engaging session with Pulitzer Prize winner and National Book Award recipient Adam Johnson, Phil and Penny Knight Professor of Creative Writing.

As a prominent voice in contemporary literature, Professor Johnson’s teaching pushes the boundaries of creative writing and explores how deep research brings complex stories to life. In this presentation, he will delve into his literary journey, the "coiled power" of short fiction, and the way narratives connect us across fractured histories.

Don't miss this fascinating look into the world of creative writing from the forefront of Stanford’s renowned humanities faculty!

Please see the March Newsletter for the Zoom link.

Join the Stanford Parents’ Club Distinguished Speaker Series for an inspiring presentation titled "What Do We (Really) Want from AI?" featuring Ge Wang, Associate Professor of Music at the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA) and Senior Fellow at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI).

Teaching at the intersection of engineering, art, and the humanities, Professor Wang explores the artful design of tools, expressive VR, and human-centered AI systems. A Guggenheim Fellow and author of Artful Design: Technology in Search of the Sublime, he will share his perspective on how we shape technology—and how technology shapes us.

Don't miss this thought-provoking session exploring the future of artificial intelligence, creativity, and human connection!

Please see the April Newsletter for the Zoom link.