It is with great pride and excitement that we announce the Guest of Honor of the 2025 Polish American Medical Society Physicians’ Charitable Ball — Dr. Krzysztof Palczewski, one of the world’s foremost vision scientists.

Dr. Palczewski is a distinguished Vision Scientist and Biochemist, currently the Donald Bren Professor and Irving H. Leopold Chair at University of California Irvine. His remarkable career spans over 40 years of advancing vision science, with achievements that have transformed medicine and improved countless lives.

Among his many groundbreaking accomplishments, Dr. Palczewski solved the first rhodopsin crystal structures, providing a fundamental understanding of vision at the molecular level. He has also pioneered groundbreaking therapies that restore sight to individuals with inherited blindness. His outstanding contributions have been recognized by election to both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine, cementing his place among the leading figures in biomedical research.

You will have a special opportunity to meet Dr. Palczewski at the Polish American Physicians’ Charitable Ball on September 26th and to hear him share his insights with the next generation at the Polish American Youth Academic Summit on September 27th, 2025.

We are truly honored to welcome Dr. Palczewski, whose discoveries continue to shape the future of vision research and inspire generations of scientists and physicians.