Award Winner

The Hunter of Tyrosine Kinases

“The study of tumor viruses and their oncogenes really led to a revolution in our understanding of cancer.”

Published May 7, 2026

By Alan Dove, PhD

On March 2, 2026, The New York Academy of Sciences hosted a symposium honoring Tony Hunter, PhD, the recipient of the 2025 Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research. Bringing together leading scientists, clinicians, and patients, the event celebrated not only Hunter’s seminal 1979 discovery of tyrosine kinases, but also the lifetime of other breakthroughs he made afterward, work that has fundamentally transformed modern cancer treatment.

Created in 2004 and named after an exceptionally gifted scientist who revolutionized modern medicine, the Dr. Paul Janssen Award recognizes passion and creativity in biomedical research. Prof. Hunter is an excellent choice for the honor, having discovered tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins, a modification central to regulating cell division. In the 47 years since that finding, work on the phenomenon by Prof. Hunter and others has revolutionized cancer treatment. Introducing him, John Reed, MD, PhD, Executive Vice President of Innovative Medicine and R&D at Johnson & Johnson, said “Tony is a pioneer who is passionate, collaborative, and forever curious, and that curiosity led to a discovery that became a cornerstone of modern cancer biology.”

After the formal award presentation, Prof. Hunter told the story of his initial 1979 discovery. Having moved from the UK to become an assistant professor at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, Calif, he set about studying the middle T antigen protein of polyomaviruses. Previous work had shown that this protein alone could make cells become cancerous, but nobody knew how it worked. Suspecting that the protein was a kinase, capable of adding phosphate molecules to other proteins, Prof. Hunter used the latest biochemical techniques in 1979 to label and separate middle T antigens from different strains of the virus.

A Strong Affinity for Phosphorous

The wild-type virus showed a strong affinity for phosphorous, while mutant strains incapable of causing cancer transformation did not, “suggesting that this phosphorylation activity could be important for cell transformation,” said Prof. Hunter. He adds that “I knew that one of the questions we would [then] have to answer is which of the 20 natural amino acids is getting phosphorylated?”

Other researchers had found kinases that phosphorylated serine and threonine, but when Prof. Hunter and his colleagues analyzed middle T antigen’s activity, it seemed to be phosphorylating something in between the sizes of those two amino acids, producing a dark spot on the assay that they labeled “X.” “Because of my biochemical training in Cambridge, I knew there was another hydroxyamino acid that might be phosphorylated, namely tyrosine,” said Prof. Hunter. After developing a new assay for phosphorylated tyrosine, Prof. Hunter was able to confirm his hypothesis.

In the years that followed, Prof. Hunter’s lab and others have identified hundreds of tyrosine kinases in viruses and cells, and found that these enzymes are central to the regulation of cell growth and division. Indeed, aberrant tyrosine phosphorylation is a hallmark of many forms of cancer. Because tyrosine kinases are enzymes, they have also been excellent drug targets. Today, almost 90 tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been approved by regulatory agencies as cancer therapies.

Following his presentation, Prof. Hunter sat down for a discussion with Penny Heaton, MD, Global Head of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer at Johnson & Johnson. Opening the discussion, Heaton reflected on the parallels between Dr. Paul and Prof. Hunter: “Dr. Paul was guided by a deep commitment to improving patients’ lives. Dr. Hunter, that same spirit is evident in your work, which continues to profoundly influence your colleagues, the field of oncology, and countless patients who have benefited from your discovery.”

A Focus on Basic Research

The conversation ranged across Prof. Hunter’s long career path. One recurring theme was his longstanding focus on basic research. “I didn’t have a burning ambition to cure cancer, I was a protein biochemist, and it turned out that my training was useful in studying these transforming proteins,” said Prof. Hunter.

He also emphasized that without curiosity-driven research like his 1979 experiments, the next generation of lifesaving therapies won’t exist. “In the current climate, getting funding to work on a chicken virus might not have been given a very high priority,” said Prof. Hunter, adding that “we need to do a better job of communicating with the public…how science is done.”

From an anomalous spot on a novel assay, Prof. Hunter’s discovery has yielded a deluge of modern cancer therapies, and the symposium next heard from one of the beneficiaries of that pipeline. In 2005, Brian Koffman, MDCM, DCFP, FCFP, DABFP, MSEd, who is now Director of the Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Society, was enjoying his life. “We’d gotten our kids off to college, we were empty nesters for the first time and looking forward to our oldest getting married in a few months,” said Dr. Koffman. Then a routine blood test upended his world. “I got this diagnosis that I had this incurable and, in my case, very aggressive form of CLL,” he said.

A Grim Prognosis

The prognosis was grim. At the time, there were no approved therapies for his form of the disease that had even been shown to prolong life; he only had a one in 20 chance of surviving another five years. “It was the sense of not being able to meet my grandkids, not being able to enjoy the time with my wife, all of those things, seeing them disappear, [it was] an extraordinarily difficult time in my life,” said Dr. Koffman.

His condition deteriorated fast. After a failed bone marrow transplant and multiple hospitalizations, he found a clinical trial for an experimental drug now called ibrutinib. The small molecule works by binding irreversibly to a cellular protein called Bruton’s tyrosine kinase, inhibiting the B cell proliferation that defines CLL. The drug’s development grew directly from Prof. Hunter’s discovery of the centrality of tyrosine phosphorylation in cancer.

“I was hoping for a cure, I was hoping this would be it, [that] this drug would knock out and control the disease,” said Dr. Koffman. Indeed, the day after receiving his first dose of ibrutinib, he noticed that the swollen lymph nodes on his neck seemed to be getting smaller. “Three days later they felt softer, and by a week later they were unequivocally smaller. It almost tears me up with joy now to think of [that moment], it’s like ‘oh my God, I’ve got a chance I could actually live,’” he said.

Discoveries From the Field of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibition

Koffman’s disease did eventually return, but by then researchers and pharmaceutical companies had developed newer generations of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, allowing him to live a mostly normal life. “The greatest joy is holding your new grandkids; it’s incredible to be able to see your grandkids and…now to play a part in their lives as they’re growing up,” he said.

To keep those kinds of breakthroughs coming, researchers continue to mine a rich vein of discoveries from the field of tyrosine kinase inhibition, which now extends beyond cancer. David Kuter, MD, DPhil, Distinguished Physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, led the audience through a summary of his own work on autoimmune cytopenias. In these diseases, an aberrant response by a patient’s B cells causes them to destroy the stem cells that give rise to different components of blood.

These conditions can cause everything from bleeding disorders to cognitive dysfunction, and there were no effective treatments for them. Because ibrutinib inhibits B cell proliferation, Dr. Kuter and his colleagues reasoned that it could work against autoimmune cytopenias. Their clinical results have validated that idea in one form of the disease, and they’re now evaluating it against others. “This has been a terrific new molecule to treat these disorders,” said Kuter.

A Revolution in Our Understanding of Cancer

Jennifer Brown, MD, PhD, Director of the CLL Center of the Division of Hematologic Malignancies at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, returned the subject to CLL, starting with her involvement in Brian Koffman’s treatment. “We were the physicians who Brian called to say his lymph nodes were shrinking before his eyes,” said Dr. Brown.

She also discovered that while the patients were undergoing dramatic recoveries in their symptoms, their blood tests revealed that the disease had not gone away. “They’re mostly partial responses, there are still cells [cancerous B cells] circulating in the blood, they’re not completely eradicated yet,” she said. Fortunately, research in her lab and elsewhere has continued to identify novel ways to target tyrosine kinase inhibitors, allowing patients to keep their disease under control for decades.

The meeting concluded with Heaton and Prof. Hunter returning to the stage, along with Nobel laureate Harold Varmus, MD, for a wide-ranging discussion on the legacy of Prof. Hunter’s work and the importance of basic research. “The basic science enterprise to me is one of the most important things we need to be doing right now,” said Dr. Varmus, adding that “it’s so important to…not only the nation’s future, but the world’s future.”

Indeed, Prof. Hunter’s own work illustrates that principle powerfully. Driven by pure scientific curiosity, he investigated a puzzling dark spot on a biochemical assay, and discovered how an obscure viral protein functioned. That finding, and subsequent work by his lab and others, opened an entirely new field of research that has now launched dozens of targeted therapies for cancer and other diseases, saving many years of life that might otherwise have been lost. “The study of tumor viruses and their oncogenes really led to a revolution in our understanding of cancer,” said Prof. Hunter.

Harvard’s Josh Lerner Receives Constellation Award

Nicholas Dirks (left) presents Josh Lerner with his trophy on stage during the 2026 Spring Soirée.

With expertise in venture capital, private equity, innovation policy, and entrepreneurial management, Josh Lerner’s work bridges the worlds of business and science.

Published May 4, 2026

By Nick Fetty

Scientific breakthroughs are increasingly reliant on private capital to transition from the lab to the market. Harvard Business School’s Josh Lerner, PhD, has just the expertise to make this transition possible.

The New York Academy of Sciences honored Prof. Lerner with its inaugural Constellation Award during the 2026 Spring Soirée. The Soirée was hosted on April 21^st at the University Club in New York City.

“We believe that forging stronger relations between knowledge and capital has the potential to accelerate scientific breakthroughs, even as it provides absolutely critical funding for scientific research, especially at a time like this when federal support for science is so uncertain,” said Academy President and CEO Nicholas Dirks. “For recognizing exemplary leadership and synergy in driving transformative science for the benefit of society in collaboration with the Academy we are conferring on you tonight the Constellation Award. Josh, our hearty congratulations.”

Prof. Lerner then took the stage to accept his award and provide remarks.

“Clearly we’re at a time today where even though we here all collectively agree that science is a good thing and must be supported, there are more questions than ever about it,” said Prof. Lerner. “While we can talk about how ill-founded and problematic many of the critiques are, at the same time it’s worth acknowledging that the way in which the impact of science is both communicated, as well as the mechanisms by which it gets translated, could use some improvement.”

Driving Transformative Science for the Benefit of Society

Prof. Lerner has been instrumental in the “Private Capital and Discovery: Strategic Investing in Scientific Innovation” series, which concluded earlier this year. This four-part series, a collaboration between the Academy and the Private Capital Research Institute (PCRI), was launched in fall 2025. The series, sponsored by Ropes & Gray, focuses on fostering a broader understanding of the recent scientific and technological trends and their implications for private capital investors. The inaugural series covered four areas:

Due to the impact and response from the inaugural series, Prof. Lerner expressed interest in extending the partnership with the Academy to continue to advance research and public understanding of this field.

A Pioneering Researcher in Venture Capital and Private Equity

From left: Charles Kennedy, Josh Lerner, and Stuart Firestein.

Josh Lerner is the Jacob H. Schiff Professor at Harvard Business School and director of PCRI. Founded by Prof. Lerner in 2011, PCRI is a Massachusetts-based non-profit that seeks to further the understanding of private capital and its impact through independent academic studies.

His research focuses on venture capital, private equity organizations, and innovation policy. During the 1993-94 academic year he developed an elective course for second-year MBA students titled “Venture Capital and Private Equity.” The course, which “has consistently been one of the largest elective courses at Harvard Business School and whose teaching materials are used in business schools around the world,” has led to the publication of Venture Capital and Private Equity: A Casebook (now in its fifth edition) and the textbook Venture Capital, Private Equity, and the Financing of Entrepreneurship.

After completing his undergraduate studies at Yale University, Prof. Lerner worked in technological innovation and public policy, including at the Brookings Institution, before earning his PhD in economics from Harvard. He has authored more than a dozen books, including Boulevard of Broken Dreams: Why Public Efforts to Boost Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Have Failed—and What to Do about It, as well as hundreds of journal articles, working papers, book chapters, and other reports.

“The work that [PCRI does] with the Academy, trying to bring together both some of the most thoughtful financiers and scientists, hopefully will be a very rich theme that we can continue to mine in the years to come,” concluded Prof. Lerner.

The Soirée is the Academy’s premiere fundraising event each year. Learn more about how your support can make a difference.

CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta Honored for Science Communication

From war zones and natural disasters to medical marijuana and pandemics, Dr. Gupta’s career has covered the gambit of public health issues.

Published May 4, 2026

By Nick Fetty

In an era of misinformation and partisanship, CNN’s chief medical correspondent, Sanjay Gupta, MD, understands the importance of effective science communication.

From left: Dan Barrow, Mollie Barrow, Rebecca Gupta, and Sanjay Gupta.

The New York Academy of Sciences honored Dr. Gupta with its 2026 Science Communicator Award during the second annual Spring Soirée, hosted on April 21^st at the University Club in New York City. CNN was a Benefactor-level supporter for the event.

“For over twenty years, Sanjay has occupied a peculiar and precious space: where the lab meets the living room,” said Dan Barrow, MD, the Pamela R. Rollins Professor and chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery at Emory University School of Medicine, as he introduced Dr. Gupta.

“He understood something that far too many science communicators never quite figure out. The goal isn’t to impress. It’s to illuminate,” Dr. Barrow concluded.

Dr. Gupta then took to the stage to accept the award and deliver his remarks.

“Many years ago when I first started doing television [my wife] Rebecca gave me the single best piece of advice I’d ever heard about being on camera. She said treat the lens as if it were a patient,” Dr. Gupta said. “It changed how I spoke, what I said, how much empathy I could transmit. The lens for me stopped being a piece of glass and started being something, someone that I really cared about.”

Dr. Gupta is just the third person to receive this honor after the inaugural award was bestowed upon documentarians Janet Tobias and Jared Lipworth during the 2025 Spring Soirée.

From the September 11 Attacks to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Sanjay Gupta credits his wife Rebecca for giving him the advice that enables him to be so comfortable in front of the camera.

A practicing neurosurgeon, Dr. Gupta has been with CNN since 2001. He broke stories about the threat of anthrax following the September 11 terrorist attacks. He’s reported from war-torn regions in Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Afghanistan, and has performed life-saving brain surgery for patients in desert operating rooms. He has also extensively covered natural and manmade disasters including:

Tsunamis in Sri Lanka (2004)
Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans (2005)
The Gulf of Mexico oil spill (2006)
Flooding in Pakistan (2010)
Earthquakes in Haiti (2010)
Earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan (2011)
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa (2014)
Earthquakes in Nepal (2015)
Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico (2017)

This award from the Academy is just the latest on a shelf already full of accolades Dr. Gupta has to his name including the John F. Kennedy University Laureate award, PEOPLE magazine’s “Sexiest Men Alive” list, and multiple Emmy® awards. In 2019 he was elected to the National Academy of Medicine, “considered one of the highest honors in the medical field.”

In addition to his work with CNN, Dr. Gupta also serves as an associate professor of neurosurgery at Emory University Hospital and associate chief of neurosurgery at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta.

Hail to the Victors

Sanjay Gupta (left) talks with Nicholas Dirks during the Soirée. The two have a mutual connection to the University of Michigan. While Dr. Gupta is an alum, Prof. Dirks was on faculty at Michigan in the 1990s.

The University of Michigan holds a special place in Dr. Gupta’s heart. Not only is it his alma mater (twice over), but his parents first met in Ann Arbor in the 1960s. He once delivered a rousing commencement address in Michigan’s historic “Big House.”

“If you ever cheer for another team in competition with the Wolverines, then some 500,000 alumni will hunt you down and paint you maize and blue,” Dr. Gupta said during the 2012 address.

Using his decades of on-camera experience, Dr. Gupta even tried his hand as a “‘sideline reporter’ of sorts” during Michigan’s 2018 championship run in men’s basketball. Though they fell short of the title in 2018, Dr. Gupta was proud to watch them best the UConn Huskies 69-63 to claim the 2026 championship.

“It only took us 37 years,” he said with a smile during a photoshoot after the Soirée’s program, referring to Michigan’s 1989 title run.

His fondness for his upbringing in the Wolverine State came through during his Soirée remarks. In an era when approximately 80 percent of Americans cannot cite a single living scientist, Dr. Gupta said he was grateful to be raised by one in his mother, Damyanti. At the age of 24, “she was designing cars as the first woman hired in the United States as an engineer at the Ford Motor Co.” Growing up, the word “impossible” was not allowed in the Gupta household.

“My mom to me was the first and best example of science and what it can do for mankind,” Dr. Gupta concluded. “[We’re living in a] time where science has never been more powerful and never more questioned. But that tension is why science communication matters. Not as an afterthought, once the real work is done, but as part of the work itself.”

The Soirée is the Academy’s premiere fundraising event each year. Learn more about how your support can make a difference.

Business Executive Maria Gotsch named “Visionary” Awardee

Maria Gotsch’s acumen combines her economic expertise with a focus on improving New York City by advancing science.

Published May 4, 2026

By Nick Fetty

While the mission of The New York Academy of Sciences is to advance science for the benefit of society, the Partnership Fund for New York City (the Fund) similarly aims to advance economic and business interests for the betterment of the city.

From left: Kathy Wylde, Nicholas Dirks, and Maria Gotsch.

The Academy honored Maria Gotsch, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fund, with its 2026 Trailblazer Award during the second annual Spring Soirée, hosted on April 21^st at the University Club in New York City. The Fund was a Benefactor-level sponsor for the event.

Kathy Wylde, the longtime leader of the Partnership for New York City who announced her retirement last year, took to the stage to introduce the award. She discussed how Gotsch’s early career straddled “two iconic New York industries:” the Broadway stage and Wall Street. Gotsch found success in banking prior to transitioning to the non-profit sector, “where she could make maximum impact in the city she loved.”

“At the Fund Maria has excelled at mobilizing private sector resources both investment capital and expertise, to create jobs, strengthen communities, and support the innovators and entrepreneurs who are defining New York’s place in a rapidly changing economy,” said Wylde.

The Power of Pink and Yellow Flowers

Wylde then called Gotsch to the stage to present her with the glass trophy.

“Being an advocate for the last 15 years for scientists and the translation of their work into commercial products has been a pleasure,” Gotsch said.

Gotsch traced her interest in biomedical science to when she was six years old. When her beloved grandmother Mildred passed away from cancer, she wrote a letter to then President Richard Nixon advocating for the United States government to fund cancer research. She noted that the stationary she used to pen the note was etched in “little pink and yellow flowers.”

“Today annual federal funding for cancer research is four times higher than it was in 1970 and there have been stunning breakthroughs in treatment and early detection. So never underestimate the power of little pink and yellow flowers,” Gotsch said with a smile, as those in attendance laughed along.

Gotsch is just the second person to receive this honor after the inaugural award was given to Albert Bourla, DVM, PhD, Chairman and CEO of Pfizer, during the 2025 Spring Soirée.

Advancing Economics for the Benefit of NYC

Gotsch joined the Fund in 1999 after stints with BT Wolfensohn (now part of Deutsche Bank), LaSalle Partners, and Merrill Lynch. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from Wellesley College.

During her time with the Fund, she has spearheaded the creation and operation of several of her organization’s strategic initiatives, including:

FinTech Innovation Lab
New York Digital Health Accelerator
NYCSeed
BioAccelerate Prize NYC
Arts Entrepreneurial Loan Fund
ReStart Central and Financial Recovery Fund

In addition to leading the Fund, Gotsch serves advisory roles at Columbia University, ProPublica, and Sonepar. She’s also been honored for her business acumen by top industry outlets like Crain’s, City & State, and Institutional Investor.

Founded in 1996, investor and philanthropist Henry Kravis wanted to create a “corporate civic investment fund” to benefit the city and its people. Kravis was largely influenced by David Rockefeller who rallied the private sector to overcome the city’s financial crisis in the mid-1970s. To date, the fund has invested over $200 million and has built a network of top experts from the investment and corporate communities who help identify and support New York City’s most promising entrepreneurs in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors.

“At its core the mission is clear. New York City needs to live up to its potential. We have world class science at our universities and the companies that are developing the world class cures should also be in New York City, not in Boston,” Gotsch concluded, with many in attendance cheering on her subtle dig at New York’s rival city. “We are all lucky to spend time in the community of the curious and the creative.”

The Soirée is the Academy’s premiere fundraising event each year. Learn more about how your support can make a difference.

NYU President Emeritus Honored as Science “Trailblazer”

Education, humility, laughter, faith, and baseball are just some of the guiding principles in the life of scholar and leader John E. Sexton.

Published May 4, 2026

By Nick Fetty

An already accomplished legal scholar and education leader, John E. Sexton, PhD, has yet another award for his trophy case.

John Sexton, PhD, (center) is flanked by Linda G. Mills, PhD, (left) and Seema Kumar.

The New York Academy of Sciences honored Prof. Sexton with its 2026 Trailblazer Award during the second annual Spring Soirée, hosted on April 21^st at the University Club in New York City. Linda G. Mills, PhD, current President of NYU, took to the stage to introduce Prof. Sexton and the award. NYU was an Academic Patron-level sponsor for the event.

“There are leaders who steer institutions, and then there are those who chart entirely new paths. Tonight, as we honor my dear friend and colleague John Sexton, we celebrate someone who didn’t just follow the trajectory of higher education, he redrew the map,” Prof. Mills said. “John has left an indelible mark on every corner of our beloved New York University.”

Sanctitas, Scientia, Sanitas

Prof. Sexton then took to the stage to accept the award. He recalled a commencement address he gave to his high school alma mater more than six decades ago. The address was about the Latin motto of the now-defunct Brooklyn Preparatory School in Crown Heights: Sanctitas, Scientia, Sanitas. He translated this to “Take care of the mind, the body, and the soul.”

“In those days we believed in a common. We believed in institutions. We believed in leaders. And we believed that it was worth sacrificing for that commonweal,” said Prof. Sexton. “We live in times when all of those things that we took for granted back when I gave those speeches, are under attack. [These are no longer] axioms of our society.”

During his five-year stint as Chair of the Academy’s Board of Governors, he said it was the intelligent and passionate individuals who made the extraordinary happen. He called the Academy’s current leadership, President Nicholas Dirks and Board Chair Peter Salovey, PhD, a “one-two punch.”

Prof. Sexton is just the second person to receive this honor after the inaugural award was bestowed upon AI pioneer Yann LeCun during the 2025 Spring Soirée.

A Legal Scholar and Academic Administrator

Academy Board Chair John Sexton (left) confers with Gov. Paterson and Academy President Ellis Rubinstein (right) during Paterson’s “new economy” announcement at the Academy in 2009.

Early in his career, Prof. Sexton served as a professor of religion at Saint Francis College in Brooklyn, which included chairing the department for six years. After completing his PhD in the History of American Religion from Fordham University, and a JD magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, he served as a Law Clerk to Chief Justice Warren Burger of the United States Supreme Court.

Much of his professional career has straddled law scholarship and academic administration. He joined the faculty of NYU’s Law School in 1981 and ascended to the rank of Dean in 1988. Prof. Sexton became the 15^th president of NYU in 2002 and served in that role until 2015. He also served as Chair of the Academy’s Board of Governors between 2007 and 2011.

Baseball and Religion

Prof. Sexton remains committed to his Catholic faith, even though his late wife and children were raised Jewish. He is also a baseball fan and a devotee of the Yankees, though he was a Dodgers fan prior to the team leaving Brooklyn for Los Angeles in 1957. He combined his love of the game with his theological scholarship in an NYU course he taught called “Baseball as a Road to God.” He borrowed this title for a book he published in 2014.

“The real idea of the course,” he told The New York Times in 2012, “is to develop heightened sensitivity and a noticing capacity. So baseball’s not ‘the’ road to God. For most of us, it isn’t ‘a’ road to God. But it’s a way to notice, to cause us to live more slowly and to watch more keenly and thereby to discover the specialness of our life and our being, and, for some of us, something more than our being.”

John Sexton (center) poses with his trophy.

Prof. Sexton’s humility came through throughout the night at the Soirée. In his closing remarks, he joked that he receiving such an honor was like the classic Sesame Street segment One of These Things (Is Not Like the Others).

“It’s kind of fun not being the one that belongs with the others because I get to watch you people do miraculous things,” Prof. Sexton concluded. “There’s never been a time when thought has been more under challenge. And there’s never been a time when gathering as a community of thought has been more important.”

The Soirée is the Academy’s premiere fundraising event each year. Learn more about how your support can make a difference.

Recognizing Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring

Five formally dressed people pose together on stage.

Rocheli Apilan and Samay Garg, PhD, are the recipients of the 2026 Cognizant STEM Teacher of the Year and the Cognizant STEM Mentor of the Year.

Published April 30, 2026

By Nick Fetty

From left: Jatin Dalal, Cognizant CFO; John Kim, Cognizant CLO; Samay Garg, PhD, 2026 Cognizant STEM Mentor of the Year; Rocheli Apilan, 2026 Cognizant STEM Teacher of the Year; and Peter Salovey, PhD, Chair of the Academy’s Board of Governors.

The New York Academy of Sciences’ STEM education initiatives are a foundational pillar of the Academy’s mission to advance science for the benefit of society.

Two inspiring participants in the Academy’s STEM programs were recently recognized for their achievements during the Academy’s second annual Spring Soirée, held at the University Club in New York City.

Rocheli Apilan, a teacher at the High School for Health Professions & Human Services, was the 2026 recipient of the Cognizant STEM Teacher of the Year, while the 2026 Cognizant STEM Mentor of the Year award went to Samay Garg, PhD, a mentor at P.S./M.S. 37 Children’s Arts & Science Workshop in the Bronx.

Cognizant executive team attending the Soirée.

This year’s awards are sponsored by Cognizant, which also served as Mission Partner for the Soirée. Cognizant aims to “[engineer] modern business to improve everyday lives” through work that transforms experiences, reimagines processes, and modernizes technology. Over the past 30 years, the company has generated more than $21 billion in revenue and has grown to more than 350,000 employees across the globe. Ravi Kumar S, a member of the Academy’s Board of Governors, has served as Cognizant’s CEO since 2023.

“We know how essential it is to grow the talent pipeline and forge new pathways for the next generation of scientists for the good of humanity,” said Peter Salovey, PhD, Chair of the Academy’s Board of Governors, when introducing the awardees. “This year we’re delighted and grateful that Cognizant is playing a leadership role in supporting these awards.”

Jatin Dalal, Cognizant CFO, and John Kim, Cognizant CLO, both joined Prof. Salovey on stage to congratulate the winners. This marks the second time the Academy has bestowed this recognition. Last year’s recipients were teacher Brittany Beck and mentor Megan C. Henriquez. Beck was in attendance at the 2026 event.

The 2026 Cognizant STEM Teacher of the Year

Rocheli Apilan (right), 2026 Cognizant STEM Teacher of the Year poses with Brittany Beck, recipient of the 2025 prize.

For Apilan, one of the most rewarding parts of her job is watching the students “shift from memorizing facts to genuinely thinking like scientists, asking questions, challenging ideas, and making sense of the world around them.” Once a concept “clicks” with her students she can see the boost in their confidence.

“My job isn’t to teach students what to think, but to help them think like scientists long after they leave my classroom,” she said.

She was “shocked” when she heard the news and had to read the email multiple times before she truly processed it. While the award was personally enriching, she acknowledged it was a strong support system around her that made it happen. The award “reflects the hard work and curiosity of [her] students and the support of [her] colleagues, school, and the Scientist-in-Residence program.”

“It was a humbling reminder that the work we do in the classroom truly matters and is being seen and recognized,” she said. “Ultimately, this award motivates me to keep growing, innovating, and advocating for meaningful STEM education for all students.”

The 2026 Cognizant STEM Mentor of the Year

Samay Garg, PhD (left), is recognized by Peter Salovey, PhD, on stage at the Soirée.

Dr. Garg, a recipient of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, holds a BS in chemical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley where he studied water electrolysis and fuel cells at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He also holds an MS and PhD in chemical engineering from Columbia University. His work in the Chen Research Group focused on developing electrocatalytic processes for chemical synthesis. He was recently a co-first author on a paper published in the journal Nature Chemical Engineering focused on converting CO2 into carbon nanomaterials.

This spring he worked with a 5^th grade class on their marble runs curriculum. He’s been a part of the Academy’s Afterschool STEM Mentoring Program (ASMP) since 2023. Much like Apilan, Dr. Garg said one of the most rewarding parts of this work is when students truly grasp a science or engineering concept for the first time.

“Even if it’s something like friction or gravity that I would consider very basic, seeing them develop an understanding of how these forces work through hands-on experiments reminds me why I love being a scientist and why I wanted to pursue a career in research,” said Dr. Garg, adding that the opportunity has allowed him to develop critical skills in teaching, mentoring, and communication.

Small Actions, Outsized Impact

Dr. Garg, who’s an active runner and cyclist in his free time, will now join the Tarpeh Research Group at Stanford University for postdoctoral research focused on electrocatalytic wastewater remediation. While his west coast move means he will no longer formally be involved with the Academy’s ASMP program, he reiterated that these programs are enriching for all involved.

“I just want to encourage other PhD students to engage in STEM outreach programs,” he said. “The activation barrier is relatively small, but this award is a reminder that even small actions can have an outsized impact on the students we work with.”

The Soirée is the Academy’s premiere fundraising event each year. Learn more about how your support can make a difference.

Celebrating Science, Visionaries, and Impact: The New York Academy of Sciences’ 2026 Spring Soirée

A woman presents to a banquet hall full of people.

The New York Academy of Sciences’ 2026 Spring Soirée brought together leaders across academia, industry, and philanthropy to celebrate science and recognize outstanding contributions to the public good. As the Academy’s flagship fundraising event, the evening helped raise sorely needed funds to advance science programming and education, and to nurture future scientific leaders, while honoring six distinguished awardees.

Published April 24, 2026

By Kamala Murthy

On April 21, 2026, The New York Academy of Sciences hosted its second annual 2026 Spring Soirée — the Academy’s flagship fundraising event of the year — welcoming guests from across New York City’s robust science, business, media, academic, and philanthropic communities. The evening convened a vibrant network of people whose attendance reinforced the shared belief that, when supported by funding and connected to collaboration, science has the power to improve lives and shape a better future.

Serving as Dinner Chair, Seema Kumar, the CEO of CURE and member of the Academy’s Board of Governors, opened the evening by reflecting on the Academy’s 200-year legacy of advancing discovery through convening the people and ideas that catalyze innovation and champion science in the service of society.

A Call to Supporting Science in Challenging Times

(Left to right) Brandon Regan, PhD, and Rose Faghih, PhD, faculty from NYU Tandon School of Engineering; John Kim, CLO of Cognizant; Academy Board Member, Chandrika Tandon; Janaki Bakhle, PhD from UC Berkeley; Sribala Subramanian, Columnist with The Diplomat; Ravi Kumar, Cognizant CEO, and Jatin Dalal, Cognizant CFO.

Academy President and CEO Nicholas Dirks welcomed guests to the Spring Soirée by underscoring the importance of advancing science for the public good, particularly amid global uncertainty and declining trust in institutions. He emphasized the role of science in combating misinformation, and fostering progress: “Science gives us the tools to understand complexity rather than fear it… and reminds us that progress — real, durable progress — is built not on ideological prejudice, but on free inquiry, collaboration, and trust.” Prof. Dirks also highlighted the responsibility of the scientific community to engage with the public and ensure the responsible use of emerging technologies. He thanked the Academy’s supporters, noting that the Spring Soirée is both a celebration and the Academy’s most important fundraising event, enabling continued investment in science and future generations.

In line with the evening’s fundraising efforts, Pat Tully, one of New York City’s top auctioneers, led the Soiree’s auction featuring exclusive experiences, including:

Behind-the-scenes scientific tours from Wildlife Conservation Society, Cornell Tech’s Tata Innovation Center, and NYU Langone Health’s Neuroscience Institute;
A rare Axiom spaceflight mission Ax-4 flown collectible;
A getaway from Prospect Berkshires;
High-demand tickets for a “Night at the Museum” conducted at the American Museum of Natural History; and
A unique opportunity to dine with Nobel Laureate and Academy Board member Michael Young.

The Soiree’s Award Winners

Throughout the evening, the Academy honored six award recipients whose work exemplifies leadership and service to society.

Inaugural Constellation Award

Prof. Dirks introduced the Soiree’s first honoree, Josh Lerner, PhD, the Jacob H. Schiff Professor at Harvard Business School and Co-Director of the HBS Private Capital Project, as the recipient of the Inaugural Constellation Award. Lerner was honored for his leadership in strengthening the relationship between scientific innovation and private capital in partnership with the Academy. Highlighting the critical importance of intersecting science and capital, Prof. Dirks said: “We believe forging stronger relationships between knowledge and capital has the potential to accelerate scientific breakthroughs… especially at a time when federal support for science is so uncertain.”

Visionary Award

Maria Gotsch, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Partnership Fund for NYC, was recognized with the Academy’s Visionary Award for her leadership in building New York City’s fintech and life sciences ecosystem, demonstrating how capital, when aligned with purpose, can transform entire sectors. She was introduced by Kathryn Wylde, the former president of the Partnership for NYC, an organization that has worked to advance New York City’s role as a global center of economic opportunity, upward mobility, and innovation. Wylde highlighted Gotsch’s leadership in supporting small businesses — from helping those displaced after 9/11 to safely reopening neighborhood businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cognizant STEM Awards

After Peter Salovey, PhD, the Chair of the Academy’s Board of Governors, recognized the Academy’s Board members for their stewardship, he introduced the Cognizant STEM awards. “We all know how essential it is to grow the talent pipeline… and create a sense of belonging and shared commitment to harnessing the power of science for the good of humanity.” Newly sponsored by Cognizant — the Cognizant STEM Teacher of the Year and Cognizant STEM Mentor of the Year — were jointly conferred by Cognizant’s CFO, Jatin Dalal, and Chief Legal Officer John Kim. Rocheli Apilan, a teacher at the High School for Health Professions & Human Services, was named Cognizant STEM Teacher of the Year. Samay Garg, PhD, from Columbia University’s Department of Chemical Engineering, was named Cognizant STEM Mentor of the Year. Both were honored for their personal investment in developing the next generation of scientists through the Academy’s STEM education programs.

(Left to right) Cognizant’s Jatin Dalal and John Kim with Cognizant STEM Award recipients, Samay Garg and Rocheli Apilan, with Peter Salovey.

Trailblazer Award

In a memorable introduction, New York University’s President Linda Mills touted the Academy’s Trailblazer Award recipient, John Sexton, PhD, President Emeritus of NYU and former Academy Board member, for his bold and unconventional leadership. “There are leaders who steer institutions — and then there are those who chart entirely new paths… John didn’t just follow the trajectory of higher education — he redrew the map.” She reflected on Prof. Sexton’s visionary creation of NYU Abu Dhabi and the risks inherent in true leadership, “Blazing a trail is not tidy work. It requires risk, improvisation, and the willingness to move forward even when the path isn’t clear.”

Science Communicator Award

Multiple Emmy®-award-winning Chief Medical Correspondent for CNN and practicing neurosurgeon, Sanjay Gupta, MD, was honored with the Academy’s Science Communicator Award for translating complex medical science into accessible, trusted insights, including during natural disasters and global health crises. Dr. Gupta’s mentor and colleague, Dan Barrow, MD, who serves as The Pamela R. Rollings Professor & Chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery at Emory University School of Medicine, conferred the award. Speaking to Gupta’s two-decade history of health and medical reporting for CNN, Dr. Barrow said, “It’s a strange thing to introduce someone who has already introduced himself to the entire country.” Barrow highlighted Gupta’s rare ability to connect science and the public, “He understood something that far too many science communicators never quite figure out: the goal isn’t to impress. It’s to illuminate!”

A Night Supporting the Future of Science

Closing out the evening, Soirée Dinner Chair Seema Kumar, reminded guests of the deeper purpose behind the Academy’s Spring Soirée, “The power of science is not just to discover, but to make a difference, because ultimately, progress is not defined by discovery alone, but by what we do with it.”

The Soirée was made possible through the generous support of Simons Foundation International, Cognizant, CURE, CNN, IBM, Partnership Fund for New York City, Roc360, Royalty Pharma, Johnson & Johnson, Leon Levy Foundation, Pfizer, Academy board members Laura B. Sachar and Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon, New York University, Yale University, and many other gracious partners.

Two formally dressed men pose together. The one man gives his friend bunny ears while goofing around. — John Sexton, recipient of the Trailblazer Award, with Philip Goldberg from NYU’s Center for Global Affairs.

A woman poses with a framed space badge. — John Sexton, recipient of the Trailblazer Award, with Philip Goldberg from NYU’s Center for Global Affairs.

From the 2014 Blavatnik National Awards to the 2025 Soljačić Prize

A former Blavatnik National Awards Laureate has paid it forward with a prize recognizing scientific excellence in his home country.

Published August 6, 2025

By Kamala Murthy

2014 Blavatnik National Awards Laureate, Marin Soljačić congratulates Pia Pilipović, winner of the 2025 Soljačić Prize. Credit: https://mzom.gov.hr/vijesti/7141

Massachusetts Institute of Technology physicist and 2014 Blavatnik National Awards Laureate Marin Soljačić established the Soljačić Prize in his home country of Croatia. He used part of his $250,000 unrestricted prize money from the Blavatnik Award to create a prize that recognizes exceptional Croatian high school graduates in mathematics and physics, awarding $5,000 annually to outstanding students.

“When I established this prize, there were few such award programs in Croatia, especially for young students – in the USA they are much more common,” said Prof. Soljačić. “The Blavatnik Awards and other prizes played an important, encouraging role in my growth as a scientist, and I wanted to establish something like that for Croatian students. I also wanted to inspire other institutions and individuals to establish similar prizes in Croatia.”

The 2025 Soljačić Prize was awarded to Pia Pilipović, a graduating student from the XV Gymnasium, a school in Zagreb. The school has now produced seven Soljačić winners in the 11-year history of the award. Soljačić is also a graduate of the XV Gymnasium.

Pia interviewed for Croatian Television. Credit: DNEVNIK.HR (Croatia)

Pia delivered extraordinary results on the Croatian national high‑school exit exams (državna matura). She scored a perfect score on the physics and mathematics (A‑level) exams, while also achieving 91.82 % in Croatian language and 85.5 % in English. Her flawless performance in the most complex quantitative subjects earned her the Soljačić Prize.

The prize was formally presented during an award ceremony held at the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth in Zagreb on July 29, 2025. Pia stood among other top graduates receiving various honors.

From left: Len Blavatnik, Founder of the Blavatnik Family Foundation; Marin Soljačić, 2014 Blavatnik National Awards Laureate; Rachel Wilson, 2014 Blavatnik National Awards Laureate; Adam Cohen, 2014 Blavatnik National Awards Laureate; and Ellis Rubinstein, President Emeritus of The New York Academy of Sciences.

Sparking Scientific Connections at the 2025 Blavatnik Science Symposium

The 2025 Blavatnik Science Symposium, hosted by The New York Academy of Sciences, convened an extraordinary group of past and present Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists honorees for two days of cross-disciplinary exchange and forward-looking discussion on science with real-world impact.

Published July 28, 2025

By Kamala Murthy

A group photo of the attendees at the 2025 Blavatnik Science Symposium. Photo by Nick Fetty/The New York Academy of Sciences.

Held at the Academy on July 14–15, the event spotlighted pioneering research in neuroscience, quantum computing, genetics, AI, immunology, materials science, and sustainability while also serving as a vibrant forum for forging new scientific collaborations.

A Welcome Return to In-Person Dialogue

Opening the symposium, Academy President and CEO Nicholas B. Dirks reflected on the power of community:

“This symposium is more than just presentations — it’s a chance to connect across disciplines and geographies,” he said. “Many creative collaborations have had their beginnings right here, sparked by informal conversations over coffee or during meals, and continued well beyond these two days.”

Dirks underscored the remarkable achievements of the Blavatnik Awards community, which now includes more than 500 scientists from 120 institutions. Collectively, they have secured over 7,300 patents and launched more than 50 companies.

Exploring the Frontiers of Science

(Left to Right) Markita Landry (UC Berkeley) and Moran Shalev-Benami (Weizmann Institute). Photo by Nick Fetty/The New York Academy of Sciences.

The symposium’s first day began with Session I: Insights Engineered from the Molecular World, where Markita Landry (UC Berkeley) introduced nanoscale fluorescent sensors for real-time imaging of neurotransmitters. She was followed by Moran Shalev-Benami (Weizmann Institute), who unveiled a new type of light-sensing protein discovered in Antarctic algae. Speaking virtually, Nieng Yan (Tsinghua University and Shenzhen Bay Laboratory) presented groundbreaking research from her lab on sodium channels that has provided the structural blueprint for non-addictive, non-opioid pain therapies, such as the FDA-approved Journavx.

Session II: Building the Future: Materials for a Sustainable Planet featured keynote talks from two innovators in materials science. Yi Cui (Stanford University), founder of Amprius Technologies, discussed advances in lithium battery chemistry that could quadruple energy density. Geoffrey Coates (Cornell University) shared real-world case studies where polymer science led to startups addressing plastic recycling and green hydrogen production.

The Entangled Realities session panel (left to right) Shruti Puri (Yale), Danna Freedman (MIT), Vinod Vaikuntanathan (MIT), and Ana Maria Rey (CU Boulder) answer questions from the audience. Photo by Nick Fetty/The New York Academy of Sciences.

Quantum science took center stage in Session III: Entangled Realities: How Quantum Ideas Are Reshaping Science, beginning with Danna Freedman (MIT), who presented her work designing molecular qubits. Shruti Puri (Yale University) followed with insights into how entanglement enables quantum fault-tolerance. Vinod Vaikuntanathan (MIT) explored lattice-based cryptography designed to resist quantum attacks, and Ana Maria Rey (University of Colorado) examined how photon-mediated atomic interactions can power next-generation quantum sensors.

In Session IV: Evolutionary Code Underlying Immunity and Inheritance, Harmit Malik (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center /HHMI) explained how evolutionary “scars” reveal key antiviral defense mechanisms. Sohini Ramachandran (Brown University) addressed the ethical misuse of genetic research and advocated for emphasizing human genetic diversity. Ruslan Medzhitov (Yale/HHMI) offered an evolutionary lens to reframe our understanding of allergies.

A Community of Change-Makers

Day 2 opened with remarks from Sonya Dougal the Academy’s Senior Vice President of Awards & Scientific Programs, who spoke to the lasting connections fostered through the Blavatnik Awards:

“When you become a Blavatnik honoree, you become part of this distinguished and enduring community,” she said. “The ideas celebrated here often gain traction well beyond the lab, attracting investors, crossing into the commercial realm, and generating meaningful societal impact.”

Innovations Across the Brain, AI, and Planetary Science

The “Beyond the Breakthrough: Translating Innovation into Real-World Impact” panel (Left to Right) Edward Chang (UCSF), Viviana Gradinaru (Caltech), Yi Cui (Stanford University), Geoffrey Coates (Cornell University), and Chris Bregler (Google DeepMind). Photo by Nick Fetty/The New York Academy of Sciences.

Session V: Tuning the Brain with Microbes, Molecules, and Machines kicked off the second day’s talks. Edward Chang (UCSF), renowned for developing a brain implant that enabled a paralyzed man to speak, presented new work decoding the neural code of speech. Christoph Thaiss (Stanford/Arc Institute) examined how the brain integrates signals from both the body and the external environment. Viviana Gradinaru (Caltech) shared her lab’s decade-long efforts to engineer viral vectors that cross the blood-brain barrier—a technology now moving into human trials via her company, Capsida Biotherapeutics.

Keynote speaker Chris Bregler (Google DeepMind), a pioneer in AI-generated media and Academy Award winner for visual effects, reflected on the promises and perils of deepfakes. He then moderated a panel, Beyond the Breakthrough: Translating Innovation into Real-World Impact, featuring Edward Chang, Geoffrey Coates, Yi Cui, and Viviana Gradinaru. The panelists shared candid reflections on launching startups, consulting with venture capitalists, and turning research breakthroughs into scalable tools and treatments.

The final session, Observing the Universe: From Earth to the Stars, expanded the symposium’s view to planetary and environmental systems. Kaiyu Guan (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) described how AI and satellite imaging are transforming agriculture and enabling the decarbonization of global supply chains. Rebecca Oppenheimer (American Museum of Natural History) highlighted recent discoveries of new, exotic extrasolar planetary systems. Britney Schmidt (Cornell University) detailed her team’s research in Greenland, where they used under-ice robotics to investigate how subglacial outflows are accelerating ice loss and ultimately influencing marine ecosystems.

Edward Chang (UCSF) speaks about the development of his neuroprosthesis that has enabled paralyzed individuals to communicate through an AI interface. Photo by Nick Fetty/The New York Academy of Sciences.

Celebrating Scientific Brilliance and Resilience

Highlights from the 2025 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in Israel.

Published June 13, 2025

By Kamala Murthy

Against the backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea and the luminous Peres Center for Peace and Innovation in Tel Aviv, Israel, over one hundred preeminent scientific researchers, dignitaries, academics, business leaders, and supporters gathered on June 4, 2025, for an unforgettable evening honoring the future of science in Israel. The 2025 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in Israel recognized three of the country’s most promising early-career researchers in the fields of Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, and Physical Sciences & Engineering.

Now in its eighth year, the Blavatnik Awards in Israel ceremony was both a celebration of scientific discovery and a tribute to resilience. As the sun set over Jaffa and guests moved from the reception to the dinner ceremony, Israeli TV anchor Hila Korach, serving as the evening’s presenter, opened the event with a moving acknowledgment of the October 7th attacks and the remaining captivity of 58 Israeli hostages. The resilient spirit of the evening underscored a powerful message: even in the face of geopolitical hardship in the region, science continues to forge ahead as a force for good.

Welcoming the Laureates and Their Institutions with Fanfare

As trumpeters heralded the opening of the ceremony, flag bearers representing ten of Israel’s premier academic institutions led a procession onto the main stage, followed by this year’s three Laureates. These three outstanding scientists were selected from among 36 top nominees from universities and research institutions across Israel. The following scientists were recognized as Laureates at the ceremony, where they received medals and presented a captivating overview of their groundbreaking research:

Professor Yonatan Stelzer (Weizmann Institute of Science) – Life Sciences
Dr. Benjamin Palmer (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev) – Chemical Sciences
Professor Chaim Garfinkel (Hebrew University of Jerusalem) – Physical Sciences & Engineering

“Laureates, we know you will triumph! We believe in you!”

The flag procession was followed by a dramatic vocal performance of the song “Believer” sung by a youth ensemble from the Artik Music School. The musical performance was designed to inspire guests to be believers in science, with resilience being the key to success.

Science, Hope, and Prosperity

The Blavatnik Award’s two administrative partners underscored the program’s mission to empower young scientists at a pivotal point in their careers when recognition and support can significantly impact their lives as scientists. In his heartfelt remarks, Professor David Harel, President of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, emphasized the urgent need to protect the freedom and integrity of academic inquiry in science, particularly in politically and culturally challenging times. Nicholas Dirks, President & CEO of The New York Academy of Sciences, spoke to the 18-year success story of the Blavatnik Awards, leading it to become one of the most prestigious international science prizes for early-career scientists. Dirks also emphasized how the Blavatnik Awards have helped drive economic prosperity, turning $20 million in collective prize money into $2.4 billion in market capitalization, with over 50 companies founded by past Blavatnik Scholars, including six companies that are publicly traded.

A recorded message from Israel’s President Isaac Herzog served as a reminder that the Blavatnik Awards in Israel are in addition to being a tribute to three brilliant scientists from Israeli institutions are also a declaration of unwavering faith in science as a beacon of light in turbulent times. Herzog quoted Israel’s first President, Chaim Weizmann: “I trust and feel sure in my heart that science will bring to this land both peace and a renewal of its youth.” A moving performance by Israeli musical icon Aviv Geffen further added to the evening’s theme of hope and determination, echoing the national longing for unity, peace, and progress.

Israel’s Scientific Excellence on Display

Life Sciences Laureate, Yonatan Stelzer, PhD, from the Weizmann Institute of Science transported the audience into the remarkable world of embryonic development. His lab’s pioneering models of mammalian cell differentiation offer profound insight into how identical cells diversify into complex organisms—knowledge that holds transformative potential for regenerative medicine.

Physical Sciences & Engineering Laureate, Chaim Garfinkel, PhD, from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, followed with a dynamic exploration of climate modeling. He illuminated the atmospheric mechanisms that influence extreme weather events and detailed how improving prediction models can save lives and guide global climate policy.

Finally, Chemical Sciences Laureate, Benjamin Palmer, PhD, from Ben-Gurion University in the Negev, captivated attendees with a dazzling look into organic biomineralization. Studying how creatures like shrimp and plankton create reflective crystals, his lab is revealing new paths to develop sustainable optical materials that may one day replace conventional, toxic alternatives like titanium dioxide.

A Toast to Science and the Future

The evening concluded with a celebratory toast as the Laureates joined Professors Harel and Dirks on stage. Guests lifted their glasses with a collective “L’chaim!” — to science, to knowledge, and to a better future for the region.

The day prior, the 2025 Laureates presented their research at a public symposium held at the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Jerusalem. 2019 Blavatnik Awards in Israel Laureate Professor Michal Rivlin from the Weizmann Institute delivered the opening symposium lecture. Among the attendees were members of the public and STEM high school students from several regional high schools near Jerusalem.

The 2025 Blavatnik Awards ceremony venue overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Older posts