Award Winner

Recognizing Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring

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.

Dedicated to Advancing Pharmaceutical Science

Albert Bourla, DVM, PhD, Chairman and CEO of Pfizer, was one of three Honorees recently recognized by The New York Academy of Sciences (the Academy) for outstanding contributions to science.

Published May 12, 2025

By Nick Fetty

Dr. Albert Bourla at the Soirée.

Dr. Bourla was presented with the inaugural Visionary Award in recognition for his “anything is possible attitude” which, in part, helped Pfizer develop a vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic. The award was presented during the Academy’s recent 2025 Spring Soirée, hosted at the University Club of New York.

“Albert is a scientist who believes that science is the answer to many of society’s challenges. It drives his career and motivates everything he does,” said Chris Boshoff, MD, PhD, Pfizer’s Chief Scientific Officer and President, Research & Development during the Soirée. “[He] inspires all of us to never give up, to learn from failure, and then to reach higher.”

Pfizer has been a long-time partner of the Academy, supporting numerous life-sciences conferences as well as the International Science Reserve.

Effective Leadership

Dr. Bourla joined Pfizer in 1993, first as a doctor of veterinary medicine and technical director for the company’s animal health division in Greece. In 2019, he was named the company’s chief executive. He has “accelerated Pfizer’s transformation to become a more science-driven, innovative company—divesting its non-science-based businesses and dramatically increasing its R&D and digital innovation budgets.” Additionally, he established Pfizer’s Purpose Blueprint, which emphasizes the core values of courage, excellence, equity, and joy.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Bourla led the development of a safe and effective vaccine. While this process can take up to 10 years, he inspired colleagues to expedite it to just eight months while maintaining quality and integrity. He authored a book about this experience, which went on to be a Wall Street Journal Best Seller, a Bronze Medalist in the 2023 Axiom Awards, and a Finalist for the National Jewish Book Awards.

From left: Dr. Chris Boshoff, Chief Scientific Officer and President, Research & Development for Pfizer; Dr. Albert Bourla, Chairman and CEO for Pfizer; and Prof. Nick Dirks, President and CEO for The New York Academy of Sciences.

Award-winning Work

A native of Greece, Dr. Bourla holds a PhD in the Biotechnology of Reproduction from the Veterinary School of Aristotle University in his home country. He’s been named CEO of the Year by CNN Business, a Most Transformative CEO by Business Insider, and an inductee into the Crain’s New York Business 2021 Hall of Fame. His work has also been recognized outside of the United States. He’s received the Golden Cross Order of the Redeemer, conferred by the President of Greece; the Order of Boyacá, conferred by the President of Colombia; and the Order of the Independence from the First Degree, conferred by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan.

While Dr. Bourla has earned numerous awards throughout his distinguished and impactful career, he was sincerely appreciative of the recent recognition from the Academy, which highlights his dedicated efforts to advancing science for the public good.

“Science is the cornerstone of progress in our society. It is how we’ve eradicated diseases. It is how we’ve improved healthcare. It is how we’ve expanded life expectancy. It has enabled the discovery of penicillin. Put a man on the moon. And, yes, led us in developing a vaccine that was able to save millions of lives and return society to normalcy: the COVID vaccine,” said Dr. Bourla while accepting the award. “No other force has the same ability to strengthen society and human health as science.”

Jared Lipworth Honored for Advancing Science Comms

Jared Lipworth, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and head of HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, was recently recognized by The New York Academy of Sciences (the Academy) for outstanding contributions to science.

Published May 8, 2025

By Nick Fetty

Jared Lipworth

Creating scientific programming that engages general audiences is an art form. One skilled practitioner of that art form is Jared Lipworth, head of HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, who was recently recognized for his accomplishments with The New York Academy of Sciences 2025 Communicating Science Award.

Lipworth was presented with the award at the Academy’s recent Spring Soirée, hosted at the University Club of New York. He was recognized for his career-long efforts to demystify science and help audiences understand and appreciate how it shapes the world.

“Tangled Bank Studios continues to lead impact beyond the screen with innovative outreach in education spaces to reach the next generation,” said Amy Entelis, Executive Vice President of Talent, CNN Originals, and Creative Development at CNN Worldwide, during the award ceremony at the Soirée. “We are living in a time of heightened scrutiny and antagonism towards science, and the work that [Jared does] to increase trust is important now more than ever.”

A Career in Science Communication

HHMI Tangled Bank Studios is a mission-driven impact studio dedicated to using the power of visual storytelling and innovative outreach to inspire curiosity about science and our natural world. It is part of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Recent films on critical science topics include Race for the Vaccine, Ending HIV in America, and The Battle to Beat Malaria. In his role as head of the studio, Lipworth oversees documentary production and distribution, as well as public engagement and educational outreach. He guides the studio’s mission, strategy, and editorial focus, using captivating content to make scientific discovery engaging and relatable for general audiences.

Jared Lipworth (center) visits with other attendees during the Academy’s Spring Soirée.

Previously, Lipworth headed up specials for National Geographic Studios, where he produced science films for worldwide audiences on topics ranging from paleontology and paleoanthropology to biology, ecology and natural history.

Prior to that he served as director of science programming for WNET, the New York PBS affiliate. There, he oversaw such projects as Naturally Obsessed: The Making of a Scientist, Innovation: Life Inspired, Big Ideas and the forensic history series Secrets of the Dead.

Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Lipworth holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Cornell University and a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from New York University. In addition to winning Emmy Awards for his work on The Mysterious Human Heart, DNA, and The Serengeti Rules, he won the AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Award for Wild Hope, and for The Human Sparkwith Alan Alda. (Alda was the first recipient of the Academy’s Communicating Science Award and has been featured on the Academy’s blog for his work in science communications.)

The Power of Storytelling

Jared Lipworth gives remarks while accepting the 2025 Communicating Science Award during the Academy’s Spring Soirée.

An accomplished science communicator with more than 250 film projects to his name, Lipworth was appreciative of the Academy’s formal recognition of his work advancing public appreciation of science.

“My sense of admiration, and intimidation, and curiosity has driven my career in science communication. I’ve always had an interest in science and a desire to understand it, even though I wasn’t an expert. And eventually a desire to make others, especially nonscientists, as curious and inspired as I am. I’ve found that the best way to do that is through the power of storytelling,” Lipworth said when accepting the award. “Not only does the science community need to continue doing great work, but you need to think of science communication as a critical component of the work you do. Engage with us as much as possible so that together, we can build a more scientifically literate and enthusiastic public.”

Janet Tobias Recognized for Advancing Science Comms

Janet Tobias, winner of an Emmy and Peabody Award, was one of four Honorees recently recognized by The New York Academy of Sciences (the Academy) for outstanding contributions to science.

Published May 5, 2025

By Nick Fetty

Janet Tobias

Tobias, well-respected by her colleagues for her curiosity, tenacity, and passion for educating audiences about science, was presented with the 2025 Communicating Science Award during the Academy’s recent Spring Soirée, hosted at the University Club of New York.

“[Janet is] driven by [her] mission of demystifying science to help audiences understand how it shapes the world,” said Amy Entelis, Executive Vice President of Talent, CNN Originals, and Creative Development at CNN Worldwide, during the award ceremony at the Soirée. “We are living in a time of heightened scrutiny and antagonism towards science, and the work that [Janet does] to increase trust is important now more than ever.”

Tobias’s production career started at CBS where she served as an associate producer for 60 Minutes. She then had stints at NBC, ABC, and PBS, before making her theatrical debut with the 2012 release of No Place on Earth. The documentary, which debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival, was called a “substantial contribution to Holocaust cinema” by Variety.

A Strong Journalistic Sense

With a strong journalistic sense of storytelling across a range of issues, much of her work has focused on medicine and health. Her 2017 documentary, Unseen Enemy, explored “the 21st-century threat of pandemics” prior to the outbreak of COVID-19. It went on to be broadcast on five continents in nine languages. She was nominated for Writers Guild Awards for her work on both Unseen Enemy and No Place on Earth.

Memory Games, released in 2018, “offers a thrilling insight into the lives of four athletes…as they compete for the title of World Memory Champion.” Her most recent work, Fauci, a National Geographic Documentary Film, profiled Anthony S. Fauci, MD, the world renowned infectious disease specialist. His work on everything from HIV/AIDS and SARS to Ebola and COVID-19 has saved millions of lives, though he and his family have still been subject to threats from often anonymous adversaries. The film was produced in collaboration with National Geographic and was nominated for three Critics Choice Awards.

An Entrepreneurial Streak and Commitment to Service

In addition to Tobias’s award-winning production work, she also has an effective streak as an entrepreneur. In 2000 she co-founded Sierra/Tango Productions, which has produced more than 20 documentaries. She founded Ikana Health & Media in 2004, where she “focuses on how health content, technology, and social networks affect health behavior.” Then in 2019, she co-founded the Global Health Reporting Center, a nonprofit “dedicated to covering the key health issues of our time.”

Janet Tobias gives remarks while accepting the 2025 Communicating Science Award during the Academy’s Spring Soirée.

She has previously served on advisory boards for the East Harlem Health Outreach Partnership (the student-run free clinic of Mount Sinai), Healthbuilders, Healthright International, and The National Juvenile Defenders Center. Hailing from Indiana, with a degree in comparative literature from Yale University, Tobias has also previously served in adjunct faculty roles with NYU’s School of Global Public Health and Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.

The Importance of Science Communication

With a slew of accolades to her name, Tobias was appreciative of the recognition at the Soirée, particularly as it demonstrated her role in supporting the Academy’s mission of advancing science for the public good.

“This award means a lot to me personally. I think my father would be proud. He was a research scientist and professor in organic chemistry who died of cancer at 49 years old,” Tobias said when accepting the award. “It wasn’t until I was way into adulthood that I truly fell in love with science. And now I see how wonderful it is.”

Tobias closed her remarks by stressing the importance of science communication quoting William Osler, MD, one of the founders of Johns Hopkins Hospital: “In science, credit doesn’t go to the person who had the idea first, credit goes to the person who convinces the world.”

The Academy Recognizes Yann LeCun for Advancing AI

Yann LeCun, VP and Chief AI Scientist at Meta, was one of three Honorees recently recognized by The New York Academy of Sciences (the Academy) for outstanding contributions to science.

Published May 1, 2025

By Nick Fetty

Yann LeCun (right) poses with his wife Isabelle during the Soirée.

Yann LeCun was recently recognized by The New York Academy of Sciences, for his pioneering work in machine learning, computer vision, mobile robotics, and computational neuroscience. He was presented with the Academy’s inaugural Trailblazer Award during the 2025 Spring Soirée, hosted at the University Club of New York.

“His work has been instrumental in setting the terms of how we think about the uses, implications, and impact of AI in all its forms,” said Nick Dirks, President and CEO of the Academy, while introducing LeCun during the Soirée. “Yann, we’re grateful that your view has carried the day and are inspired by the boldness of your vision. A vision that has shaped the evolution of this amazing and transformative technology.”

LeCun, a Turing Laureate, who also serves as the Jacob T. Schwartz Professor of Computer Science for the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University, has been called everything from a “pioneer” to a “godfather” within the field of AI. His connection with the Academy dates back several years when he and Manuela Veloso, Head of AI Research at J.P. Morgan, “agreed to serve as honorary chairs for the launch of a new initiative on applications of AI to critical sectors of the New York City economy.”

Tata Series on AI & Society

LeCun spoke during the first installment of the Tata Series on AI & Society at the Academy in March 2024. His talk covered everything from his early work in revitalizing and advancing neural networks to the need for open sourcing AI to the limitations he sees with large language models (LLMs). He believes that sensory, as opposed to language, inputs are more effective for building better AI systems, due in part to the brain’s ability to process these inputs faster.

Yann LeCun (center) visits with Hon. Jerry Hultin, immediate past chair of The New York Academy of Sciences Board of Governors, during the Soirée.

“To build truly intelligent systems, they’d need to understand the physical world, be able to reason, plan, remember, and retrieve. The architecture of future systems that will be capable of doing this will be very different from current large language models,” he explained.

LeCun was presented with an Honorary Life Membership to the Academy during the 2024 event.

A Frenchman with a Clever Sense of Humor and Passion for Jazz

Though a serious computer scientist (he received the prestigious ACM Turing Award in 2018), his wry sense of humor often comes through when he talks and on his personal website.

“French people are generally known for their utter contempt of every product of the American culture (“or lack thereof”, as my friend John Denker would say with a smile),” LeCun writes on the “Fun Stuff” section of his website. “But there are two notable exceptions to this attitude, two pure products of the American culture that the French have embraced wholeheartedly (and no, one of them is not Jerry Lewis): Jazz music, and Tex Avery cartoons.”

A fan of jazz music, LeCun considers John Coltrane’s Giant Steps and Miles Davis’s Kind of Blue among his favorite jazz albums of all time. LeCun is a musician himself and plays various woodwind instruments. He even builds his own that combine traditional wind instruments with electronic synthesizers. When he worked at Bell Labs in the 1990s, he played in an informal jazz band with some colleagues. The passion for jazz (and tech) runs in the blood of the LeCun family, as Yann’s brother Bertrand plays the bass (and works at Google in Paris).

From left: Peter Salovey, former president of Yale University and current chair of The New York Academy of Sciences Board of Governors; Yann LeCun, VP and Chief AI Scientist at Meta; and Nick Dirks, President and CEO of The New York Academy of Sciences.

“I have always been interested in jazz because I have always been intrigued by the intellectual challenge of improvising music in real time,” he writes on his website.

Humble in nature—on his website he lists himself as an ACM Turing Award Laureate, but in a parenthetical note next to it indicates “(sounds like I’m bragging, but a condition of accepting the award is to write this next to your name)” —he was nonetheless appreciative of this recent recognition and the broader power of science.

“I like jazz so I’m fond of improvising speeches,” LeCun said when he took to the stage to accept his award, adding that he didn’t use AI to write his speech. “I’ve become a public advocate of science and rationalism. It’s true that today there’s been a lot of attacks against universities, rationalism, science, and scientists. All are being vilified by our own government. We have to stand up for science.”

Recognizing the STEM Teacher and Mentor of the Year

Two women pose with their awards trophies.

This year’s award-winning teacher-mentor duo has been inspiring young minds and promoting STEM education for three years. They were recently honored by The New York Academy of Sciences for their work.

Published April 30, 2025

By Brooke Elliott

Megan C. Henriquez (left) and Brittany Beck pose with their awards during the Spring Soirée hosted at the University Club of New York on April 22, 2025.

The New York Academy of Sciences’ (the Academy’s) Scientist-in-Residence (SiR) program was proud to announce this year’s STEM Teacher of the Year: Brittany Beck, biology teacher at the High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology; and Mentor of the Year: Megan C. Henriquez, who just defended her PhD in biological anthropology at the CUNY Graduate Center in April and will graduate in June.

A Queens native, Henriquez’s interest in STEM began when she was a kid. She remembers coming home from school and watching wildlife documentaries. “Those shows made studying wildlife seem so exciting and foreign, and yet so out of reach for a city kid like me” she recalled. “But through a network of mentorship and opportunity, I ended up becoming a wildlife ecologist doing field work in some of the most remote parts of the world.”

Brittany Beck grew up in rural Missouri. She completed her undergraduate degree in biology and her master’s in science education at Truman State University in Missouri. She has been teaching biology in NYC public schools for 14 years, with 13 of those years at the High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology. Additionally, she serves as Coordinator of Student Activities, running the Student Government, managing over 30 clubs, and overseeing school events.

This is Beck’s fourth year as a teacher in the SiR program, working with scientists and building novel research projects with her students. Henriquez started working with the program about three years ago as a way to provide students with the same experiences and opportunities that inspired her interest in STEM in her youth.

Engaging Young Minds

Beck considers herself both a scientist and a teacher. Before joining the Scientist-in-Residence program, she was a national Evolution Education fellow in a program where she developed live organism research experiments for her classes alongside scientists at the University of Virginia and the Mountain Lake Biological Station. During that program, she developed a protocol in which students spend a year caring for mealworms, pupae, and darkling beetles in different treatments of Styrofoam to see how these treatments affect their growth and development. When the formal evolution education program ended, she continued this important work with students through the Academy’s SiR program.

Brittany Beck poses with Nick Dirks, President and CEO of The New York Academy of Sciences, during the Spring Soirée hosted at the University Club of New York on April 22, 2025.

What makes Beck and Henriquez such a good team? Trust in not just each other, but in their students. The pair has always let students pick and develop their projects, come up with their research questions, design their experiments, collect data, and decide how they organize and visualize on their own. At times, this may also mean allowing them to learn from mistakes.

The “ABC+M Pedagogical” Model

In terms of teaching technique, Beck often cites the “ABC+M” pedagogical model, which was developed by Rhonda Bondie and Akane Zusho. It requires that all lessons should include an opportunity for student Autonomy and choice. Teachers should build classroom environments where students know they Belong. They should provide opportunities for students to build their Competence, and that all lessons should be Meaningful to students. The work that Beck and Henriquez do with their students exemplifies this thinking.

Henriquez began her work as a mentor for the Academy as a way to pay back the early help and inspiration she received from mentors. Her first experience doing any sort of field work or experimentation was in her high school AP biology class, which makes it all the more meaningful that she gets to work with Beck’s Advanced Placement (AP) Biology class.

This made such a lasting impression that she ended up pursuing a career in biology. “If I could inspire at least one other student to pursue a career in STEM by providing them with the opportunity to see themselves as creative, serious, and legitimate researchers, I feel as though I would have done my part,” she said, adding she feels her work with students makes her own research both more meaningful and impactful.

“I think it’s one thing to read about the scientific method in a textbook, and it’s a completely enhanced experience to go through the process yourself. To develop your research questions, learn about your study system, try something out, revise and draw conclusions,” said Henriquez. “It works a part of your brain that so many people don’t get the opportunity to access.”

Inspiration

Megan C. Henriquez poses with Nick Dirks, President and CEO of The New York Academy of Sciences, during the Spring Soirée hosted at the University Club of New York on April 22, 2025.

Henriquez, who defended her PhD dissertation earlier in the month, feels the characteristics of a good mentor center around excitement and compassion. “No one is doing this for pay, so if you’re not going in excited about your work and what you’re going to share with your students, they’re going to sense that and not be excited either,” she said. She also loves providing interested students with additional opportunities. If a student is particularly interested in ecology fieldwork, she might find a program at the Bronx Zoo or the Junior Academy to keep the student engaged.

“Watching our SiR students make those connections and learn through experience has been one of the most rewarding parts of this program,” she continued, “Having students run up to us and say things like, ‘Look at what happened!’, ‘Look at how much our organisms have grown!’, ‘Our results are refuting or supporting our hypotheses!’ is just so exciting. Seeing them experience new things, overcome challenges, and grow confident in their skills and their problem-solving abilities has been amazing and so rewarding.”

Improvisation

Being able to improvise is another important skill for the mentor and teacher team. “A memory that sticks out is how, during Megan’s and my second year, we had collected water from a local pond and were unsure if we would be able to keep the microorganisms within the water alive. We not only kept them alive, but we also discovered a colony of snail eggs had hatched and grew and which our students then did microplastics experiments on,” Beck recalls.

“There hasn’t been one visit where we haven’t laughed together or enthusiastically yelled about the progress of a group’s experimental organisms. The sea monkeys, the pitcher plants, the butterflies, and especially the snails. We like to challenge ourselves as well as the students, and each year we add a level of complexity to the experimental process,” Beck added.

A snail students raised in 2023-2024, with green microplastics seen in the distance.

A Celebration of Hard Work

Beck feels the Scientist-in-Residence program has strengthened her students’ scientific identity, and graduates have told her they have notably more experience in lab skills than their peers in college, especially in designing laboratory protocols. “My students love it when Megan comes in, and they have a deep sense of ownership over their experimental ‘babies,’ whether they are plants, microorganisms, or bugs,” Beck said.

The duo were formally honored for their hard work during the Academy’s Spring Soirée which took place at the University Club of New York on April 22. When she heard she was named Mentor of the Year, Henriquez said she was in disbelief. From “early mornings jumping fences to get pond water to late nights setting up pitfall traps to catch bugs,” Henriquez feels good that her hard work is acknowledged.

Likewise, when Beck heard the news, she was at the National Science Teachers Association national conference in Philadelphia. “I whooped out loud in the busy exhibit hall and immediately called Megan, and we got to celebrate together,” she said with a laugh.

Learn more about the Academy’s Scientist- in-Residence program.

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