Local researcher wins the Nobel Prize in Medicine
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
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| Mary Brunkow, Nobel prize winner Photo courtesy UW |
UW alum Mary Brunkow, ’83, won the Nobel Prize in Medicine this morning.This photo was taken while she was on the phone with the Nobel Committee in Sweden. Mary said she initially missed the call because a strange number popped up on her phone — she thought it might be spam
Mary graduated from the UW with a bachelor’s degree in Molecular & Cellular Biology and currently works at the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle
She shares the award with Fred Ramsdell & Shimon Sakaguchi for their discoveries on how the human immune system fights disease without mistakenly attacking the body’s own cells. Their research is helping scientists develop new therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases.
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1 comments:
Congratulations to Mary, Fred, and Shimon for receiving the 2025 Nobel Prize in Medicine. This achievement shines a spotlight on the Pacific Northwest’s leadership in biotechnology and medical innovation. PNW's legacy of scientific excellence is rooted in visionary collaboration.
It began in 1991 when Bill Gates recruited Dr. Leroy Hood from CalTech to the University of Washington. This helped establish one of the first programs in Molecular Biotechnology, and in turn, inspired and attracted numerous researchers who transformed Seattle and the Greater Puget Sound into a global biotech hub. Dr. David Baker is another biotech Nobel Prize winner from the area.
I’m hopeful we can build a biotech economy local to Shoreline with the help of Shoreline College, Bothell’s Canyon Park, and the light rail! - Jack
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