THANK YOU FOR JOINING
THE INSTITUTE FOR SYSTEMS BIOLOGY FOR
A CELEBRATION OF 2025 NOBEL LAUREATE DR. MARY BRUNKOW
The Evening's program
The event honored the achievements of Dr. Mary Brunkow, 2025 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, who has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of the immune system. Working with fellow laureates Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi, her discovery of the FOXP3 gene provided the genetic blueprint for regulatory T cells (Tregs).
This work continues to inspire revolutionary treatments for chronic inflammatory diseases, cancer, and organ transplantation. Today, she serves as a Distinguished Investigator at the Institute for Systems Biology.
The evening featured a special conversation between Dr. Brunkow and Katie Hafner, author, journalist, and co-founder and host of Lost Women of Science, a narrative podcast that illuminates the lives of remarkable female scientists whose stories have been lost to history.
Together, Hafner and Dr. Brunkow explored women’s leadership in science, alternative pathways to STEM, and the vital importance of inspiring and supporting the next generation of scientists.
To bring these themes to life, they were later joined on stage by ISB researcher Crystal Perez and Harvard undergrad (and former ISB intern) Layla Ismail, who shared their transformative academic journeys, celebrated the profound impact of mentorship, and offered empowering advice to youth looking to find their own place in STEM.
Past Event Details
Relive the evening.
An Evening of Laurels was a tremendous success.
Thank you to all who attended.
Click below to view the photo gallery from the night.
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Honor a Legacy. Fuel the Future.
Make a gift to the Mary E. Brunkow Fund at ISB and champion women in STEM at every stage of their journey — from curious students to groundbreaking Nobel laureates. Together, we can empower discovery and help brilliant minds thrive.
Event Platinum Sponsor
We are deeply grateful to the sponsors who made this event possible. To learn about future sponsorship opportunities, please contact our team.