Ogawa-Yamanaka Stem Cell Prize Reception
Join notable scientists and industry leaders at a cocktail reception and short ceremony to honor Rudolf Jaenisch, MD, the recipient of the 2025 Ogawa-Yamanaka Stem Cell Prize. Jaenisch is recognized for his trailblazing contributions to epigenetics and stem cell biology. His pivotal discoveries have profoundly advanced our understanding of gene regulation, cellular reprogramming, and the potential of regenerative medicine.
Gladstone President Deepak Srivastava, MD, and Gladstone Senior Investigator and Nobel laureate Shinya Yamanaka, MD, PhD, will present Jaenisch with the prize for his groundbreaking contributions to stem cell science.
About Rudolf Jaenisch
Rudolf Jaenisch, MD, is a founding member of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and a professor of biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a pioneer of transgenic science, in which an animal’s genetic makeup is altered.
Jaenisch received his MD from the University of Munich in 1967 and carried out postdoctoral research at Princeton University, Fox Chase Institute for Cancer Research, and the Salk Institute. Before joining Whitehead in 1982, he was head of the Department of Tumor Virology at the Heinrich Pette Institute at the University of Hamburg.
His current research focuses on the epigenetic regulation of gene expression, which has led to major advances in creating embryonic stem cells and iPS cells, as well as their therapeutic applications. His lab also focuses on the epigenetic mechanisms involved in cancer and brain development, as well as coronavirus biology.
Jaenisch has co-authored more than 500 research papers and received various awards during his career, including the Max Delbrück Medal, the Vilcek Prize, the National Medal of Science, the Wolf Prize in Medicine, and the Otto Warburg Medal. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and an elected member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. He also was president of the International Society for Stem Cell Research in 2014–15.
The Ogawa-Yamanaka Stem Cell Prize recognizes individuals whose original translational research has advanced cellular reprogramming technology for regenerative medicine. The prize was established in 2015 through a generous gift from the Betty and Hiro Ogawa family. It also recognizes the importance of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), discovered by Gladstone Senior Investigator and Nobel laureate Shinya Yamanaka. Chosen by a committee of peers, the awardee receives an unrestricted prize of $150,000 USD. The prize is supported by Gladstone and Cell Press.
Details
Dates
December 1, 2025Time
5:30-7:30pm PSTLocation
The Royal Towers, 1750 Taylor Street, San Francisco, CA
Contact(s)
Getting There
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
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