Dr. Lee Hood Receives Inaugural Michael Sela Prize from Weizmann Institute of Science
ISB Co-founder Dr. Leroy (Lee) Hood has been named one of the inaugural recipients of the Michael Sela Prize in Biomedical Sciences, awarded by the Weizmann Institute of Science. Hood shares the honor with Dr. Francis S. Collins and Dr. Eric S. Lander for pioneering work that has reshaped modern medicine and advanced human health.
The Weizmann Institute of Science has awarded the inaugural Michael Sela Prize in Biomedical Sciences to three groundbreaking scientists: Leroy (Lee) Hood, Francis S. Collins, and Eric S. Lander. The new international prize recognizes transformative discoveries that redefine the boundaries of biomedical knowledge and improve human health.
“I am deeply honored to receive the inaugural Michael Sela Prize together with Francis Collins and Eric Lander, both towering pioneers in the Human Genome Project. Michael Sela, with whom I interacted regularly on my visits to Israel, was a true pioneer whose work advanced both science and humanity. I feel privileged to be recognized in his name,” Hood said. “This award is also a testament to the many brilliant colleagues and collaborators I have had the privilege to work with over the past 50 years. Science is always a team effort, and I am grateful to be part of a community dedicated to transforming human health through discovery and innovation.”
Hood, co-founder of the Institute for Systems Biology (ISB), is a pioneering biologist and biotech innovator whose contributions have transformed biomedical research. He played a leading role in the development of automated DNA sequencers and synthesizers – technologies that enabled the Human Genome Project – and uncovered fundamental principles of antibody diversity.
Over the course of his career, Hood has co-founded more than a dozen biotech companies, including Amgen, Applied Biosystems, and Arivale. He is one of a handful of scientists elected to all three U.S. National Academies: Science, Engineering, and Medicine.
“Lee Hood’s vision and innovations continue to shape the future of biomedicine,” said Dr. Jim Heath. “This recognition from the Weizmann Institute affirms the global impact of his work.”
The Michael Sela Prize was established in 2025 to honor the legacy of Prof. Michael Sela (1924–2022), a trailblazing immunologist and the sixth president of the Weizmann Institute. Supported by the Kadar Foundation, the $360,000 annual award is shared among up to three laureates and presented at the Michael Sela Symposium on Biomedical Sciences. The next ceremony is scheduled for May 12, 2026.
“We hope that this prize will promote engagement in biomedical sciences by future generations and serve as an inspiration to others,” said Weizmann Institute President Professor Alon Chen. “It is open to researchers worldwide, underscoring the Weizmann Institute’s commitment to scientific excellence without borders and to fostering a global community of inquiry, discovery and progress.”
Hood co-founded ISB in 2000 and served as its president until 2017. He is currently a professor at ISB and the CEO of Phenome Health, a nonprofit advancing personalized, preventive medicine. He also serves as Professor and Chief Innovation Officer at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. His previous honors include the Lasker Award (1987), Kyoto Prize (2002), and the National Medal of Science (2011).
