Dr. Mary Brunkow
Wins Nobel Prize
ISB’s Dr. Mary Brunkow, along with Drs. Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi, has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for transformative discoveries in immune tolerance. The entire ISB community celebrates this milestone for science and human health.
Dr. Mary Brunkow receiving her Nobel Prize from His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden on Wednesday, Dec 10, 2025. © 2025 Nobel Prize Outreach. Photo: Clément Morin.
From left to right, Nobel laureates Linda Buck, Mary Brunkow, and Fred Ramsdell, phtographed on June 10, 2026, at the Evening of Laurels event celebrating Dr. Brunkow. (Photo by James Cheng for ISB)
Celebrating the Future
of Women in Science
More than 160 civic leaders, scientists, philanthropists, and educators gathered in Seattle to honor a Nobel Prize achievement, launch the Mary E. Brunkow Fund, and highlight the importance of mentorship, STEM education, and scientific opportunity.
Official illustration depicting Drs. Mary Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi, winners of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. (Illustration by Niklas Elmehed for The Nobel Prize)
The Science Behind
the Nobel Prize
The pioneering work of Mary Brunkow and Fred Ramsdell began with a mysterious mutant mouse known as “scurfy,” leading them to identify the FOXP3 gene and unlock how regulatory T cells prevent autoimmune disease – discoveries that now point to new treatments in cancer and autoimmunity.
Multimedia
The Future of Women in Science
Mary Brunkow joined Katie Hafner for a special conversation exploring women’s contributions to science, the importance of mentorship, and opportunity, and the pathways that inspire future generations of researchers and scientific leaders.
Leaders Honor Mary Brunkow
U.S. Senator Patty Murray, U.S. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson, and esteemed medical professionals and longtime colleagues pay tribute to Mary Brunkow.
Nobel Prize Press Conference
ISB hosted a press conference on October 7, 2025, where Dr. Mary Brunkow described the work that led to her 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, how she learned of the life-changing achievement, and more.
Get to Know Dr. Mary Brunkow
Dr. Mary Brunkow is a Distinguished Investigator at ISB. Earlier in her career at Darwin Molecular, she helped uncover the genetic basis of regulatory T cells (FOXP3), work that ultimately earned her the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
Brunkow brings that same rigor to multidisciplinary projects that make complex science accessible and impactful. She’s a Seattle-area scientist with roots at UW and Princeton, and a champion for collaboration across genetics, computation, and human health.
How the World Covered Brunkow
A curated roundup of reporting and interviews explaining why FOXP3 became a cornerstone of modern immunology – featuring clear explainers, clinician perspectives, and accessible conversations that connect lab discovery to patient impact.
Coverage of Dr. Brunkow’s Nobel spanned marquee publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, The Seattle Times, and many other leading newsrooms.
Dr. Mary Brunkow is interviewed by KOMO News on October 8, 2025, at ISB. (Photo courtesy ISB)
Media Requests
Would you like to set up an interview with Dr. Mary Brunkow?
Members of the media can submit a request via the button below. Please be sure to include relevant information – your news organization, your name, and deadline – and indicate whether the interview request is for a studio appearance, a Zoom/virtual call, or for a radio program or podcast.
ISB’s Communications will work with Dr. Brunkow and accommodate as many requests as possible.