UW Biology

Congratulations to UW Biology alum Mary Brunkow ('83) on winning the Nobel Prize in Medicine!

-- University of Washington 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. Congratulations to Mary on this huge achievement! 🎉

She shares the award with Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi for their groundbreaking 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 such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, and may also reduce complications from organ transplants.https://www.washington.edu/boundless/uw-alum-awarded-nobel-prize-in-medicine/

Photography by AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

Our friends at the UW School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences are hosting their open house on Saturday, May 17th as well! Come visit us at the Life Sciences Building and then take a short walk over to the Fisheries Building for a day full of fun science!

🐡 Ready to dive in to ? Join us on Sat May 17 for a fun-filled day with live science brought to you by the University of Washington!

🐋 From the largest whales to the tiniest organisms, we're demonstrating what it's like to be an aquatic scientist for the day!

↪️ https://fish.uw.edu/aquatic-sciences-open-house

We are hosting a day of science and invite you to join us!

Families and science enthusiasts of all ages are welcome. The UW Department of Biology is a large, collaborative, and integrative department – meaning our research and teaching spans from cellular and molecular biology to global climate change to paleontology to plant biology. Our department is among the largest undergraduate degree programs at the UW and is a vital STEM pipeline for the state of Washington. Come learn about the exciting things our department is doing from experts in their fields! Our UW Biology Greenhouse will also be open for visitors!

UW Life Sciences Building
Saturday, May 17, 2025
10 AM to 2 PM

For more information, visit this link: https://tinyurl.com/UWBioOpenHouse2025

is going strong!

We are 6 gifts away from unlocking a $1000 challenge gift from a generous donor. We invite you to join us by making a gift to support UW Biology! Your gift – large or small – makes a difference.

https://bit.ly/372qbmi

Antibiotic used on food crops affects bumblebee behavior Scientists at the University of Washington and Emory University report that an antibiotic sprayed on orchard crops to combat bacterial diseases slows the cognition of bumblebees and reduces their...

Tiny battery-free devices float in the wind like dandelion seeds Inspired by how dandelions use the wind to distribute their seeds, a University of Washington team has developed a tiny sensor-carrying device that can be blown by the wind as it tumbles toward the...