2024 Michelson Philanthropies & Science Prize for Immunology Awarded for Groundbreaking Research on STING’s Role in Immune Response
Dr. Bingxu Liu’s Award-Winning Research Unveils Stimulator of Interferon Genes as Pivotal Immune Sensor Channel
Michelson Philanthropies & Science Prize Recipients
About the Prize
The Michelson Philanthropies & Science Prize for Immunology focused on transformative research in human immunology with trans-disease applications that advanced vaccine and immunotherapeutic discovery. This international prize supported early-career investigators from a wide range of disciplines—including computer science, artificial intelligence and machine learning, protein engineering, nanotechnology, genomics, parasitology and tropical medicine, neurodegenerative disease, and gene editing—who applied their expertise to research with lasting impact.
Awarded annually to one young scientist based on work conducted in the previous three years, the prize included a $30,000 award and publication of the recipient’s essay in Science. The essay, along with those of the finalists, was published in Science Online. Finalists each received a $10,000 award.
This prize is no longer offered following the conclusion of the partnership with Science/AAAS.
Questions/Inquiries: media@michelsonphilanthropies.org
“When we empower brilliant minds and invest in bold, creative research, it is with the belief that a single breakthrough discovery could improve the lives of billions.”
Dr. Gary Michelson, Founder and Co-Chair Michelson Philanthropies and Michelson Medical Research, established the Michelson Philanthropies & Science Magazine Prize for Immunology to support early-career researchers who perform transformative research in human immunology with trans-disease applications to accelerate vaccine and immunotherapy discovery.
“The thought that my research could have a real-life impact on how diseases are treated, and that I may be able to see this in my lifetime, is a strong motivation.”
—Dr. Joshua Tan, Michelson Philanthropies & Science Prize 2023 Finalist
Precision Immunotherapy – A Mechanistic Approach to Overcoming Treatment Resistance
Michelson Philanthropies & Science Grand Prize Winner (2023) Dr. Aleksandar Obradovic of the Department of Systems Biology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center was awarded for his outstanding essay “Precision Immunotherapy – A Mechanistic Approach to Overcoming Treatment Resistance.” He received his M.D. in 2023.
Dr. Obradovic’s approach delivers a tailored combination of drugs to treatment-resistant cancer patients, with the potential to significantly improve immunotherapy efficacy.
“Receiving this award is a great honor that recognizes my team’s collaborative work and vision. The award also recognizes a way of doing science that is fundamentally multidisciplinary, open and that enables thinking ‘out of the box’ – and so it greatly encourages me to carry on in this vein.”
— Dr. Roser Vento-Tormo, Michelson Philanthropies & Science Grand Prize 2023 Finalist
