(Left to Right) Chemical Science Laureate Frank Leibfarth from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Len Blavatnik, Founder of Access Industries and the Blavatnik Family Foundation; Physical Sciences & Engineering Laureate Elaina J. Sutley from the University of Kansas; and Life Sciences Laureate Philip J. Kranzusch from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
The American Museum of Natural History provided a stunning backdrop for the 2025 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists ceremony, held on October 7, 2025 where exceptional early-career researchers were honored with the nation's largest unrestricted prize for young scientists. The event was hosted by the Blavatnik Family Foundation and The New York Academy of Sciences.
Among the distinguished ceremony guests were Alan Garber, PhD, President of Harvard University; George Daley, MD, PhD, Dean of Harvard Medical School; Maurie McInnis, PhD, President of Yale University; Nancy Brown, MD, Dean of Yale Medical School; Claire Shipman, Acting President of Columbia University; Walter Massey, PhD, Chairman of the Board overseeing construction of the Giant Magellan Telescope at Las Campanas Observatory; Robert Kyncl, CEO of Warner Music Group; Chandrika Tandon, Academy board member, business leader, philanthropist, and Grammy-winning musical artist; Peter Thorén, EVP of Access Industries and Academy board member; and Len Blavatnik, Founder of Access Industries and the Blavatnik Family Foundation.
Reflecting on the History of Science in the U.S.
Professor Subra Suresh, former Director of the National Science Foundation and the evening's presenter, opened the ceremony with both acknowledgment of current challenges and a message of hope for the scientific community. "Tonight is an evening of celebration," Suresh began, before addressing the difficulties facing science funding. "Given the challenges faced by the scientific community in this country at the moment, that might feel like a tall order. I genuinely believe, however, that we have reasons to be optimistic." Drawing parallels to history, Suresh reminded the audience that transformative scientific institutions have emerged from periods of crisis. He cited Abraham Lincoln, who founded the National Academy of Sciences during the Civil War, and American engineer, inventor, and science administrator Vannevar Bush, who inspired the creation of the National Science Foundation after World War II.
The Growing Impact of the Blavatnik Awards
Nicholas Dirks, President and CEO of The New York Academy of Sciences, highlighted the remarkable growth and impact of the awards program since its inception in 2007.
"Now in their nineteenth year, the Blavatnik Awards have distinguished themselves as one of the world's most prestigious international prizes in the scientific community, dedicated to advancing groundbreaking research and supporting exceptional talent," Dirks explained.
He emphasized the program's success: "Since its inception, the awards have recognized over 500 honorees from 120 research institutions.” Dirks also spoke about the Award’s impressive economic impact, noting that Blavatnik Scholars have founded over 50 companies, raised 2.4 billion dollars in capital, and secured over 7,300 patents worldwide.
2025 Blavatnik National Awards Laureates
The 2025 ceremony recognized three faculty-level National Laureates, each receiving $250,000 in unrestricted funds:
Frank Leibfarth (The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) in Chemical Sciences, for pioneering work in polymer chemistry and water purification. Leibfarth is the first Laureate from UNC-Chapel Hill and the first polymer chemist recognized as a Blavatnik Award Laureate.
Elaina J. Sutley (The University of Kansas) in Physical Sciences & Engineering, for groundbreaking research in disaster resilience and community recovery. Sutley is the first Laureate from the University of Kansas and the first civil engineer recognized as a Blavatnik Award Laureate.
Philip J. Kranzusch (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute) in Life Sciences, for revealing the ancient origins of human immunity.
Fifteen additional scientists were honored as National Finalists, each receiving $15,000.
Blavatnik Regional Awards
The 2025 ceremony recognized three postdoctoral level Regional Laureates from institutions in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, each receiving $30,000 in unrestricted funds.
Veena Padmanaban (nominated by The Rockefeller University) in Life Sciences, for discovering a molecular mechanism allowing sensory neurons to communicate with breast cancer cells to drive metastasis and uncovering novel actionable therapeutic targets.
Valentin Crépel (nominated by the Flatiron Institute) in Physical Sciences & Engineering, for advancing theories describing stacked, single-atom-thick materials, enabling easier control of their behaviors for applications in quantum technology and opening new avenues for developing materials useful in novel quantum computing platforms.
Xiao Xie (nominated by Princeton University) in Chemical Sciences for pioneering chemical biology tools to map protein phase separation and copper signaling, which uncover molecular mechanisms underlying cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Xie is a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of 2015 Blavatnik National Awards Laureate, Christopher Chang.
Six additional scientists were recognized as Regional Finalists, each receiving $10,000 in unrestricted funds.
Looking to the Future of Science
As the ceremony concluded with the traditional Toast to Science, Suresh's words for the honorees resonated with the honorees and the audience "In times of uncertainty about the future, it is even more important to focus on what excites you, what inspires you, and what it is that brought you into your current work and your field."
The 2026 nomination period for the Blavatnik National Awards and Blavatnik Regional Awards opened on October 8th, inviting universities and research institutions across the U.S. to nominate their most promising young scientists for next year's awards.
