Honors and Awards

Mary Brunkow, a Seattle scientist who earned a bachelors degree in molecular and cellular biology from the UW, was awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine on Monday. Her work, alongside two other scientists, led to a new branch of immunology research that has already led to new developments in treatment for cancers and autoimmune diseases.

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to three scientists on Monday for their research on the human immune system, including Mary E. Brunkow, who earned bachelors degree in molecular and cellular biology from the UW.

Mary Brunkow of the Seattle-based Institute for Systems Biology was awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her research on the immune cells that prevent the human body from attacking itself. Brunkow earned a bachelors degree in molecular and cellular biology from the UW.

Three scientists including Mary E. Brunkow, who earned bachelors degree in molecular and cellular biology from the UW won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine Monday for discoveries about how the immune system knows to attack germs and not our own bodies.

UW physics professor Jiun-Haw Chu is among 22 scientists selected for as 2025 Experimental Physics Investigators, a distinguished group of mid-career researchers pushing the boundaries of experimental physics.

Political Science professor Aseem Prakash received the 2025 John Gaus Award from the American Political Science Association in recognition of a lifetime of exemplary scholarship.

According to a citation from the award committee, Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW, has had an outstanding career devoted to exemplary scholarship in the joint tradition of political science and public administration.

Dr. Kroll joined the UW Chemistry faculty in September 2024. With his first year as a Husky in the books, we took the opportunity to get to know him.

Derek Sheffield, ’90, ’99, a poet and English teacher, was appointed Washington State’s Poet Laureate in April by Governor Bob Ferguson. A passionate naturalist known for co-editing the best-selling "Cascadia Field Guide: Art, Ecology, Poetry" with Elizabeth Bradfield, ’94, and CMarie Fuhrman, Sheffield is “always packing” binoculars and hand lens and birds by ear—often in the woods near his home in Leavenworth. He has butterflied alongside Robert Michael Pyle, ’69, ’73, the lepidopterist, and once exchanged letters with Pulitzer-winning biologist E.O. Wilson.

Derek Sheffield, ’90, ’99, a poet and English teacher, was appointed Washington State’s Poet Laureate in April by Governor Bob Ferguson. A passionate naturalist known for co-editing the best-selling “Cascadia Field Guide: Art, Ecology, Poetry” with Elizabeth Bradfield, ’94, and CMarie Fuhrman, Sheffield is “always packing” binoculars and hand lens and birds by ear—often in the woods near his home in Leavenworth. He has butterflied alongside Robert Michael Pyle, ’69, ’73, the lepidopterist, and once exchanged letters with Pulitzer-winning biologist E.O. Wilson.

Lisa K. Bambach’s path to becoming a design educator has been shaped by over a decade of professional experience, a deep commitment to collaborative inquiry, and a passion for shaping the future of design.

Arts & Science faculty and staff were among the recipients of 2025 UW Awards of Excellence for their teaching, leadership, and innovation. 

Each of the College's 2025 medalists received a special gift — a glass bowl, handblown in the UW School of Art + Art History + Design.

Recent awards celebrate Arts & Sciences faculty, staff, and students for their research, leadership, and more. 

Meet the four graduating students selected by the College of Arts & Sciences as 2025 Graduate Medalists for their accomplishments.