Lucy Shapiro receives the 2025 Lasker-Koshland Special Achievement Award

Lucy Shapiro Receives the 2025 Lasker-Koshland Special Achievement Award

Emeritus professor Lucy Shapiro is the 18th recipient of the Lasker-Koshland Special Achievement Award, often regarded as the American Nobel Prize in Medical Science.

“Basic, curiosity-driven research is the crucible for all discoveries that lead to medical advances. That is what is needed to keep the country and the world healthy.” — Lucy Shapiro

Shapiro received the award in September 2025. At Stanford University, she holds the title of Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Professor Emerita of Cancer Research and serves as the Director of the Beckman Center for Molecular and Genetic Medicine.

She is widely recognized for her pioneering role in the development of systems biology. Shapiro was the first woman to chair three different university departments, advised two presidential administrations, led Stanford’s developmental biology program, and mentored numerous scientists throughout her career.

Early Life and Education

Born and raised in New York City, Shapiro and her family chose the High School of Music and Art (now Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts) for her secondary education. She described this experience as life-changing, exposing her to diverse cultures and backgrounds.

“It opened my eyes to a world where people were from all walks of life.” — Lucy Shapiro

Although she had aspirations to study away from home, financial limitations led her to enroll in an experimental honors program at Brooklyn College, where she majored in Fine Arts.

Author's summary: Lucy Shapiro's distinguished career combines groundbreaking scientific contributions with leadership and mentorship, underscoring the vital role of curiosity-driven research in advancing medicine.

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The Stanford Daily The Stanford Daily — 2025-11-05

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