We are delighted to congratuate Professor Karl Deisseroth, D. H. Chen Professor of Bioengineering and of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University, on being awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, a remarkable recognition of a lifetime dedicatd to advancing our understanding of the human brain. 

Since 2012, The D. H. Chen Foundation has been honoured to support Professor Deisseroth’s pioneering work through the D. H. Chen Professorship at Stanford University. As a psychiatrist, neuroscientist and innovator, Professor Deisseroth has transformed the field of neuroscience through groundbreaking technologies such as optogenetics and CLARITY, opening new pathways for understanding how the brain works and advancing research into neurological and psychiatric disorders.

When the Foundation established the endowed professorship, we were inspired by a shared belief in the importance of supporting bold, high-impact research that pushes the boundaries of knowledge. Over the years, Professor Deisseroth’s work has exemplified how curiosity, innovation and perseverance can lead to discoveries that benefit people around the world.

We are proud to have been part of this journey and to witness Professor Deisseroth’s pioneering work recognised at the highest level. We also warmly congratulate Peter Hegemann of Humboldt University of Berlin and Georg Nagel of the University of Würzburg, who share this year’s Nobel Prize, as well as Professor Deisseroth’s colleagues at Stanford University and the many collaborators whose dedication, partnership and contributions have made this achievement possible.

This recognition is a powerful reminder that investing in human potential and pioneering ideas can create lasting impact for generations to come, and is a foundation towards a more compassionate society. We believe that science and compassion are deeply connected, both driven by a desire to better understand ourselves and one another.

We celebrate Professor Deisseroth’s achievement and the possibilities it opens for the future. His work reminds us that expanding the frontiers of knowledge is not only a scientific pursuit, but also a profoundly human one. By deepening our understanding of the human mind, discoveries such as these bring us closer to a world where knowledge, empathy and compassion come together to enrich lives, foster greater wellbeing and connection, and strengthen our shared humanity.

More details:
D. H. Chen Professorship
Professor Deisseroth winning Nobel Prize