Tomasz Nowakowski Named Finalist for Prestigious National STEM Award

By Courtney Strasenburgh on

Young man with short brown hair, glasses, and smiling stands against a blurry building background and adjacent to logos that read Blavatnik Family Foundation and The New York Academy of Sciences

Tomasz Nowakowski, PhD, an associate professor of neurological surgery and member of the UCSF Broad Stem Cell Center, has been named a finalist for the 2025 Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists, one of the highest honors for early-career scientists in the United States. The award celebrates groundbreaking contributions in three categories: Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, and Physical Sciences & Engineering.

Dr. Nowakowski was selected for his pioneering research in neuroscience, which maps how human brain cells grow and specialize during development. His work sheds light on the early formation of the brain and offers critical insights into the origins of neurological diseases.

“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized alongside such talented scientists. This nomination reflects the remarkable collaborative environment at UCSF and the importance of understanding brain development to address diseases that impact millions worldwide.”
Tomasz Nowakowski, PhD
Associate Professor, UCSF Departments of Neurological Surgery, Anatomy, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

The Blavatnik National Awards, presented by the Blavatnik Family Foundation and The New York Academy of Sciences, are the largest unrestricted science prizes for early-career scientists in the U.S. Three Laureates will be announced on October 7, 2025, at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, with each receiving $250,000 in prize money. The remaining 15 finalists will each receive $15,000.

The competition this year was strong, with 310 nominees from 161 research institutions across 42 states. An independent jury of expert scientists selected 18 finalists for their bold and innovative work that drives scientific discovery and addresses global challenges. The Blavatnik Awards have honored hundreds of scientists since their inception in 2014, fostering innovation across disciplines.

“The goal of the Blavatnik Awards is to recognize early-career scientists conducting bold and creative work, support their professional growth and development, and accelerate scientific discovery to improve lives and drive innovation,” said Len Blavatnik, Founder of Access Industries and Head of the Blavatnik Family Foundation.

Congratulations to Nowakowski on being named a finalist for the prestigious Blavatnik National Award for Young Scientists. This recognition highlights the profound impact of his groundbreaking research in shaping the future of neuroscience and medicine.

To learn more about the awards, see also: Finalists Announced for the Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists
To learn more about Nowkowski’s research, see also: