Foundation Awards 2026 Richard A. Smith Prize to Philip Kranzusch

November 5, 2026

We are pleased to announce that the Foundation awarded the 2026 Richard A. Smith Excellence in Biomedical Research Alumni Prize to Philip Kranzusch, PhD of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School for his groundbreaking discoveries about the origins of human innate immunity and the molecular mechanisms by which cells recognize and defend against infection and cancer.

Dr. Kranzusch’s research has revealed that key components of the human immune system evolved from ancient defense mechanisms in bacteria. His discoveries have transformed our understanding of how immune responses are activated and offer new avenues for developing treatments for infectious diseases, cancer, and autoimmune disorders.

The $250,000 Prize is awarded every two years to recognize and celebrate a former Smith Family Excellence Awardee who demonstrates outstanding potential to advance our ability to improve human health, either directly or through foundational discoveries. The Prize is an investment in the recipient’s curiosity, originality, courage, and scientific rigor, intended to empower recipients to take rational risks and pursue bold scientific advances.

Dr. Kranzusch, a 2016 Excellence Awardee, received the Prize at the Foundation’s November 5, 2026 celebration, which brought together members of the Excellence and Odyssey scientific communities. The Smith Family Awards Program for Excellence in Biomedical Research was founded by the late Richard Smith and his wife, Susan, to support newly independent biomedical researchers at a critical stage in their careers. The program continues to advance their commitment to fostering scientific discovery and supporting the next generation of biomedical research leaders.