UCSD - University of California - San Diego

05/21/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/21/2026 10:12

Nobel Laureate and UC San Diego Alum to Discuss the Future of American Science at Public Forum

Published Date

May 21, 2026

Article Content

Immunologists have long known about Fred Ramsdell's game-changing contributions to scientific understanding of the immune system and potential cures for autoimmune diseases. But until last fall, his name remained firmly under the public's radar.

That drastically changed in October when he was thrust into the global spotlight as a 2025 winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Along with Mary Brunkow and Shimon Sakaguchi, Ramsdell, a 1983 UC San Diego graduate in biochemistry and cell biology, was recognized for his contributions identifying the Foxp3 gene and its essential role in preventing autoimmune diseases.

And while he's thrilled to discuss his Nobel Prize-winning research, its potential in curing disease and his distinguished career in the biotechnology industry, Ramsdell has other things he'd like to discuss as well.

As 2026 All-Campus Commencement keynote speaker, he's enthusaistic about addressing UC San Diego's new graduates and their role as the next generation of global leaders.

Ramsdell is also passionate about using his new international fame, and the speaking invitations that now come from around the world, to address the state of American science and innovation. On June 11, Ramsdell will join School of Biological Sciences Dean Kit Pogliano for a discussion on the nation's scientific enterprise and its foundation that, for decades, has delivered bold breakthroughs and transformed lives through research and innovation. The discussion will address the need to strengthen public confidence in science and reinvest in cutting-edge research to improve public health and save lives.

The event, free and open to the public (registration required), is part of the School of Biological Sciences' Deep Look public speaker series, held in partnership with UCTV.

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EVENT DETAILS

Hosted by Kit Pogliano, Dean of UC San Diego's School of Biological Sciences

5 p.m., June 11, 2026

Great Hall, UC San Diego

Free, open to the public

Register here to attend in-person or access livestreaming

UCSD - University of California - San Diego published this content on May 21, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 21, 2026 at 16:12 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]