Immunology Leader Dr. Erica Ollmann Saphire Receives 2025 San Diego Genius Award

Dr. Erica Ollmann Saphire, President and CEO of La Jolla Institute for Immunology, has been named the 2025 San Diego Genius Award honoree by Mainly Mozart, a nonprofit organization known for its contributions to the arts and education. The award recognizes individuals whose work spans science, technology, and the arts, with the presentation scheduled for October 18, 2025, at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. This honor underscores the growing importance of interdisciplinary approaches in addressing complex global challenges, particularly in the realm of public health and medical research.

Dr. Saphire's research has been fundamental in understanding how viruses such as Ebola, Marburg, Lassa, and SARS-CoV-2 infect human cells and evade immune defenses. Her leadership has enabled high-resolution structural analysis of viral glycoproteins, which has directly informed global vaccine design efforts. This work has facilitated international collaborations aimed at developing life-saving immunotherapies, bridging the gap between scientific discovery and practical medical applications. Her involvement in initiatives like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation-supported CoVIC and the NIAID Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Immunotherapeutic Consortium has been instrumental in advancing these efforts, demonstrating the real-world impact of her research on pandemic preparedness and response.

Beyond her viral studies, Dr. Saphire has launched an innovative initiative to explore sex-based differences in the immune system, addressing a significant gap in medical research that has historically overlooked how biological sex influences immune responses. This work is crucial for developing more effective and personalized treatments, as it challenges one-size-fits-all approaches in immunology and therapeutics. Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the Presidential Early Career Award in Science and Engineering and the California Life Sciences Pantheon Award for Academia, reflecting her standing as a leader in the field.

The Genius Awards Dinner not only celebrates Dr. Saphire's achievements but also supports Mainly Mozart's artistic and educational programs, such as the Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra and its partnership with Art of Autism. Tickets for the event are available at https://mainlymozart.org/genius, providing the community an opportunity to honor a leader whose work transcends disciplines to make a lasting impact on global health. This recognition highlights the vital role of scientists like Dr. Saphire in fostering collaborations that extend beyond traditional boundaries, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more resilient society through integrated efforts in science and the arts.