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UC San Diego Alumnus Wins Nobel Prize For Contributions To Medicine

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 16:29 GMT by Patch
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UC San Diego alumnus honored with Nobel Prize for pioneering contributions to medicine

The world of biomedical science has a new star on its horizon, and the bright‑sun state of California could claim an almost unprecedented honor. A proud graduate of the University of California, San Diego (UC SD), Dr. William H. Hsu, 42, has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his groundbreaking discovery of the “T‑cell regulatory checkpoint” that lies at the heart of the body’s immune response. His work has already led to a family of drugs that can treat a range of autoimmune diseases, from rheumatoid arthritis to multiple sclerosis, and has opened a new frontier in personalized immunotherapy for cancer.

The announcement, made on October 12 by the Nobel Committee in Stockholm, came as a surprise to many—both in the scientific community and at UC SD. It was the first time a UC SD alumnus had ever been recognized by the Nobel Prize in any discipline, and the university celebrated the honor with a special ceremony in the student union courtyard. “It’s a moment of pride for all of us,” said Dr. Karen M. Liu, dean of the Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. “Dr. Hsu’s journey from a curious student in the biology program to a world‑changing researcher is an inspiration for the next generation of scientists.”

A lifelong passion for science

Dr. Hsu earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2004 and his PhD in Immunology in 2009, both from UC SD. During his doctoral studies, he worked under the guidance of Dr. Sandra G. Park, a pioneer in T‑cell signaling, and focused on the mechanisms by which immune checkpoints regulate the activation of T‑cells. “I was fascinated by the way the immune system could be both a friend and a foe,” he recalled. “I wanted to understand how to tip the balance safely.” His dissertation, entitled Regulation of T‑Cell Activation by the CTLA‑4 Receptor, was awarded the UC SD Faculty Award for Outstanding Dissertation.

After completing his PhD, Dr. Hsu remained on the UC SD faculty, joining the Department of Medicine’s Institute for Immunology as an assistant professor in 2009. He quickly established a state‑of‑the‑art laboratory, funded by a generous NIH grant that allowed him to investigate the molecular underpinnings of checkpoint inhibition. By 2014, his team had identified a previously unknown co‑receptor—named “CDX-1”—that modulates the activity of CTLA‑4 and PD‑1, two of the most important checkpoint proteins known to date. Their findings, published in Science and Nature Medicine, sparked a wave of research that culminated in the development of a novel class of therapeutic antibodies.

From bench to bedside

The practical implications of Dr. Hsu’s discovery were immediately apparent. The team’s CDX‑1‑targeting antibodies were found to “prime” T‑cells in a way that preserved their ability to attack cancer cells while limiting the autoimmune side effects that have plagued previous checkpoint inhibitors. Clinical trials with the lead antibody, CDX‑1‑Ab, showed a 35 % improvement in patient outcomes for those with metastatic melanoma—significantly better than current treatments. “This is a new paradigm,” said Dr. Hsu. “It’s not just about blocking a checkpoint; it’s about fine‑tuning the immune system.” The results were so transformative that they earned Dr. Hsu the 2020 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, a year before the Nobel.

In addition to his work on checkpoint inhibition, Dr. Hsu’s lab has pursued several other projects, including the engineering of “engineered T‑cells” that carry synthetic CDX‑1 constructs, allowing for precise control over immune activation. The FDA approved the first CDX‑1‑based therapy, Immunexa, in early 2025, and it has since been prescribed to thousands of patients worldwide.

The Nobel citation and its significance

The Nobel Committee’s official citation reads: “For the discovery of a novel immune checkpoint regulator that enables precise control of T‑cell activation and has led to the development of therapeutic agents that transform treatment for autoimmune diseases and cancer.” The Committee highlighted the impact of the discovery on both basic science and clinical practice, noting that it had “redefined the strategy for manipulating the immune system in a safe and effective manner.” The prize also comes with a monetary award of 10 million Swedish kronor (≈ US 1.1 million), which Dr. Hsu plans to use to expand his lab and to create a fellowship program for UC SD graduate students.

The award also sparked a wave of media attention. A full feature on Dr. Hsu’s research appeared in Nature, and his lab was recently profiled on the UC SD News site under the headline “From campus to Stockholm: UC SD immunologist wins Nobel.” The university’s alumni association issued a heartfelt congratulatory letter to Dr. Hsu, emphasizing the institution’s commitment to fostering world‑class research.

What this means for UC SD

“Dr. Hsu’s Nobel Prize is a testament to UC SD’s mission of integrating rigorous scientific training with real‑world impact,” said Professor Richard C. Torres, chair of the UC SD Alumni Association. “We are delighted to have a graduate whose work exemplifies the ideals of both the university and the Nobel Foundation.” The institution has also announced plans to name a new research endowment in Dr. Hsu’s honor, aimed at supporting early‑career scientists working on immune‑regulatory pathways.

While Dr. Hsu’s research has already led to tangible medical benefits, the Nobel Committee’s award has also underscored a broader shift in how the Nobel Prize is awarded. In recent years, there has been an increased focus on discoveries that bridge the gap between basic science and clinical application. Dr. Hsu’s work sits squarely at this intersection, offering both a fundamental insight into immune biology and a concrete therapeutic strategy.

For more information

• Nobel Prize announcement: The full Nobel Prize press release, including the committee’s citation and the Nobel lecture by Dr. Hsu, can be found on the Nobel Prize website under the Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, and Medicine section.
• UC SD News Release: The university’s official news release, “UC SD Alumni Wins Nobel Prize in Medicine”, is archived on the Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences website.
• Research profile: A detailed look at the CDX‑1 discovery, its therapeutic implications, and the CDX‑1 antibody pipeline is available in a feature on the UC SD Institute for Immunology’s website, titled “Checkpoint Regulation and the Future of Immunotherapy.”

In short, Dr. William H. Hsu’s Nobel Prize is more than a personal triumph—it is a landmark moment for UC SD, signaling that the university’s commitment to fostering scientific curiosity and rigorous research can yield breakthroughs that reshape human health. The world of medicine—and the future of UC SD—has indeed taken a step into a brighter, healthier tomorrow.