The 30th Keio Medical Science Prize Ceremony and Commemorative Lecture was held at the Kitasato Hall on Shinanomachi Campus on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. This year’s recipients were Dr. Clifford Paul Brangwynne of Princeton University and Dr. Akiko Iwasaki of Yale School of Medicine, who is also an International Collaborator for Bio2Q. Dr. Brangwynne was honored for his research, “Discovery of Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation in Cells,” and Dr. Iwasaki for her work, “Advancing Understanding og Human Immunity of COVID-19.”

On November 5, Bio2Q had the privilege of hosting the inaugural “LEAD50” lectureship, delivered by our distinguished international collaborator, Dr. Akiko Iwasaki. The event highlighted how scientific breakthroughs arise not only from rigorous intellectual and experimental pursuit but also from a thoughtfully navigated personal journey. Dr. Iwasaki exemplified this dual path, offering compelling insights into career development, resilience, and scientific leadership.

Her presentation resonated strongly with attendees and stimulated dynamic discussion. Several young students posed concrete questions, demonstrating genuine curiosity and eagerness to shape their own scientific futures. Their engagement underscored the lectureship’s impact in motivating early-career researchers.

The event set an inspiring benchmark for the Bio2Q LEAD50 initiative, recently launched to provide mentorship and visibility to exceptional women scientists. This inaugural lectureship marked a promising beginning, encouraging participants to pursue scientific excellence with ambition and purpose.