We have funded hundreds of world-class researchers and educators through our grant programs. In addition, we are proud of the public benefit and commercial successes of technologies in our investment and licensing portfolios. The following are examples of some of the people, projects and startups we have supported over the years.
Meet the WRF Postdoctoral Fellows and learn about their research >
We are sad to learn of the death of our colleague Edmond Fischer, Nobel laureate. We encourage you to learn more about his exceptional life. Obituary from UW Medicine Newsroom […]
Read storyA message from our chairman, Brooks Simpson, on the retirement of Ron Howell after 29 years as CEO of Washington Research Foundation Dear Friends and Colleagues: We would like to […]
Read storyTam’ra-Kay Francis, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Washington Department of Chemistry Founder and creator of Dear Black Student First Fridays; Pedagogy and Research on Race, Identity, Social Justice and Meaning; […]
Read storyThe passing of a legend. It is with heavy hearts that we learn the sad news of the passing of William H. Gates Sr. “Big Bill,” or “Bill Sr.,” as he was affectionately known, passed away on September 14, 2020.
Read storyWill Canestaro of Washington Research Foundation receives a University of Washington School of Pharmacy Early Career Achievement Award and becomes an Alumni Legend.
Read storyWe are saddened by the passing of our colleague and partner Earl Davie. We invite you to learn more about his life and his enormous contributions to science, public health […]
Read storyIn September 2019, WRF pledged over $1.5 million in additional support for a novel immunotherapy platform being developed in Dr. Jim Olson’s lab at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (Fred […]
Read storyResearch suggests that we all have our biases. Rather than denying it, maybe we should sleep on it. Biases permeate everyday life. They lead to assumptions about an individual’s interests […]
Read storyC-SATS (Crowd-Sourced Assessment of Technical Skills) spun out of the University of Washington in 2014 to provide evaluation and training for surgeons, shortly after receiving a $50,000 grant from WRF […]
Read storyDrs. Suzie Pun and Nathan White are developing a medical polymer at the University of Washington with the potential to save hundreds of thousands of lives around the world each […]
Read storyAt Washington State University (WSU), Dr. Kevin Gray and his colleagues in the integrative physiology and neuroscience department are developing a revolutionary cancer treatment. Chemotherapy drugs cannot target specific cells, […]
Read storyNile Wilson is a fourth-year doctoral student in the University of Washington’s (UW) bioengineering department, co-advised by Dr. Rajesh Rao in computer science and engineering, and Dr. Jeffrey Ojemann in […]
Read storySedona Ewbank is a biochemistry and neurobiology senior in Dr. Richard Palmiter’s lab at the University of Washington (UW). Ewbank’s current research explores the relationship between the microbial community of […]
Read storyWe are sad to learn of the passing of our friend, mentor and colleague, Dr. Benjamin Hall, whose research improved the health of more than a billion people around the […]
Read storyDr. Bing Brunton is the WRF Innovation Assistant Professor at the University of Washington’s Institute for Neuroengineering (UWIN). She is jointly appointed by UW’s biology department. Brunton’s research focuses on […]
Read storyHeart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Dr. Charles Murry and his team at UW Medicine are committed to changing this […]
Read storyXiaofeng Meng joined the University of Washington’s eScience Institute as a WRF Innovation Fellow in 2015. Meng is working with the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, a collaboration between UW and […]
Read storyIn the University of Washington’s Biology and Aeronautics & Astronautics departments, WRF Innovation Fellow Eatai Roth investigates how animals use sensory information to navigate through and interact with their environments. […]
Read storyAlder Biopharmaceuticals, based in Bothell, Washington, followed its 2014 initial public offering with success in its clinical trials. Alder’s lead drug, ALD403, is a preventive treatment for chronic migraines. In […]
Read storyFred Hutch spinout Juno Therapeutics is building a biopharmaceutical company focused on re-engaging the body’s immune system to revolutionize the treatment of cancer.
Read story