NYU’s Jeffrey Hubbell receives prestigious 2025 Excellence in Biomaterials Science Award from Surfaces in Biomaterials Foundation

New York University's Jeffrey Hubbell has been named recipient of the 2025 Excellence in Biomaterials Science Award by the Surfaces in Biomaterials Foundation (SIBF). This award, SIBF's highest honor, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the biomaterials science field.

A pioneer in immune-engineering and designing proteins for medical applications, Hubbell joined NYU last year to lead a major cross-institutional initiative between NYU Tandon School of Engineering and NYU Langone Health aimed at translating scientific discoveries into innovative treatments. For more than 30 years, his research has focused on creating novel materials to control immune system reactions, developing better approaches to treat autoimmune diseases, allergies, and cancer.

Hubbell holds the position of Vice President for Life Sciences and Engineering at NYU, and serves as Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at NYU Tandon, with additional appointments in the Departments of Biology and Chemistry at NYU Arts & Science, and Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology at NYU Langone Health.

This recognition from SIBF is deeply meaningful because it acknowledges the collaborative efforts of my students, postdocs, and colleagues over many years. Our goal has always been to develop materials that can precisely interact with biological systems to create better therapies. Seeing these concepts move from the lab to clinical testing and potentially help patients is the ultimate reward."

— Jeffrey Hubbell

Among Hubbell's contributions is the development of "inverse vaccines" that can potentially reverse autoimmune diseases and treat allergic conditions by instructing the immune system to tolerate specific molecules rather than attack them. This represents a departure from conventional immunosuppressive therapies that broadly inhibit immune function, and has shown promising early results for conditions including multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and asthma.

This innovative approach exemplifies why Hubbell was selected for this recognition.

"Professor Hubbell's impact on the biomaterials field is profound, not only because it advances the science but because it improves patient outcomes," said Thomas Jozefiak,

SIBF Vice President and Chairman of the Awards Committee. "His pioneering research exemplifies SIBF's mission to explore creative materials science solutions to technical challenges at the interface between materials and biological systems, while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across industrial, academic, clinical, and regulatory communities. We are thrilled to recognize his achievements with this year's award."

A member of all three National Academies — Engineering (2010), Medicine (2019), and Sciences (2024) — as well as the National Academy of Inventors (2014) and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2021), Hubbell has published more than 400 papers and holds over 100 patents. His research has resulted in the founding of six biomedical companies translating his technologies into clinical treatments.

"Jeff Hubbell is a gifted engineer and a remarkable scientist who has consistently been at the forefront of multiple fields," said Juan de Pablo, NYU's Executive Vice President for Global Science and Technology and Executive Dean of the Tandon School of Engineering. "His natural ability to translate fundamental discoveries into technologies that benefit patients makes him an exceptional leader for our cross-institutional initiatives. We are delighted that SIBF chose to honor his extraordinary contributions."

Before joining NYU, Hubbell served as the Eugene Bell Professor in Tissue Engineering at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering.

This year's Excellence in Biomaterials Science Award will be presented on October 1, 2025, at the BioInterface 2025 Workshop & Symposium at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.

About the Surfaces in Biomaterials Foundation (SIBF)

The Surfaces in Biomaterials Foundation is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to advancing biomaterials science. Through education, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing, SIBF connects industrial, academic, clinical, and regulatory professionals to address challenges and innovations at the BioInterface. The Foundation hosts an annual conference and provides year-round programming that supports its vibrant community of members.

About the NYU Tandon School of Engineering

The NYU Tandon School of Engineering is home to a community of renowned faculty, undergraduate and graduate students united in a mission to understand and create technology that powers cities, enables worldwide communication, fights climate change, and builds healthier, safer, and more equitable real and digital worlds. The school’s culture centers on encouraging rigorous, interdisciplinary collaboration and research; fostering inclusivity, entrepreneurial thinking, and diverse perspectives; and creating innovative and accessible pathways for lifelong learning in STEM. NYU Tandon dates back to 1854, the founding year of both the New York University School of Civil Engineering and Architecture and the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute. Located in the heart of Brooklyn, NYU Tandon is a vital part of New York University and its unparalleled global network. For more information, visit engineering.nyu.edu.