University of California Breaks Record with Five Nobel Prizes

The University of California (UC) has achieved an extraordinary milestone by setting a world record for the most Nobel Prizes awarded to a single university system in one year. Over a span of three days in October 2025, UC faculty received four Nobel Prizes, making it the leading university globally in this regard. When including its alumni, the total rises to five awards across esteemed categories such as medicine, physics, and chemistry.

Groundbreaking Discoveries Recognized

The notable achievements recognized this year encompass significant advancements in various fields. Among them are groundbreaking insights into the immune system, which have led to lifesaving treatments for diseases like cancer and multiple sclerosis. Additionally, pioneering research has established foundational principles for quantum computing, while innovative designs of molecular materials are contributing to efforts to remove airborne pollution and extract potable water from arid conditions.

James B. Milliken, President of the University of California, underscored the impact of these accomplishments, stating, “These remarkable achievements by five UC-affiliated Nobel Prize winners reflect the very best of the world-changing teaching, research, and public service happening across our University.” He emphasized the broader implications of these discoveries, noting, “More communities will have clean drinking water, more people will be protected from cyberattacks, and more patients will have access to better treatments for diseases like arthritis and multiple sclerosis.”

The breakthroughs recognized this year are the result of decades of federal investment in university research, funding that has historically driven American innovation, economic growth, and scientific leadership. Nevertheless, there are concerns regarding the future of such funding. Current budget proposals threaten to cut federal research support, which could hinder ongoing discoveries essential to maintaining the United States’ position at the forefront of global science.

Federal Support and UC’s Legacy

In light of these challenges, the University of California has initiated the Speak Up for Science campaign to advocate for increased federal support for research and innovation. The campaign aims to highlight the crucial role that federal funding plays in fostering world-class research that addresses critical health challenges, drives technological advancements, and sustains the nation’s scientific leadership.

Since the inception of the Nobel Prize in 1901, UC has produced an impressive 75 Nobel laureates across various disciplines, including medicine, physics, chemistry, and economics. This latest achievement brings the total number of Nobel laureates affiliated with UC at the time of their award to 49, the highest of any institution in history.

This year’s distinguished UC laureates include:

– **Frederick J. Ramsdell**, an alumnus of both UC San Diego and UCLA, who was honored with the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work on peripheral immune tolerance.

– **John Clarke**, **John M. Martinis**, and **Michel H. Devoret**, all physicists from UC Santa Barbara and UC Berkeley, who collectively received the Nobel Prize in Physics for their discoveries related to macroscopic quantum mechanical tunneling.

– **Omar M. Yaghi**, a chemist from UC Berkeley, awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his development of metal-organic frameworks, which have significant applications in carbon capture and water harvesting from the atmosphere.

Federal funding has been indispensable in supporting these groundbreaking initiatives. For instance, the National Institutes of Health facilitated Dr. Ramsdell’s research into genetic mutations causing severe immune disorders. Meanwhile, the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and National Security Administration have been pivotal in supporting the work of Drs. Clarke, Martinis, and Devoret, whose contributions are foundational to the field of quantum computing. Dr. Yaghi’s work was similarly backed by various federal agencies, reflecting a long-standing partnership that has yielded transformative results.

The University of California’s remarkable achievements in 2025 not only underscore its historical commitment to excellence in research and education but also serve as a call to action for continued investment in science and innovation. As the university celebrates this unprecedented success, the need for robust federal support remains vital to ensuring that future discoveries can thrive.