The Arthur Kornberg and Paul Berg
Lifetime Achievement Award in Biomedical Sciences
In 2010, the Stanford University Medical Center Alumni Association Board of Governors established an award to recognize the lifetime achievements of Stanford University School of Medicine alumni in the biomedical sciences. This award carries the names of Arthur Kornberg, MD, and Paul Berg, PhD, in recognition of their pioneering contributions to medicine and their service to Stanford.
In 1959, Dr. Kornberg came to Stanford as chair of the newly established Department of Biochemistry. In the same year, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine along with Severo Ochoa for their work in elucidating how DNA is built. These basic studies paved the road to recombinant DNA and genetic engineering, now important elements in the treatment of cancer and viral infections.
Dr. Berg also came to Stanford in 1959. His work with recombinant DNA, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1980, helped launch the biotechnology industry.
Drs. Berg and Kornberg brought to Stanford a passion for discovery, groundbreaking research, and a strong spirit of excitement and cooperation. They helped forge an environment that has produced generations of highly successful students and postdoctoral fellows, and in so doing, shaped the future of the School of Medicine. This lifetime achievement award honors their legacy.
2025 Award Recipient
W. Kimryn Rathmell, PhD ’96, MD ’98
W. Kimryn Rathmell, PhD, MD, is the chief executive officer for the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute of the Ohio State University. She holds the inaugural Jeri B. Block and Robert H. Schottenstein Distinguished Chair in Cancer and oversees the cancer program for the Ohio State University. Dr. Rathmell served as the 17th director of the National Cancer Institute from December 2023 to January 2025 and previously led the Vanderbilt University Medical Center as physician-in-chief and chair of the Department of Medicine.
Dr. Rathmell specializes in the research and treatment of complex and hereditary forms of kidney cancer. Her work focuses on uncovering the underlying mechanisms of these diseases, using genetic, molecular, and cell biology to reveal their key drivers. In addition to her research, Dr. Rathmell is a dedicated advocate for the mentorship and development of early-career researchers.
Dr. Rathmell earned undergraduate degrees in biology and chemistry from the University of Northern Iowa and a PhD in biophysics, followed by an MD, from Stanford. She completed an internal medicine internship at the University of Chicago and an internal medicine residency, a medical oncology fellowship, and postdoctoral studies at the University of Pennsylvania. She earned a master of management in health care from Vanderbilt University in 2022. Dr. Rathmell is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine.
Video Tributes to 2024 Award Recipients
Joseph DeRisi, PhD ’99
Garry P. Nolan, PhD ’89, Postdoc ’89
Video Tributes to 2023 Award Recipients
Russ B Altman, PhD ’89, MD ’90
Kevin Struhl, PhD ’80
Video Tributes to 2022 Award Recipients
Richard Aldrich, Jr., PhD ’80
Marian Carlson, PhD ’78
Video Tributes to 2021 Award Recipients
Michael J. Chamberlin, PhD ’63
Stephen P. Goff, PhD ’78
Video Tributes to 2019 Award Recipients
Sandra Schmid, PhD ’85
Irving L. Weissman, MD ’65
Video Tributes to 2018 Award Recipients
John R. Carlson, PhD ’82, Post Doc ’85
Peter S. Kim, PhD ’86
Video Tribute to 2017 Award Recipients
Susan Marqusee, MD ’90, PhD ’90
Video Tributes to 2016 Award Recipients
Paul L. Modrich, PhD ’73
Owen N. Witte, MD ’76
Past Kornberg-Berg Award Recipients
2011
Randy W. Schekman, PhD ’75
Thomas E. Shenk, PhD, PD ’73
2012
Frederick W. Alt, PhD ’79
James A. Spudich, PhD ’68
2013
Jeremy H. Nathans, PhD ’86, MD ’87
Louis F. Reichardt, PhD ’72
2014
Tania A. Baker, PhD ’88
William B. Wood, PhD ’64
2015
Richard P. Lifton, MD ’82, PhD ’86
Ronald D. Vale, PhD ’85
2016
Paul L. Modrich, PhD ’73
Owen N. Witte, MD ’76
2017
Susan Marqusee, MD ’90, PhD ’90
2018
John R. Carlson, PhD ’82, Post Doc ’85
Peter S. Kim, PhD ’86
2019
Sandra Schmid, PhD ’85
Irving L. Weissman, MD ’65
2021
Michael J. Chamberlin, PhD ’63
Stephen P. Goff, PhD ’78
2022
Richard Aldrich, Jr., PhD ’80
Marian Carlson, PhD ’78
2023
Russ B Altman, PhD ’89, MD ’90
Kevin Struhl, PhD ’80
2024
Joseph DeRisi, PhD ’99
Garry P. Nolan, PhD ’89, Postdoc ’89