Dr. Chrysothemis Brown, an immunologist renowned for her pioneering research on early life immune system development and its intricate relationship to a spectrum of diseases such as autoimmunity, allergy, inflammation, and cancer, has recently been distinguished among 30 elite early-career scientists nationwide. She has been selected for the class of 2025 Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Freeman Hrabowski Scholars. This prestigious honor supports outstanding basic researchers, including physician-scientists, who demonstrate exceptional potential to lead their respective fields while fostering inclusive and vibrant research environments.
The HHMI Freeman Hrabowski Scholars program is designed not only to provide financial support but also to cultivate leadership by enhancing scholars’ mentoring capabilities and creating conducive laboratory atmospheres. Awardees receive a comprehensive package that includes a full salary, benefits, a substantial research budget, and access to essential scientific instruments, empowering them to undertake groundbreaking, curiosity-driven investigations. Dr. Brown’s selection symbolizes recognition of her innovative approaches in immunology and immuno-oncology, highlighting her unique ability to bridge clinical insights with fundamental scientific discovery.
At Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), Dr. Brown serves as an assistant attending physician and an assistant member of the Immuno-Oncology Program. Her research delves into the ontogeny and evolution of the immune system during early life, focusing particularly on immune tolerance mechanisms and the delicate balance between immune activation and suppression. Through these studies, she aims to unravel the foundational cellular and molecular processes that dictate immune responses from infancy and how perturbations in these processes contribute to chronic inflammatory conditions and oncogenesis.
Dr. Brown’s academic journey began with undergraduate medical training at Oxford University and University College London, followed by pediatric specialization in London and a doctorate in immunology. Her postdoctoral work in the laboratory of Alexander Rudensky, PhD, Chair of the Immunology Program at MSK’s Sloan Kettering Institute, cemented her expertise in the transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of immune cell fate decisions. In Rudensky’s lab, Dr. Brown identified novel immune cell subsets and elucidated key transcriptional regulators guiding their differentiation and function, deepening the understanding of immune system complexities on a cellular and genetic level.
A hallmark of Dr. Brown’s research is the integration of single-cell transcriptomic methodologies to dissect the heterogeneity of immune cells within pediatric autoimmune diseases and human cancers. Her innovative application of this technology uncovered a previously uncharacterized population of antigen-presenting cells pivotal for fostering immune tolerance to commensal gut bacteria during early life. This discovery sheds light on fundamental processes that maintain immune homeostasis and prevent pathologic inflammatory reactions, with broad implications for treating immune-related disorders.
In a groundbreaking study published earlier this year in the prestigious journal Science, Dr. Brown’s laboratory demonstrated the vital role of these novel immune cells, termed “Thetis cells,” in suppressing inflammatory responses to dietary antigens in early childhood. This research provides compelling evidence that Thetis cells act as critical mediators in establishing oral tolerance, a process essential for preventing food allergies and maintaining gut immune equilibrium. The study’s findings open new investigative pathways to understand and potentially treat childhood food allergies and other immune dysregulation disorders.
Dr. Brown articulates her overarching research objective as addressing persistent enigmas in immune tolerance by synthesizing new insights from cell subset discovery with an extensive foundation of immunological research. Her lab is committed to uncovering fundamental mechanisms that may transform our understanding and treatment of diseases where immune tolerance fails. This quest not only advances scientific knowledge but also aims to translate basic research into transformative clinical applications for allergy, autoimmune conditions, and cancer immunotherapy.
Beyond her impressive scientific contributions, Dr. Brown is recognized for her dedication to cultivating an inclusive and collaborative laboratory environment. She emphasizes mentoring the next generation of scientists with a vision to foster diversity, equity, and excellence within biomedical research. The Freeman Hrabowski Scholar award is expected to further support her efforts in building a robust and progressive research community committed to scientific innovation and social responsibility.
Dr. Brown’s accomplishments have been widely acknowledged through numerous high-profile awards, including the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases New Innovator Award, a Pew Biomedical Scholar Award, the Josie Robertson Young Investigator Award, and recognition by the Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize. Each accolade reflects her sustained excellence and the impact of her research on the scientific community and public health.
Joan Massagué, PhD, former Chief Scientific Officer at MSK, praised Dr. Brown’s inclusion in the 2025 class of Freeman Hrabowski Scholars as an affirmation of her trailblazing work and leadership potential. Dr. Massagué highlighted the significance of supporting early-career scientists like Dr. Brown to sustain momentum in immunology research and to nurture future innovators who will reshape biomedical science.
Interestingly, the 2025 Freeman Hrabowski Scholars cohort also includes two MSK alumni, Corina Amor Vega, MD, PhD, of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and Elizabeth Wasmuth, PhD, of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Both are former postdoctoral researchers at MSK, underscoring the institution’s strength in preparing scientists for impactful independent careers.
As Dr. Brown advances her research agenda, combining cutting-edge transcriptomics, immunological assays, and patient-derived models, she continues to unravel the sophisticated network of immune tolerance mechanisms. Her work promises to elucidate how early immune development shapes long-term health trajectories and to inform novel strategies for intervention in immune-mediated diseases and cancer.
The recognition by HHMI and the Freeman Hrabowski Scholars program not only celebrates Dr. Brown’s past achievements but also heralds a future wherein her innovative scientific inquiries and commitment to mentorship catalyze substantial progress in immunology and beyond.
Subject of Research: Early life immune system development, immune tolerance, antigen-presenting cells, immunology, autoimmune disease, allergy, inflammation, cancer immunotherapy
Article Title: Immunologist Chrysothemis Brown Named 2025 HHMI Freeman Hrabowski Scholar for Pioneering Research in Immune Tolerance and Early Life Immune Development
News Publication Date: Not specified
Web References:
– https://www.mskcc.org/research-areas/labs/chrysothemis-brown
– https://www.hhmi.org/programs/freeman-hrabowski-scholars/2025-scholars
– https://www.mskcc.org/research-areas/immuno-oncology
– https://www.mskcc.org/research-areas/labs/alexander-rudensky
– https://www.mskcc.org/research-programs/immunology
– https://www.mskcc.org/research/ski
– https://www.mskcc.org/news/msk-researchers-identify-key-player-in-childhood-food-allergies-thetis-cells
Image Credits: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Keywords: Physician scientists, Discovery research, Immunology
