TAMEST Donor Spotlight Profile: Nobel Laureate Johann Deisenhofer, Ph.D. (NAS), UT Southwestern Medical Center

TAMEST Member and Nobel Laureate Johann Deisenhofer, Ph.D. (NAS), UT Southwestern Medical Center, is a world-renowned biophysicist and founding member of TAMEST. He has been a dedicated supporter of TAMEST since its inception in 2004. As a colleague of TAMEST Co-Founder and Nobel Laureate Michael S. Brown, M.D. (NAM, NAS, FRS), Dr. Deisenhofer became involved from the very beginning and has remained a passionate advocate for TAMEST’s mission to this day.

“I thought [starting TAMEST] was a wonderful idea,” said Dr. Deisenhofer. “It is good to know what other people are doing. Great things are happening across all fields of research in Texas.”

From the beginning, the work of TAMEST has focused on bringing together the state’s top researchers and innovators to advance innovation, foster collaboration and strengthen the research ecosystem in Texas. Through annual conferences, awards and programs, TAMEST connects experts across disciplines to address the state’s most pressing challenges.

Dr. Deisenhofer has long valued the unique opportunities TAMEST provides for cross-disciplinary engagement. He is a stalwart attendee of the TAMEST annual conference.

“The annual meetings provide an opportunity to see so many amazing people in person,” he said, “and allows for broadened perspectives by going beyond our immediate interests in research.”

Dr. Deisenhofer is also a strong supporter of the Mary Beth Maddox Award and Lectureship, which honors the legacy of a beloved TAMEST leader and uplifts early-career researchers in Texas. Nominations for the next cycle of the award are currently open and will close on September 30, 2025.

“It was a wonderful idea to name an award and lecture series after her,” said Dr. Deisenhofer. “The recent lecture at UT Southwestern was wonderful and I was so happy to see how many people attended.”

He applauds TAMEST’s efforts to expand access and visibility for emerging scientists, especially those who participate in the Protégé Program and Protégé Poster Challenge.

“To open up [the annual meeting] for other scientists that aspire to become TAMEST members is a wonderful idea, it’s a guarantee for growing participation,” he said.

Dr. Deisenhofer’s continued support, both in service on various TAMEST committees and as a dedicated annual fund donor, is rooted in his belief in TAMEST’s long-term impact and potential.

“In the beginning, some were skeptical, but time has shown that [TAMEST] has really been a success,” he said. “In seeing this success, it has been natural for me to give some financial support, as small as it is.”

He emphasizes that contributions of any size can make a meaningful difference in advancing TAMEST’s mission.

“TAMEST is doing a fantastic job in bringing scientists, engineers and medical people together. Interdisciplinary communication is such an important part of a scientific approach, and I’m delighted to see my donations go towards supporting such impactful work,” he said.

As a nonprofit, TAMEST’s work is made possible by the generosity of members like Dr. Deisenhofer. Every gift, large or small, helps TAMEST:

• Recognize and support groundbreaking research
• Elevate early-career scientists through awards and mentorship
• Increase nominations to the National Academies with the TAMEST National Academy Advancement Initiative
• Foster collaboration across disciplines, institutions and industries

Your support ensures that Texas remains a leader in scientific innovation and discovery.

Learn more about how you can support TAMEST’s mission at tamest.org/support.