The Hereditary Disease Foundation is pleased to announce Jeff B. Carroll, PhD, from the University of Washington as the 2025 recipient of the Leslie Gehry Prize for Innovation in Science.
HDF Board Chair Karen Newman (left), HDF CEO Meghan Donaldson (right), with 2025 Leslie Gehry Prize recipient Jeff Carroll
In the rare disease space, few scientists embody the spirit of hope, perseverance, and scientific excellence quite like Dr. Jeff Carroll. Dr. Carroll’s career has been dedicated to advancing research toward a treatment for Huntington’s disease (HD), which is specifically important to him as someone living with the gene. His personal connection to HD has fueled a scientific career of extraordinary breadth and impact, shaped by deep empathy, fierce intellect, and an unwavering commitment to the HD community.
Jeff’s journey into science wasn’t typical. While serving in the U.S. Army, his mother was diagnosed with HD, which changed everything. Knowing he was at 50% risk of inheriting the gene himself, he set down a path that would take him from a basic Army biology course to the frontlines of HD research. After testing positive for the HD gene in 2003, Jeff committed to a career in neuroscience that could help chart a better future for people like him and his mother.
Dr. Carroll earned his PhD under the mentorship of Dr. Michael Hayden at the University of British Columbia, contributing to foundational research on HD mouse models and gene-silencing strategies. He later joined the lab of Dr. Marcy MacDonald at Harvard Medical School to study metabolic changes in HD. In 2011, he launched his independent research group at Western Washington University, before joining the Department of Neurology at the University of Washington in 2022. Across each phase of his career, Jeff’s scientific work has blended molecular rigor with a clear-eyed focus on what matters most: improving the lives of people with HD.
Dr. Carroll’s influence extends beyond the lab bench. In 2011, alongside Dr. Ed Wild, he co-founded HDBuzz, the world’s first plain-language HD research news platform. HDBuzz has transformed how families, people living with HD, and caregivers access HD science, by providing hope, clarity, and empowerment to a global audience.
Jeff’s impact also stretches into the world of nano-rare diseases. He works with n-Lorem, an organization delivering life-saving gene-targeted therapies to patients with ultra-rare genetic diseases for free for life. His work ensures that the most vulnerable patients have a voice, and a shot at treatment.
This year, we are proud to honor and congratulate Dr. Jeff Carroll with the 2025 Leslie Gehry Prize for Innovation in Science.
The Leslie Gehry Prize, created in partnership with architect Frank Gehry and his family to honor the memory of his daughter Leslie, celebrates scientists who exemplify imagination, precision, and boldness in their work. Dr. Carroll’s unique blend of insight, rigor, and advocacy reflect all these qualities, and more. His career stands as a testament to what’s possible when personal passion meets scientific purpose.
The Hereditary Disease Foundation is deeply honored to recognize Dr. Jeff Carroll’s exceptional contributions to HD research, communication, and community. We are grateful to the Gehry family for making this award possible, and to Jeff, for reminding us that courage, compassion, and curiosity can change the world.
