UCSF Scientists Win Bowes Biomedical Investigator Awards

Breakthrough discoveries in neuroscience and cancer immunology earn prestigious honors

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Two UCSF scientists, Daniele Canzio, PhD, and Balyn Zaro, PhD, have been named winners of the 2026 Bowes Biomedical Investigator Award. Canzio's research focuses on how origami-like DNA folding patterns generate unique neuron identities, which could lead to new treatments for neurological disorders. Zaro's work examines how cancer cells hijack macrophage immune cells, leading to the discovery of a potential new drug target. The $1.25 million awards over five years support their innovative approaches to biomedicine.

Why it matters

These breakthrough discoveries in neuroscience and cancer immunology could open new paths to preventing and treating conditions such as autism, Alzheimer's, and cancer. Understanding the fundamental mechanisms behind neuron diversity and immune cell dysfunction in tumors may enable the development of novel targeted therapies.

The details

Canzio's lab found that during brain development, neurons extend branches to defined territories and use a barcode-like system to distinguish themselves. This barcode is generated by DNA that can fold in unique origami-like patterns in each neuron, creating billions of diverse identities. Zaro's team discovered that tumor-associated macrophages, a type of immune cell, become dysregulated in cancer by stealing proteins from the cancer cells' surface and losing their ability to clear out the tumor. This insight led to the development of a new mass spectrometry method to identify these "bad" macrophages as a potential drug target.

  • The Bowes Biomedical Investigator Awards were announced in February 2026.
  • Canzio and Zaro's breakthrough discoveries were made in the years leading up to the 2026 award.

The players

Daniele Canzio

An associate professor of neurology in the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, who studies the role of cell surface diversity that helps neurons communicate.

Balyn Zaro

An associate professor of pharmaceutical chemistry in the UCSF School of Pharmacy, who studies immunology and cancer biology.

William K. Bowes Jr. Foundation

The organization that provides the Bowes Biomedical Investigator Award, which supports scientists who take novel approaches and have the potential to make significant contributions to biomedicine.

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What they’re saying

“When you're a scientist, you're so driven by your ideas and not necessarily expecting external validation from others. For people - especially people within the UCSF community that I'm so appreciative to be part of - to affirm that these are fantastic ideas feels really good. The award gives us this huge financial runway to keep going with the projects.”

— Balyn Zaro, Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Mirage News)

“This is your own family that essentially selects you, so it's more special than any award from the outside. I look up to my mentors Geeta Narlikar, Stavros Lomvardas, and Tom Maniatis with the hope that I can be as good as them, or at least as close as possible as a mentor to my own people.”

— Daniele Canzio, Associate Professor of Neurology (Mirage News)

What’s next

Canzio's team is exploring how the DNA folding mechanism that generates unique neuron identities could be harnessed to rewire connections and restore lost neural circuits. Zaro's lab is working with Jim Wells' lab to develop a drug that can selectively target the "bad" tumor-associated macrophages.

The takeaway

These breakthrough discoveries in neuroscience and cancer immunology demonstrate the power of interdisciplinary approaches and innovative thinking to tackle complex biomedical challenges. The Bowes Biomedical Investigator Awards provide critical funding to support UCSF's world-class scientists as they pursue transformative research with the potential to improve human health.