Leroy Hood

Dr. Hood’s research has focused on the study of molecular immunology, biotechnology, and genomics. He won the 2003 Lemelson-MIT Prize for inventing “four instruments that have unlocked much of the mystery of human biology” by helping decode the genome. His inventions include the DNA sequencer that contributed to the successful mapping of the human genome.

His professional career began at Caltech where he and his colleagues pioneered four instruments, which comprise the technological foundation for contemporary molecular biology. In 1992, Dr. Hood moved to the University of Washington as founder and Chairman of the cross-disciplinary Department of Molecular Biotechnology.