It’s been quite a week for one Seattle scientist, after getting an unexpected late-night call from a Swedish phone number last week.

That call turned out to bring good news: Dr. Mary Brunkow is sharing this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

She’s being honored for research she did decades ago; work that would eventually loom large in developing ways to treat autoimmune disease and cancer.

We’ve asked Dr. Brunkow to reflect a bit on what that work looks like in hindsight, and what it means to share this honor…

GUEST: Dr. Mary Brunkow

RELATED LINKS:
She didn’t believe she won the Nobel — until a photographer showed up at her Seattle door 
Mary E. Brunkow – Facts – 2025 - NobelPrize.org 
UW alum awarded Nobel Prize in Medicine – Be Boundless

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

It&rsquo;s been quite a week for one Seattle scientist, after getting an unexpected late-night call from a Swedish phone number last week.
That call turned out to bring good news: Dr. Mary Brunkow is sharing this year&rsquo;s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
She&rsquo;s being honored for research she did decades ago; work that would eventually loom large in developing ways to treat autoimmune disease and cancer.
We&rsquo;ve asked Dr. Brunkow to reflect a bit on what that work looks like in hindsight, and what it means to share this honor&hellip;
GUEST: <a href="https://hood.isbscience.org/people/mary-brunkow-phd/?tab=biography">Dr. Mary Brunkow</a>
RELATED LINKS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/science/she-didnt-believe-she-won-the-nobel-until-a-photographer-showed-up-at-her-seattle-door/">She didn&rsquo;t believe she won the Nobel &mdash; until a photographer showed up at her Seattle door</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2025/brunkow/facts/">Mary E. Brunkow &ndash; Facts &ndash; 2025 - NobelPrize.org</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.washington.edu/boundless/uw-alum-awarded-nobel-prize-in-medicine/">UW alum awarded Nobel Prize in Medicine &ndash; Be Boundless</a> </li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Dr. Mary Brunkow joins Soundside to talk about the work that earned her a Nobel Prize.

What's the difference between a scurfy mouse and a scruffy mouse? A Nobel Prize

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.

It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward.

Note: Microsoft is a financial supporter of KUOW, but we cover them like we do any other company.

Guest

Catharine Smith, KUOW politics editor

Related Links

Seattle data center ban heads to Mayor Wilson's desk- KUOW

Transgender ballot initiative could require genital exams for WA secondary school students- KUOW

School cellphone ban proposed by WA governor, superintendent - The Seattle Times



Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.
It&rsquo;s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward.
Note: Microsoft is a financial supporter of KUOW, but we cover them like we do any other company.
Guest
<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/catharine-smith">Catharine Smith</a>, KUOW politics editor Related Links
<a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-data-center-ban-heads-to-mayor-wilson-s-desk">Seattle data center ban heads to Mayor Wilson's desk</a> <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/joshua-mcnichols"></a>- KUOW
<a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/transgender-ballot-initiative-could-require-genital-exams-for-wa-secondary-school-students">Transgender ballot initiative could require genital exams for WA secondary school students</a> <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/sarah-mizes-tan"></a>- KUOW
<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/school-cell-phone-ban-proposed-by-wa-governor-superintendent/">School cellphone ban proposed by WA governor, superintendent</a> - The Seattle Times 
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network

This week, Gov. Ferguson also threw his weight behind a cell phone ban in K-12 public schools.

Front Page: Seattle's data center ban, KUOW's reporting on trans athlete ballot initiative 

We’re just over six months into Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's tenure, which means the honeymoon period’s in the rear view mirror. Voters have gotten a look at how her administration is handling  some of the biggest issues facing the city:
How ready is Seattle to host its first World Cup game on Monday?
What happened to those 500 shelter beds that were supposed to be added before the games
How is the Mayor taking criticism from the business community over some of her progressive messaging?
How will Wilson, as a former transit rider organizer, prioritize moving people throughout the city?

Guest:

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson

Relevant Links:

Seattle Times: Mayor Wilson agrees to turn on stadium-area cameras ahead of World Cup 

Politico: The World Cup’s biggest policy bet

Seattle Times: Seattle mayor pitches sales tax increase to boost bus service 

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

We&rsquo;re just over six months into Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's tenure, which means the honeymoon period&rsquo;s in the rear view mirror. Voters have gotten a look at how her administration is handling&nbsp; some of the biggest issues facing the city:
<ul>
<li>How ready is Seattle to host its first World Cup game on Monday?</li>
<li>What happened to those 500 shelter beds that were supposed to be added before the games</li>
<li>How is the Mayor taking criticism from the business community over some of her progressive messaging?</li>
<li>How will Wilson, as a former transit rider organizer, prioritize moving people throughout the city?</li>
</ul>
Guest:
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson
Relevant Links:
Seattle Times: <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/mayor-wilson-agrees-to-turn-on-stadium-area-cameras-ahead-of-world-cup/">Mayor Wilson agrees to turn on stadium-area cameras ahead of World Cup&nbsp;</a>
Politico: <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/31/world-cup-seattle-housing-00749371">The World Cup&rsquo;s biggest policy bet</a>
Seattle Times: <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/seattle-mayor-pitches-sales-tax-increase-to-boost-bus-services/">Seattle mayor pitches sales tax increase to boost bus service&nbsp;</a>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

We’re just over six months into Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's tenure, which means the honeymoon period’s in the rear view mirror. Voters have gotten a look at how her administration is handling  some of the biggest issues facing the city

Seattle Mayor Wilson on World Cup, CCTV cameras, shelter promise, and Ballard light rail

In Washington, many families that have children with disabilities are supposed to have help with care. Actually finding that help, though, can be incredibly difficult.

The struggle some families have experienced and the lengths they're going to to try to make it better.

 

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

In Washington, many families that have children with disabilities are supposed to have help with care. Actually finding that help, though, can be incredibly difficult.
The struggle some families have experienced and the lengths they're going to to try to make it better.
&nbsp;
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

In Washington, many families that have children with disabilities are supposed to have help with care. Actually finding that help, though, can be incredibly difficult.

What's the difference between a scurfy mouse and a scruffy mouse? A Nobel Prize

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