< Symposium
25th Anniversary Celebration Symposium
The Stowers Institute for Medical Research will host its 25th Anniversary Celebration Symposium November 14, 2025, honoring a quarter century of discovery, innovation, and hope.
Explore our past 25 years here.
Nov 142025
Stowers Institute for Medical Research
This special daylong event will feature thought-provoking talks, fireside chats, and conversations with leading voices in biological sciences and beyond.
Highlights include:
-Welcome remarks from Stowers Institute President and Chief Scientific Officer Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado, Ph.D., Scientific Director Kausik Si, Ph.D., and Chairman of the Stowers Institute and Chairman, CEO & President of American Century Investments Jonathan Thomas.
-Reflections from the Institute’s first Scientific Director Robb Krumlauf, Ph.D.
-Presentations and Panel Discussions from leading scientists in their fields.
-A special talk from Carl Zimmer, award-winning science journalist at The New York Times and best-selling author.
The day of invigorating discussion and celebration concludes with a festive reception in the Stowers Institute Gallery, where we will gather to toast the discoveries yet to come.
Registration opens soon. Space is limited. Save the date!
Featured Speakers
Agenda
Friday, Nov 14, 2025
| Session | Time |
|---|---|
| Discoveries of the Past: A look back at the scientific breakthroughs and transformative moments from the Institute’s first 25 years, and how an ambitious “experiment that worked” reshaped the way fundamental biology is done. | 10:00-12:30pm |
| The Future of Biology: Leading voices in science and journalism explore the bold questions that will define the next 25 years of discovery—from regeneration and genetics to evolution and beyond. | 3:30-6:30pm |
| Festive Reception: An evening celebration in the Stowers Gallery, bringing together scientists, alumni, community members, and friends to honor 25 years of discovery and toast to the future. | 6:30-8:30pm |
Join us to celebrate 25 years in Kansas City
The Stowers Institute's 25th Anniversary Celebration Symposium and Reception will take place on November 14, 2025.
Registration opens soon. Space is limited. Save the date!
An experiment that worked
In November 2000, the Stowers Institute first opened the doors to its 10-acre campus in Kansas City, Mo. Thanks to the vision of our founders, Jim and Virginia Stowers, and the unique funding model they established between the Institute and American Century Investments, our scientists can openly pursue and discover the secrets of life—transforming scientific discovery and accelerating our understanding of human health and disease.
“This is a fundamental principle that will make the Stowers Institute different,” Jim Stowers said at the Institute’s opening. “The Institute will attract the very best scientists because of the uninterrupted financial support.”
Over the past 25 years, Institute has earned a reputation throughout the Kansas City community and the world as a one-of-a-kind scientific Institute where scientists have the financial and scientific freedom to pursue the boldest, riskiest questions facing biologists today.
