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The basics:

• Liberty Science Center Genius Gala raises record $3.2 million for STEM programs
• 700+  leaders attend the Jersey City fundraiser
• Dr. Richard Hodosh pledges $1 million for Project Supernova
• AI, immunology and bioengineering pioneers received Genius Awards

The Liberty Science Center raised a record more than $3.2 million during its 14th Annual Genius Gala, held May 18 in Jersey City. The event brought together more than 700 business, civic and philanthropic leaders in support of STEM education programs for children.

The evening highlighted advances in science and technology while also helping advance the center’s long-term expansion plans. Paul Hoffman, president and CEO of LSC and creator of the Genius Awards, announced a $1 million gift from Dr. Richard Hodosh, a longtime trustee and neurosurgeon. The funding marks the first major contribution toward “Project Supernova,” which will add new exhibits, upgraded planetarium technology, and expanded family attractions to the interactive science museum.

Three innovators received top honors for breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, immunology and bioengineering:

• Dr. David Fajgenbaum – founder of Every Cure, who uses AI to identify existing drugs for off-label treatment of “incurable” diseases
• Yann LeCun – executive chairman of AMI Labs and former Meta chief AI scientist, honored for foundational work in neural networks and machine learning
• Beth Shapiro – chief science officer at Colossal Biosciences, recognized for leading de-extinction research, including efforts tied to woolly mammoth restoration

Josh Weston, longtime CEO of ADP and a major New Jersey civic and business leader, received the LSC Icon Award for decades of philanthropy and board service. STEM educator and influencer Sean Atitsogbe, known as “Sean the Science Kid,” was also featured for his science outreach work.

Making the impossible, possible

“This year’s class of Genius Award honorees exemplifies the power of curiosity, perseverance, and fearless innovation,” said Hoffman. “Each of these individuals is pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in their respective fields and, in so doing, they are making what was thought to be impossible possible – all while inspiring others to think boldly and dream big.”

The program also featured talented young performers, robots, and other surprises. A “who’s who” of New Jersey business, industry, government, philanthropic, healthcare and civic leadership chaired the event, including:

Corporate chair

• Caroline Tillett, chief scientific officer, Kenvue

Innovation chairs

• Bruce Levy, president and CEO, BMR Energy
• Timothy Tracy, EY Americas private equity leader, EY
• Gregory Tusar, head of institutional product, Coinbase

Co-chairs

• David Barry, founder and CEO, Urby
• Lindsay Hans, president and co-head, Merrill Wealth Management
• Richard Hodosh, physician and philanthropist
• Lisa Brooking, civic and philanthropic leader
• Chirag Patel, co-CEO and president, Amneal Pharmaceuticals
• Al Reba, senior vice president, Bristol Myers Squibb
• Anthony Skiadas, executive vice president and CFO, Verizon Communications
• Clarissa Weber, CFO, ADP Global Product & Technology
• Jennifer Yettke and Alex Haro, business and civic leaders

The Genius Gala serves as the center’s primary annual fundraising event and has raised roughly $30 million since its inception, supporting STEM programming and hands-on science education for students across the region.