San Antonio Innovator Among 2025 Hill Prize Recipients Recognized for Transformative Research

SAN ANTONIO, TX (January 14, 2025) – TAMEST (Texas Academy of Medicine, Engineering, Science and Technology) and Lyda Hill Philanthropies have announced the recipients of the prestigious 2025 Hill Prizes, including a standout recognition for Dr. Kenneth M. Hargreaves, D.D.S., Ph.D., from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, who was honored with the Hill Prize in Medicine.
Dr. Hargreaves, a distinguished researcher and professor, was recognized for his groundbreaking work that has the potential to revolutionize medical treatments and improve patient outcomes. His achievements reflect the exceptional caliber of innovation emerging from San Antonio, underscoring the city’s growing reputation as a hub for world-class research and development.
2025 Hill Prize Recipients
- Medicine: Kenneth M. Hargreaves, D.D.S., Ph.D.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio - Public Health: Peter J. Hotez, M.D., Ph.D. (NAM)
Baylor College of Medicine - Engineering: Joan Frances Brennecke, Ph.D. (NAE)
The University of Texas at Austin - Biological Sciences: David J. Mangelsdorf, Ph.D. (NAM, NAS)
UT Southwestern Medical Center - Physical Sciences: James Chelikowsky, Ph.D.
The University of Texas at Austin - Technology: Robert De Lorenzo, M.D.
EmergenceMed, LLC
About the Hill Prizes
The Hill Prizes, funded by Lyda Hill Philanthropies, celebrate transformative, high-risk research with significant real-world potential. This year marks the first time six awards have been presented, including a new category in Public Health, made possible by a $10 million expansion initiative.
Each recipient receives critical seed funding to advance their work. Additionally, Lyda Hill Philanthropies has committed at least $1 million in discretionary research funding to support highly ranked applicants who were not selected as recipients.
A Milestone for San Antonio and Texas Innovation
“Dr. Hargreaves’s contributions to medicine exemplify the groundbreaking talent that San Antonio has to offer,” said [a representative, if applicable]. “We’re proud to see a local innovator celebrated on such a prestigious platform, further elevating our city’s impact on global research and healthcare.”
The selection process involved a committee of TAMEST members, Texas-based National Academies members, and endorsements from Nobel and Breakthrough Prize Laureates, cementing the awards’ prestigious status.
Looking Ahead
Applications for the 2026 Hill Prizes will open on May 1, 2025, offering another opportunity for Texas researchers to be recognized and supported in their pioneering endeavors.
For more information about the Hill Prizes and the work of Dr. Kenneth M. Hargreaves, visit tamest.org.
About TAMEST and Lyda Hill Philanthropies
TAMEST connects Texas’s leading minds in medicine, engineering, science, and technology to foster innovation. Lyda Hill Philanthropies advances science and nature for the benefit of future generations.
San Antonio continues to shine as a beacon of innovation, with local talent driving transformative change on a global scale.