In 1954, the world’s first successful organ transplant took place at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in the form of a kidney donated from one twin to the other. At the time, a group of doctors and scientists had correctly theorized that the recipient’s antibodies were unlikely to reject an organ from an identical twin. One Nobel Prize and a few decades later, advancements in immune-suppressing drugs increased the viability of and demand for organ transplants. Today, over 1 million organ transplants have been performed in the United States, more than any other country in the world.
Marine scientists have long marveled at how animals like fish and seals swim so efficiently despite having different shapes. Their bodies are optimized for efficient aquatic navigation (or hydrodynamic) so they can exert minimal energy when traveling long distances.
CSAIL Alliances is excited to recognize Dr. Luis Muniz of Bayer as the recipient of the 2025 CSAIL Alliances Connector Award. As Bayer’s Director of Global IT External Partnerships, Dr. Muniz exemplifies what it means to be a Connector: a bridge-builder and strategic thinker who brings people together for real, measurable impact.