Liberty Science Center Celebrated Innovation and Courage at 13th Annual Genius Gala
On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, Liberty Science Center celebrated its 13th annual Genius Gala, honoring four exceptional individuals for their extraordinary work in their respective fields. Honorees include biochemist Jennifer Doudna, tech entrepreneur Roya Mahboob, climate scientist Edgar McGregor, and digital artist Leo Villareal. The evening also included a special tribute to cardiac surgeon Dr. Margarita Camacho, as well as a musical performance by prodigy Jude Kofie.
The night kicked off with a cocktail reception complete with a red carpet where guests could pose with family and friends, and even a dinosaur or two if they were up for the thrill. Attendees were then able to experience an exclusive viewing of LSC’s Lift Off! Planetarium show, which is offered to the public during our daytime programming, prior to being seated for the main event of the night.
Around 7:00 pm, guests began to take their seats in the beautifully transformed Governors Hall for the main program of the night–the presentation of the Genius Awards. The space was complete with over 60 beautiful DNA double-helix centerpieces, 3D printed entirely in Liberty Science Center’s MakerLab by our STEM Innovation Team. The ceremony was introduced by Governor Philip Murphy, who welcomed guests and shared the history of innovation and technology in New Jersey, as well as a thoughtful introduction of the night’s honorees.
DNA double-helix centerpieces created by LSC STEM Innovation Team
Governor Murphy's opening remarks
“Tonight we celebrate the best of science… women and men who use science and technology to make the world a better place,” said LSC President and CEO Paul Hoffman. Hoffman shared some of Liberty Science Center’s record-breaking accomplishments of 2025, including the highest attendance ever recorded in one month at the center, and the longest consecutive hours for “LSC’s longest and craziest day ever!”
President and CEO of Liberty Science Center Paul Hoffman
The first award of the evening was presented to 24-year-old meteorologist Edgar McGregor, whose Facebook page “Altadena Weather and Climate” is credited with saving hundreds of lives during the Eaton fires of January 2024. “It warms my heart that I am able to help people,” said McGregor while accepting his award. The award was presented to McGregor by BMR Energy President and CEO Bruce Levy, an LSC trustee who was an Innovation Chair of the event.
Mayor Steven Fulop was then welcomed to the stage to introduce the inaugural “Courage in STEM” award to Roya Mahboob. “Roya Mahboob’s story is so inspiring that Liberty Science Center decided to create a new Genius Award in her honor, the Courage in STEM award,” said Mayor Fulop in his introduction.
Mahboob has championed women’s education and empowerment across Afghanistan and South Asia– often at a great personal risk. Despite death threats from the Taliban, she is one of Afghanistan’s first female tech CEO’s, as founder of Citadel Software. She is also the visionary behind the all-girl Afghan Dreamers robotics team, which was the inspiration behind feature film “Rule Breakers” and shown at Liberty Science Center. “I saw the power of technology and I just wanted to open the door for many other young girls who are curious. Every girl, no matter where they are born or where they grew up, has the talent and it's just about giving them access to the opportunities and technology,” said Mahboob in her acceptance speech.
Roya Mahboob accepting the Courage in STEM Award
After a short break for dinner service, guests were welcomed back to the evening’s programming with a performance by 13-year-old piano prodigy Jude Kofie. It is a tradition at LSC’s Genius Gala to include a special performance by a uniquely gifted group or individual. Jude spent the first 8 years of his life on supplemental oxygen and feeding tubes after being born prematurely, but after overcoming these health challenges, Jude taught himself how to play the piano and discovered his gift of perfect pitch.
Jude Kofie performing
To continue the celebration of the brilliant minds of the evening, Dr. Margarita Camacho received a special acknowledgement from the evening’s Platinum Chair Paul Fireman, former Chairman and CEO of Reebok International, and one of Camacho's many heart transplant patients: “Because of Dr. Camacho’s commitment to helping other human beings, I have a new lease on life. For that, I have no words to express my appreciation.” Dr. Camacho is a cardiac surgeon at Newark Beth Israel Hospital who has performed 750 heart transplants and inspired over 13,000 students through LSC’s acclaimed Live From Surgery and Meet the Surgeon programs.
LSC Trustee Nevins McCann and Dr. Margarita Camacho
Co-Chair of LSC’s Board of Trustees, David Barry, joined Paul Hoffman on stage to introduce Leo Villareal’s Genius Award. Villareal was presented with this award for his pioneering large-scale light sculptures and algorithm-driven artwork, some of the largest works of public art in the world. “These monumental public art works have the power to transform cities where they're installed. The projects are free for all to enjoy and bring this together around what I think of as digital campfires, they create a sense of luck and celebrate our connection to one another,” said Villareal while accepting his award.
Leo Villareal accepting the Genius Award
The final Genius Award of the evening was dedicated to Nobel Prize-winning biochemist and co-inventor of CRISPR gene-editing technology, Jennifer Doudna. Doudna’s revolutionary work in molecular biology has opened new frontiers in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology, with the potential to cure genetic diseases and reshape the future of human health. “What I’m really excited about is that I strongly believe we are on the verge of this technology becoming a standard of care, and something that is affordable,” said Doudna. “It’s going to take all of us to get it done.”
Dr. Jennifer Doudna accepting the Genius Award
Presenting Doudna’s Genius Award was Victoria Gray, the first patient to receive gene-editing therapy for sickle cell disease. Due to Doudna’s work, Gray has been symptom free for over 5 years. This presentation also proved to be incredibly touching, as this night marked the first time that Gray and Doudna had met in person. “It’s an honor to present this award to Jennifer Doudna. She is my hero,” said Gray, reflecting on the impact Doudna has had on her life.
Victoria Gray and Dr. Jennifer Doudna
To conclude the night of presentations, Paul Hoffman invited the audience to view an exclusive presentation of a new experience rolling out at LSC in the coming months—the handheld Tesla Phaser. A marshmallow was lowered from above the stage, and the phaser was used to dramatically, and quite effectively, toast the sweet treat. This served as the perfect segue into the dessert for the night: S’mores, of course!
Tesla Phaser
Although the presentation of the awards had concluded, the party was far from over. Guests made their way back downstairs to take part in the after party featuring a dance floor, s’mores station, speed chess, and great music provided by DJ Hesta Prynn.
Guests at the Genius Gala after party
The Genius Gala is Liberty Science Center’s premier fundraising event, and this night raised $3.1 million to support the Center’s STEM education programs for students, teachers, and families—particularly in underserved communities. Since its inception, the Gala has raised more than $28 million to expand access to world-class science learning.
Attendees included leaders in business, philanthropy, and academia. Paul and Phyllis Fireman served as Platinum Chairs. Innovation Chairs included Bruce L. Levy (BMR Energy), John H. and Regina K. Scully, Gregory Tusar (Coinbase), and Josh Weston (ADP).
The Co-Chairs were David Barry (Urby), Sheri B. Bronstein (Bank of America), Alma DeMetropolis (J.P. Morgan Private Bank), Clarissa Goncalves (ADP), Richard M. Hodosh (Atlantic Brain and Spine Institute), Stephen R. Howe, Jr., (Ernst & Young LLP), Laura Overdeck, (Bedtime Math), Chirag Patel (Amneal Pharmaceuticals), Al Reba (Bristol Myers Squibb), Anthony T. Skiadas (Verizon Communications), Caroline Tillett (Kenvue), and Timothy Tracy (EY).
