News
22 July 2026
Coral Keepers
Inside our coral spawning success. In the heart of the midwest.
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What makes life work?
By uncovering the secrets underlying fundamental biological processes, we can find innovative approaches to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease.
Foundational science. Profound implications.
Discovery
Foundational research is where cures begin. Discoveries resulting from studying the fundamental processes of life frequently prove to be major milestones toward novel therapies and treatments.
Innovation
World-class equipment and collaborative partnerships. Our researchers work side-by-side with experts in our Technology Centers. The unique model has catapulted the Institute to the forefront of innovative science.
Hope
We are dedicated to encouraging motivated individuals to pursue science or science-related professions — from our accredited Graduate School to our training programs for post-docs, post-bacs and undergrads.
25 Years of Discovery
The Stowers Institute is dedicated to the next 25 years of biological discovery. In the words of our founders, “The best is yet to be.” Learn how we are honoring the milestone and celebrating the future of biological discovery. Explore a timeline of the Institute's history, hear from founding members, and reflect on the vision of Jim and Virginia Stowers.
25 Years of DiscoveryStowers Institute at a Glance
$2B
Spent on research
500
Members
10
Acre campus
150
Ongoing research projects
Stowers Research Conferences: Ribosome Heterogeneity and Translational Control from Cells to Organisms
Join us for the fall 2026 Stowers Research Conference. Registration is now open!
Oct 21-23, 2026
Register nowOur unique funding model allows the freedom to explore the unexpected.
Transformational science requires the transformation of science. Through the unparalleled generosity and vision of our founders, Jim and Virginia Stowers, we have a scientific ecosystem that encourages discovery and innovation. Jim, founder of American Century Investments, and Virginia followed their initial generous investment by establishing a funding model that provides ongoing support of our research through the annual dividends from American Century Investments. Because of this structure, Stowers scientists are uniquely positioned to explore with freedom, and allowed the ability to follow biological avenues that lead to novel discoveries and to share their findings for the betterment of humanity.
The Latest News & Events
News
22 July 2026
BioBasics: What Is Symbiosis?
Dive into the biological basics of symbiosis, the close partnerships that allow different organisms to thrive together, and take a closer look at how a Stowers scientist explores the molecular conversations that make these relationships possible.
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News
17 July 2026
From philosophy to proteins: Stowers postdoc continues his HHMI Gilliam Fellowship in Kostova Lab
Evan Morrison, Ph.D., a Stowers Institute postdoctoral researcher and a 2021 recipient of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Gilliam Fellowship, followed an unconventional path into biological research, and continues his HHMI fellowship at the Stowers Institute researching how cells identify defective ribosomes.
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News
10 July 2026
The Long Game: Why foundational discovery is a shot worth taking
At the Stowers Institute, scientists are playing the long game for human health—pursuing foundational discoveries whose greatest impact may unfold over generations.
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What if...?
30 June 2026
What if solving one of biology's oldest mysteries could help shape the future of medicine?
The third story in the Institute's 'What If?' series follows Assistant Investigator Arvind Pillai, Ph.D., explores one of biology's deepest unanswered questions: How does evolution create something entirely new? By reconstructing ancient proteins that disappeared hundreds of millions, even billions, of years ago, Pillai's lab is uncovering the principles that gave rise to life's molecular machinery. Those same principles could one day help scientists engineer entirely new proteins capable of delivering drugs and treating disease. Discover how a lifelong fascination with nature's complexity became a scientific pursuit that stretches from Earth's distant past to the future of medicine.
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News
25 June 2026
Three athletic feats that other creatures can do — but soccer players can't
Kansas City is one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. We're highlighting a few research organisms whose natural abilities would amaze even the most elite athletes.
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News
25 June 2026
Stowers Postdoc honored with Wellcome Early-Career Award
The highly competitive award will help Helen R. Horkan, Ph.D., a Stowers Institute postdoctoral researcher, take the first steps to launch her independent research program at the University of Exeter in the UK.
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News
24 June 2026
Stowers Postdoc honored with prestigious Jane Coffin Childs Fellowship
The award will support Kira Marshall, Ph.D., a Stowers postdoctoral researcher, as she investigates coral reproduction and how reproductive systems evolve across species.
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In The News
23 June 2026
Julia Zeitlinger Will Deliver Porter Lecture At The Marine Biological Laboratory
From The Enterprise, The Marine Biological Laboratory announces that Julia Zeitlinger, investigator at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, will present this year’s Porter Lecture
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Our Organisms
Answers to fundamental questions of biology can be found by turning to nature. From mice, fruit flies, yeast, and bacteria, to plants, planarians, sea anemones, coral, killifish, apple snails, and more, a broad range of research organisms reside at the Institute.
Cared for by dedicated teams of technicians, each was carefully chosen based on their ability to solve specific biological questions — aiding in advancing our understanding of how life works.
Learn more about our organisms and their extraordinary biological feats.
Defining New Frontiers
Kansas City: born from a spirit of discovery
Incredible science comes from curious and creative minds. Our bold and innovative approach to research is the perfect match for the dynamic culture and profound pride you’ll find in Kansas City. Similar to the Stowers Institute, Kansas City is pushing boundaries. An incredible food and music scene, world-class art institutions, and championship sports teams are just a few of the great attributes that set KC apart. See why we’ve chosen the heart of the country as our home.