Caltech’s legendary President. RIP
Rest in peace, David Baltimore.
Dr. David Baltimore, Nobel Prize–winning biologist, was one of the most influential scientists of our time. His work reshaped modern molecular biology and immunology, altering our understanding of viruses and immune responses and laying the foundation for advancements in gene therapy, cancer research, and vaccine development. His influence extended far beyond the lab: through his leadership at major research institutions and his guidance of scientific inquiry, he helped shape the very landscape of modern biology.
I photographed Dr. Baltimore on November 2, 2021, at Caltech’s Athenaeum, a setting befitting his legacy. Our conversation was wide-ranging, touching on molecular biology, the evolving challenges of university administration, and the responsibilities of scientific leadership in a rapidly changing world. His insights carried the weight of experience, tempered by a continued passion for discovery and mentorship.
We sat for portraits beneath his own painted likeness in the Athenaeum, a moment that highlighted his enduring impact. Later, in the shadowed reading room, surrounded by art and the quiet weight of history, his presence felt both scholarly and deeply reflective. The setting underscored not just his scientific contributions but also his role as a custodian of knowledge, someone who expanded the frontiers of biology and ensured that those who followed would have the tools and guidance to push them further.
Dr. Baltimore’s contributions to virology and immunology will remain central to the foundations of modern biomedical science. His leadership at Caltech and beyond influenced generations of researchers, making him a pivotal figure in both scientific discovery and institutional stewardship. His life’s work is a reminder that science is both a pursuit of knowledge and a responsibility, one that demands vision, integrity, and a commitment to the generations that inherit its discoveries. explorers.com/david-baltimor…
@theNASEM @NobelPrize @theNASciences @Caltech
Zhi Yang retweeted
Rest in peace, David Baltimore.
Dr. David Baltimore, Nobel Prize–winning biologist, was one of the most influential scientists of our time. His work reshaped modern molecular biology and immunology, altering our understanding of viruses and immune responses and laying the foundation for advancements in gene therapy, cancer research, and vaccine development. His influence extended far beyond the lab: through his leadership at major research institutions and his guidance of scientific inquiry, he helped shape the very landscape of modern biology.
I photographed Dr. Baltimore on November 2, 2021, at Caltech’s Athenaeum, a setting befitting his legacy. Our conversation was wide-ranging, touching on molecular biology, the evolving challenges of university administration, and the responsibilities of scientific leadership in a rapidly changing world. His insights carried the weight of experience, tempered by a continued passion for discovery and mentorship.
We sat for portraits beneath his own painted likeness in the Athenaeum, a moment that highlighted his enduring impact. Later, in the shadowed reading room, surrounded by art and the quiet weight of history, his presence felt both scholarly and deeply reflective. The setting underscored not just his scientific contributions but also his role as a custodian of knowledge, someone who expanded the frontiers of biology and ensured that those who followed would have the tools and guidance to push them further.
Dr. Baltimore’s contributions to virology and immunology will remain central to the foundations of modern biomedical science. His leadership at Caltech and beyond influenced generations of researchers, making him a pivotal figure in both scientific discovery and institutional stewardship. His life’s work is a reminder that science is both a pursuit of knowledge and a responsibility, one that demands vision, integrity, and a commitment to the generations that inherit its discoveries. explorers.com/david-baltimor…
@theNASEM @NobelPrize @theNASciences @Caltech
It’s great to see our @RapeLab paper being highlighted @CellChemBiol . Thank you @LanderLab for your comments!!
Silencing stress: Structural insights into ISR termination by the SIFI ubiquitin ligase dlvr.it/TM03Rt
Our SIFI story just came out! Great teamwork @DianeHaakonsen, Michael Heider, Sam Witus from the @RapeLab and our collaborator Alex Zelter at UW.
nature.com/articles/s41586-0…
Congratulations Pamela!!! @bjorkmanlab @Caltech
‘For pioneering innovative strategies to overcome viral defenses through novel antibody-focused approaches.’: Pamela Bjorkman, Wolf Prize Laureate in Medicine 2025, has revolutionized our approach to viral defense with her novel, antibody-focused strategies.
Join us in celebrating her groundbreaking impact!
@Caltech
#Medicine #wolfprize2025 #wolfprizelaureate #wp2025medicine #wp2025
Zhi Yang retweeted
Please consider making a contribution to this special fund that will be used by Caltech and JPL to directly support affected individuals and their families greatly impacted by this week's devastating fires in Southern California.
giving.caltech.edu/areas-to-…
Zhi Yang retweeted
In response to this week's devastating Eaton Fire, we have established the Caltech and JPL Together Relief Fund to support our affected colleagues. Please consider making a contribution to this special fund. Thank you from all of us at Caltech. ow.ly/cmTt50UEwFK
One form of joy in life is to surround yourself with a group of brilliant people, and work on something interesting. Great teamwork guys @DianeHaakonsen , @heider_mic97943 @SamWitus
Very excited to present the structural and mechanistic basis for stress response silencing by the monster E3 ligase SIFI.
biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/…
Zhi Yang retweeted
The Hoffmann lab is thrilled to announce that we are now a part of the @GladstoneInst! We are so grateful for the opportunity to continue our research among such talented and influential scientists.
Magnus Hoffmann opened his lab at Gladstone Institutes earlier this year with a mission to create a vaccine platform that provides long-lasting immune protection against a wide range of pathogens.
Read more: bit.ly/4hDlmzm
Zhi Yang retweeted
Highly successful day 2 of the #MolecularTherapeutics
-@genentech symposium. Many @berkeleyMCB students and postdocs visited Genentech's beautiful campus, shared their research and discussed career goals & opportunities.
Thank you @berkeleyMCB #MolcularTherapeutics faculty @RobertoZoncu and @RapeLab for organizing the annual symposium and a trip to @genentech , it was a great learning experience for us!
Manuscript submissions are open for our Special Issue, “Neutralizing Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and HIV” mdpi.com/si/151104 #mdpivaccines via @MDPIOpenAccess
I nominated him 4 times in the past, Jensen Huang is finally going to be our Commencement Speaker!! This is going to be great! 😃
Jensen (Jen-Hsun) Huang, Founder and CEO of @nvidia will deliver the keynote address at Caltech's 130th Annual Commencement Ceremony on June 14, 2024.
caltech.edu/about/news/nvidi…
Zhi Yang retweeted
Caltech researchers, led by Professor Pamela Björkman, have imaged an elusive HIV protein structure at the atomic scale, offering unprecedented insights into the HIV infection process. #WorldAIDSDay2023
caltech.edu/about/news/imagi…
Vamos vamos, Kim! 🥳🥳
🔬 Exciting findings in our latest publication out in @nature! This work delves into the dynamic world of HIV-1 envelope structures, revealing distinct conformational changes during host receptor (CD4) engagement. 🧬💡
Zhi Yang retweeted
#LaskerLaureate Alexander Varshavsky was born #OTD. He was honored for the discovery and recognition of the significance of the #ubiquitin system for #proteindegradation, a fundamental process that influences a myriad of cellular events. @Caltech ow.ly/GVTO50C96lX
Zhi Yang retweeted
Learn more on how the EABR technology is revolutionizing vaccination efforts: caltech.edu/about/news/new-v…
Kudos to our team @Caltech and collaborators! @bjorkmanlab @yangzcit
Check out the @CellCellPress paper for more details. 📚 #Vaccines #Innovation
Zhi Yang retweeted
"It’s an audacious concept, with world-changing benefits should such orbiting solar power plants ever be built."
Read @TIME Magazine's coverage of the news of Caltech's Space Solar Power Project's recent results:
time.com/6283990/scientists-…
Zhi Yang retweeted
We're thrilled to share that our work describing the innovative EABR technology has been published in @CellCellPress! This has the potential to revolutionize vaccine development & help us fight against #COVID19 & other diseases!
A great collaboration with the @bjorkmanlab!
Now online! ESCRT recruitment to SARS-CoV-2 spike induces virus-like particles that improve mRNA vaccines dlvr.it/SmrjQy
























