Sandra Horbach, Steve Skoler, and Lulu Wang

Debra Black

Co-hosts Alan Alda (left) and Marc Tessier-Lavigne (right) with featured speaker David Allis (center)

Angela Lester, Roxy Zajac, and Mona Aboelnaga

Matthew Tierney, Dana Orange, and Andrew Gyenes

Karen & Marc de Saint Phalle

Carter and Tania Neild with Sven Borho

Rosanna Scotto, Howard Berkowitz, Betsy Perry, and Judy Berkowitz

Marnie Pillsbury, Bob Steel, and Mary Moran

Elyssa Friedland, Darren Anikstein, and Rebecca Anikstein

Sydney Shuman and Kathryn Murdoch

LeRoy Kim, Lindsey Boylan, and Marc Mayer

More than 400 guests attended the lecture in Caspary Auditorium

David Allis and Alan Alda

Amy Falls Rogers, Anthony Thompson, and Hope Smith

Alex Denner and Elie Hirschfeld

Honorees Jim and Marilyn Simons

Barbara Cohen, Alan Alda, and Mary Hynes

Rockefeller Professor Vanessa Ruta

Karen Levy and Tara Agroskin

Barry Coller and John Shapiro

Guests enjoyed a festive live auction

Sotheby's auctioneer Hugh Hildesley

On Tuesday, October 6, 2015, The Rockefeller University hosted its fourth annual CELEBRATING SCIENCE benefit lecture and dinner, sponsored by the Parents & Science initiative. President Marc Tessier-Lavigne and special guest Alan Alda co-hosted the evening, which honored James and Marilyn Simons.

This year’s featured lecturer was internationally renowned Rockefeller scientist C. David Allis, Ph.D., recipient of a 2015 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, who presented a lecture entitled, “Epigenetics Changes Everything: Revisiting the Nature vs. Nurture Debate.” Dr. Allis’s research has been especially important in the field of cancer biology. His investigations of epigenetic processes have led to a therapeutic breakthrough for certain leukemias and, more recently, to clinically relevant insights into the causes of specific classes of pediatric brain tumors.

Four hundred guests enjoyed an elegant tented dinner on the University’s esplanade following the lecture, where Alan Alda paid tribute to Jim and Marilyn Simons for their roles in transforming math and science education and advancing biomedical research. Through the initiatives of the Simons Foundation, founded in 1994, they are furthering the understanding and treatment of autism spectrum disorders and improving math and science education.

The evening raised over $2.2 million, including $200,000 from an auction conducted by distinguished Sotheby’s auctioneer Hugh Hildesley. The proceeds from this event support the Parents & Science initiative, which funds research on children’s health and development at Rockefeller, as well as the University’s Science Outreach Program.