Brown names William A. and Ami Kuan Danoff Life Sciences Laboratories in recognition of generous gift

Sustained support for education and research

The Danoffs live near Boston and are strong supporters of Brown as the parents of Class of 2023 graduate Amelia Danoff. In recognition of a 2022 gift from the couple, the University named a new state-of-the-art residence hall completed in Fall 2023 theWilliam and Ami Danoff Residence Hall.

Ami Kuan Danoff, a former portfolio manager at Putnam Investments, is a founding partner and owner of the National Women's Soccer League's new Boston team, which will begin playing in 2026. She is also the co-founder and CFO of the Women's Foundation of Boston, a philanthropic organization that empowers women and girls through high-impact leadership and economic programs. William Danoff has managed the Fidelity Contrafund for more than three decades.

In addition to their engagement at Brown, the Danoffs have been longtime leaders, board members and philanthropic supporters of their alma mater, Harvard College, and of independent schools and higher education institutions that have educated and empowered their three children. They are also driven by the promise of science to solve human health challenges and save lives, William Danoff said - a factor not only in their support for Danoff Laboratories at Brown, but for scientific and research initiatives such as the Harvard Quantum Initiative in Science and Engineering.

Sergio Gonzalez, senior vice president for advancement, said the Danoffs' commitment exemplifies the remarkable spirit of philanthropy in Brown's community.

"With their leadership support, the Danoffs are creating new possibilities for the University and its partners," Gonzalez said. "The Danoff Laboratories will help to advance breakthrough research and prepare the next generation of leaders and innovators."

Recognizing the complexity of modern health and medical challenges, the Danoffs said they were eager to support a facility that will enable biomedical experimentalists, engineers, physicians, computer scientists, applied mathematicians, entrepreneurs and other scholars to collaborate on new solutions. As envisioned, the building will house four major research programs - cancer, brain science, immunity/ infectious disease and aging - with cross-cutting areas such as RNA technology, biomedical engineering and artificial intelligence embedded throughout its research floors. The facility will be located across from Brown's Warren Alpert Medical School and in close proximity to multiple other buildings home to Brown laboratories and/or research spaces for Brown's affiliated health systems.