Jennifer Doudna
PersonAbout
Jennifer Doudna is a renowned American biochemist born on February 19, 1964, in Washington, D.C. She is best known for co-discovering the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing tool alongside French microbiologist Emmanuelle Charpentier. This breakthrough, announced in 2012, revolutionized genome engineering by allowing precise and efficient editing of DNA sequences. Doudna's work has far-reaching implications across medicine, agriculture, and basic research. She received her bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Pomona College in 1985 and a Ph.D. in biological chemistry and molecular pharmacology from Harvard Medical School in 1989. Doudna is a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and holds the Li Ka Shing Chancellor’s Chair in Biomedical and Health Sciences. She founded the Innovative Genomics Institute and has co-founded several companies leveraging CRISPR technology. Doudna and Charpentier were awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their pioneering work. She is a leading voice in discussions about the ethical implications of gene editing and has received numerous honors, including the Gruber Prize in Genetics and the Canada Gairdner International Award. Her contributions have made her one of the most influential figures in modern biotechnology.
