Katalin Kariko
Personal Information
Born: 1955
Country of Birth: Hungary
Nationality: Hungary; USA
Ethnicity: White
Education
University of Szeged, Hungary BS Biology 1978; PhD Biochemistry 1982; Postdoctoral work at Temple University
Professional Life
Field of Study: Biochemistry
Institution/Corporation: Temple University; University of Pennsylvania; BioNTech; University of Szeged
Degrees & Memberships: Honorary Degrees: University of Szeged; Radboud Universiteit (2022), University College Cork (2023), Humanitas University (2021); Membership: National Academy of Medicine (2022), American Academy of Arts & Sciences (2022)
Awards & Achievements
Awards: Rosenstiel Award (2020); Széchenyi Prize (2021); Wilhelm Exner Medal (2021); Princess of Asturias Award (2021); Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize (2021); Albany Medical Center Prize (2021); Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award (2021);Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences(2022); Vilcek Prize for Excellence in Biotechnology; Time Magazine Hero of the Year 2021; Tang Prize Award in Biopharmaceutical Science (2022); Grande Medaille (2021); Golden Goose Award (2021); John Scott Medal (2021); Prince Mahidol Award (2021); German Future Prize (2021); Debrecen Award for Molecular Medicine (2021); BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award (2021); L Oreal-UNESCO for Women in Science Award (2022); Paul Ehrlich & Ludwig Darmstaedler Prize (2022); Vin Future Prize (2022); Jessie Stevenson Kovalenko Medal (2022); Japan Prize (2022); Pearl Meister Greengard Prize (2022); Canada Gairdner International Award (2022); National Inventors Hall of Fame (2023); European Inventors Award (2022); Dawson Prize in Genetics (2023); Keio Medical Science Prize (2022); Glamour s Women of the Year (2021); Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research (2021); Novo Nordisk Prize (2021);2023, co-winner Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine;
Achievements: Modified mRNA Technology Used in COVID-19 Vaccines; co-founder & CEO of RNARx (2006-2013)
Her patented technology was used by BioNTech & Moderna to develop their COVID-19 vaccines
She grew up in Hungary in a small home without running water, a refrigerator, or TV
During her primary education she placed 3rd in the country in a biology competition
1985, when her lab lost its funding she, her husband, & 2 year old daughter emigrated to the US, smuggling in $900 pounds in a teddy bear
Her research focus since 1989 has been on mRNA-based gene therapy
Her daughter, Susan Francia, is a 2 time Olympic gold medalist rower
Holds 16 patents
2023, co-winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine