History of Drew Weissman in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 28, 2025

Drew Weissman is an American physician and immunologist renowned for his groundbreaking work in RNA biology. He holds prominent positions at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, including the Roberts Family Professor in Vaccine Research and director of the Penn Institute for RNA Innovation. Weissman's research has been pivotal in advancing mRNA vaccine technology, most notably contributing to the development of highly effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. His work has significantly impacted the field of vaccine development and public health.

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Full Timeline

September 7, 1959: Drew Weissman born

On September 7, 1959, Drew Weissman was born. He is an American physician and immunologist known for his contributions to RNA biology and mRNA vaccines.

Others born on this day/year

1977: Graduation from Lexington High School

In 1977, Drew Weissman graduated from Lexington High School, marking the end of his secondary education.

1981: Received B.A. and M.A. degrees from Brandeis University

In 1981, Drew Weissman received his B.A. and M.A. degrees from Brandeis University, where he majored in biochemistry and enzymology.

1987: Received M.D. and Ph.D. from Boston University

In 1987, Drew Weissman completed his graduate work in immunology and microbiology, receiving his M.D. and Ph.D. from Boston University.

1997: Moved to University of Pennsylvania

In 1997, Drew Weissman moved to the University of Pennsylvania to start his laboratory and study RNA and innate immune system biology.

2005: Published landmark studies on modified RNA

Beginning in 2005, Weissman and Kariko published landmark studies that used synthetic nucleosides to modify the RNA to prevent its degradation by the body, laying the groundwork for RNA therapeutics.

2006: Co-founded RNARx

In 2006, Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó co-founded RNARx with the objective to develop novel RNA therapies.

2020: Awarded the 2020 Rosenstiel Award

For their mRNA-related work, in 2020 Weissman and Karikó were awarded the Rosenstiel Award.

2020: Modified RNA technology used in COVID-19 vaccines

In 2020, the modified RNA technology developed by Weissman and Karikó became a key component of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, deployed worldwide.

2021: Awarded the Princess of Asturias Award

In 2021, Drew Weissman was awarded the Princess of Asturias Award in the category for Scientific Research.

2022: Awarded the Novo Nordisk Prize

In 2022, Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó were awarded the Novo Nordisk Prize for their contributions.

2022: Awarded Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, Jessie Stevenson Kovalenko Medal, Japan Prize, Robert Koch Prize, Tang Prize, Golden Plate Award, elected to National Academy of Medicine and American Academy of Arts and Sciences

In 2022, Drew Weissman received numerous accolades, including the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, the Jessie Stevenson Kovalenko Medal of the NAS jointly with Katalin Karikó, the Japan Prize, the Robert Koch Prize, the Tang Prize in Biopharmaceutical Science, the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement, and was elected to the National Academy of Medicine and American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

2022: Elected to National Academy of Medicine and American Academy of Arts and Sciences

In 2022, Drew Weissman was elected to the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, recognizing his significant contributions to the field.

2023: Awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

For their mRNA-related work, in 2023 Weissman and Karikó were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

2023: Received the Harvey Prize of the Technion in Israel

In 2023, Drew Weissman received the Harvey Prize of the Technion in Israel, awarded for the year 2021.

2023: Weissman receives Nobel Prize

In 2023, Drew Weissman, along with Katalin Karikó, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.