Drew Weissman is an American physician and immunologist renowned for his groundbreaking work in RNA biology, particularly his contributions to the development of mRNA vaccines. He holds prestigious positions at the University of Pennsylvania, including the inaugural Roberts Family Professor in Vaccine Research, director of the Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, and professor of medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine. His research has been instrumental in advancing the field of RNA technology and has had a profound impact on global health.
September 7, 1959: Birth of Drew Weissman
Drew Weissman was born on September 7, 1959, in Lexington, Massachusetts.
1977: High School Graduation
Drew Weissman graduated from Lexington High School in 1977.
1981: Brandeis University Degrees
Drew Weissman received his B.A. and M.A. degrees from Brandeis University in 1981, majoring in biochemistry and enzymology.
1987: M.D. and Ph.D. from Boston University
In 1987, Drew Weissman earned his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from Boston University, focusing on immunology and microbiology.
1997: Establishment of RNA Research Laboratory
In 1997, Drew Weissman moved to the University of Pennsylvania and established his laboratory to study RNA and innate immune system biology.
2005: Landmark Studies on RNA Modification
Beginning in 2005, Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó published landmark studies on using synthetic nucleosides to modify RNA and prevent its degradation, laying the groundwork for RNA therapeutics.
2006: Co-founding of RNARx
Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó co-founded RNARx in 2006 to develop novel RNA therapies.
2020: Rosenstiel Award and other Awards
In 2020, Weissman and Karikó were awarded the Rosenstiel Award, among other awards for their mRNA-related work.
2020: mRNA Technology in COVID-19 Vaccines
In 2020, Weissman and Karikó's modified RNA technology became a key component of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.
2021: Princess of Asturias Award
Drew Weissman received the Princess of Asturias Award in the category for Scientific Research in 2021.
2022: Election to National Academy of Medicine and American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Drew Weissman was elected to the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2022.
2022: Breakthrough Prize, Kovalenko Medal, and other Awards
In 2022, Weissman received the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, the Jessie Stevenson Kovalenko Medal, and several other awards.
2022: Novo Nordisk Prize
Weissman and Karikó were awarded the Novo Nordisk Prize in 2022.
2023: Harvey Prize
Drew Weissman received the Harvey Prize from the Technion in Israel in 2023 (awarded for the year 2021).
2023: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
In 2023, Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó were 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.
2023: Nobel Prize and other Awards
Weissman and Karikó received the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, among other awards, for their mRNA-related work.