Dr. Katalin Karikó

Dr. Katalin Karikó is a Hungarian-American scientist whose research on messenger RNA (mRNA) helped develop COVID-19 vaccines. Her work focused on modifying mRNA to make itsafe and effective for delivering genetic instructions to cells, enabling the immune system to recognize and fight viruses. Despite many setbacks early in her career, her persistence led to breakthroughs that revolutionized vaccine technology. Her contributions are foundational to the mRNA vaccines used worldwide, saving countless lives during the pandemic. Dr. Karikó’s dedication has significantly advanced medical science and demonstrated the importance of perseverance in research.