Meeting a Hero of Our Time: Dr. Jennifer Doudna’s Vision for CRISPR and the Future of Genome Editing

Meeting a Hero of Our Time: Dr. Jennifer Doudna’s Vision for CRISPR and the Future of Genome Editing

When we first began brainstorming keynote speakers for the Ecosystem Hub series, Dr. Jennifer Doudna, co-recipient of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was an obvious choice. But many thought, ‘It’s impossible—she’s too busy, she won’t be able to come.’ Well, we proved them wrong! Thanks to the hard work of Pattie Altizio Penelope Fernandes, our dedicated team Elisa Riedo Annette ‘Nina’ Gray @Susan Antón Jin Kim Montclare Jim Canary Nathalie Felciai Siddharth Garg, Marina Panina, and of course, Dr. Jennifer Doudna herself—we made it happen!

At the core of NYU ECOSYSTEM HUB is the mission to foster equity and creativity in STEM. One of our primary goals is to support, inspire, and retain women in STEM by connecting them with their role models. Dr. Doudna is a true superhero—her brilliance, dedication, and commitment to using science for the betterment of humanity make her an inspiration to us all.”

We were honored to hear her speak, and here are some standout highlights:

• CRISPR’s Evolution: From a bacterial defense mechanism to a precise genome-editing tool in just a decade.
• Accessible Innovation: Dr. Doudna’s commitment to reducing costs to make CRISPR therapies more affordable and accessible.
• Breakthrough Delivery: Pioneering Engineered Delivery Vehicles (EDVs) for in vivo CRISPR therapies, revolutionizing treatment options.
• Editing for Agriculture: Exploring CRISPR’s potential in agricultural applications and sustainability efforts.
• Medical Marvels: CRISPR therapies, like those for sickle cell disease, have transformed patients’ lives.
• Regulatory Advocacy: Promoting CRISPR as a platform technology to accelerate treatment development for rare diseases.
• Ethical Leadership: Highlighting the importance of responsible and ethical use of this transformative technology.
• Inspiration for Women in STEM: Dr. Doudna is a beacon of hope and a role model for women and girls pursuing careers in science.

 Dr. Doudna’s impact reaches far beyond the lab, addressing global challenges like rare diseases and climate change. Her journey exemplifies how curiosity-driven science can change the world, and her story inspires everyone—women, men, and future generations—to dream big and achieve groundbreaking success in STEM.

She’s truly our ‘Taylor Swift of STEM,’ empowering the next generation to believe in their power to change the world!”