When the world was grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, a relatively unknown scientist stepped into the spotlight—Dr. Katalin Karikó. Her groundbreaking research on messenger RNA (mRNA) technology became the backbone of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, which have saved millions of lives globally. But her journey to scientific acclaim was anything but smooth.
Katalin Karikó’s story is one of relentless perseverance, scientific integrity, and unshakable belief in her research, even when the world turned its back on her. This is not just a tale of scientific discovery—it’s a powerful narrative of hope, grit, and long-overdue recognition.
Nurtured by Modesty, Driven by Curiosity
Born in 1955 in Szolnok, Hungary, Katalin Karikó grew up in modest circumstances. Her father was a butcher, and her family lived without many of the amenities others might consider basic—no car, no refrigerator, not even running water for a time. Yet, from a young age, Karikó exhibited a keen interest in science.
She pursued her undergraduate and PhD degrees at the University of Szeged, focusing on biochemistry. After earning her PhD in 1982, she began her research at the Biological Research Centre in Szeged. However, with limited opportunities in Hungary and a desire to pursue more advanced research, she made a bold decision that would change her life.
Starting Over in America—with Just $1,200 Hidden in a Teddy Bear
In 1985, Karikó moved to the United States with her husband and young daughter, in search of better opportunities. Due to strict currency regulations in Hungary, she could only bring $1,200—smuggled inside her daughter’s teddy bear. It was a huge gamble, but one driven by passion and purpose.
She landed a postdoctoral position at Temple University in Philadelphia and later worked at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Maryland. Eventually, she joined the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) in 1989.
It was there that Karikó began her revolutionary work with mRNA—a molecule that carries instructions from DNA to the body’s cells to make proteins.
The mRNA Obsession—and Years of Rejection
Karikó was convinced that synthetic mRNA could be used to instruct cells to produce their own medicine—from vaccines to therapies for chronic illnesses like cancer or heart disease. But there was a problem: the scientific community was not convinced. Grant after grant application was rejected. Her ideas were dismissed as too risky, too radical, or too far-fetched.
At one point, in the 1990s, UPenn demoted her from a tenure-track position. Most researchers would have quit. Karikó thought about it too—but didn’t.
“I thought, maybe I’m not good enough, not smart enough,” she recalled. “But I just kept going.”
Meeting Drew Weissman: A Turning Point
Everything changed when she met Dr. Drew Weissman, an immunologist at UPenn, in the late 1990s. They began collaborating on mRNA research and focused on solving its most pressing problem: inflammation. Synthetic mRNA would trigger the body’s immune system, causing adverse reactions.
Together, they made a critical breakthrough—by modifying one of the building blocks of mRNA, they were able to prevent this inflammatory response, making mRNA safe for use in humans. Their 2005 paper, published in Immunity, went largely unnoticed at the time. Yet, it laid the foundation for the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines developed nearly two decades later.
Still, major pharmaceutical companies showed little interest. Karikó and Weissman patented their discovery, but UPenn sold the patent for a mere $300,000 and didn’t benefit from the eventual gold rush in mRNA technology.
From Obscurity to Global Recognition
Fast-forward to 2020. As COVID-19 spread rapidly around the globe, pharmaceutical companies raced to develop a vaccine. Thanks to the foundational work of Karikó and Weissman, BioNTech—a German biotech company co-founded by husband-and-wife duo Ugur Sahin and Özlem Türeci—partnered with Pfizer to develop one of the first mRNA vaccines. Moderna, a U.S. company, followed suit.
Katalin Karikó, who had joined BioNTech as a senior vice president in 2013, finally saw her life’s work come to fruition.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was granted emergency use authorization in December 2020. It was more than 90% effective and hailed as a scientific miracle. Suddenly, the world wanted to know: who was behind this technology?
Awards, Accolades—and a Nobel Prize
After decades in the shadows, recognition poured in. Karikó received numerous prestigious awards, including the Breakthrough Prize, the Lasker Award, and the Time Hero of the Year. In 2023, she and Weissman were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their pivotal contributions to mRNA technology.
In her humble acceptance, Karikó didn’t focus on the accolades. Instead, she emphasized the importance of resilience in science: “Failure is part of the process. If you have a passion for something, you must pursue it, even if the world tells you no.”
A Role Model for Future Generations
Today, Katalin Karikó is a symbol of perseverance in science, particularly for women and immigrants. She didn’t chase fame or fortune. She remained committed to her research because she believed in its potential to help people.
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