Prize Recipients

The Kimberly Prize in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, made possible by Kimberly Querrey in honor of her late husband Lou Simpson, is awarded every year to a scientist who has made outstanding research contributions into the molecular basis of life with a direct demonstrated link of their discovery into clinic for the betterment of humankind. This annual prize is given by the Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics and administered by Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

2023

Jennifer A. Doudna, PhD

Jennifer A. Doudna, PhD, is the Li Ka Shing Chancellor’s Chair and professor in the Departments of Chemistry and of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. She is the inaugural recipient of the Kimberly Prize for her fundamental biochemical studies providing molecular insight into the function of CRISPR/Cas systems as tools for genome editing and the application of her work to biology and medicine. This powerful technology enables scientists to change DNA — the code of life — with a precision only dreamt of just a few years ago. Basic science laboratories and pharmaceutical companies worldwide have redirected the course of their research programs to incorporate this new tool, creating a CRISPR revolution with huge implications across biology and medicine.

In addition to her scientific achievements, Doudna is a leader in public discussion of the ethical implications of genome editing for human biology and societies and advocates for thoughtful approaches to the development of policies around the safe use of CRISPR technology.

Doudna has received numerous awards for her discoveries, including the Nobel Prize in Chemistry; Kavli Prize in Nanoscience; BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Biomedicine; Japan Prize; Warren Alpert Foundation Prize; Lurie Prize in Biomedical Sciences, and several others.