Thomas Südhof. Co-founder of synaptic biology research He discovered mechanisms of neurotransmitter release. His work transformed neuroscience and brain disorder research. In 1955, he was born in Germany. In 1975, he earned his MD from the University of Göttingen. In 1980, he began research that led to discoveries on synaptic vesicles. 1. Synaptic biology, the […]
Sean Parker. Co-founder of Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy He funds and supports cutting-edge immunotherapy research. His work accelerates new treatments for cancer patients. In 1979, he was born in the USA. In 2005, he co-founded the Parker Foundation to support biomedical research. In 2016, he co-founded the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy. 1. Parker
Noubar Afeyan. Co-founder of Moderna He co-founded a company pioneering mRNA therapeutics. His work transformed vaccine and therapeutic development. In 1962, he was born in Lebanon. In 1983, he earned his PhD in Biochemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 2010, he co-founded Moderna. 1. Moderna, a biotechnology company developing mRNA-based medicines. 2.
Patrick Soon-Shiong. Founder of NantWorks He develops advanced therapies for cancer and other diseases. His work combines medicine, technology, and data science. In 1952, he was born in South Africa. In 1980, he earned his MD from the University of Witwatersrand in Medicine. In 2004, he founded NantWorks to advance medical innovation. 1. NantWorks, a
Craig Venter. Founder of Celera Genomics He pioneered whole-genome sequencing. His work accelerated human genome research. In 1946, he was born in the USA. In 1975, he earned his PhD in Physiology from the University of California, San Diego. In 1998, he founded Celera Genomics. 1. Whole genome shotgun sequencing, a method to read DNA
Shinya Yamanaka. Co-founder of iPS cell technology He discovered how to reprogram adult cells into stem cells. His work revolutionized regenerative medicine. In 1962, he was born in Japan. In 1987, he earned his MD from Kobe University. In 2006, he developed induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). 1. iPS cells, a method to turn
Steven Quake. Founder of single-cell genomics He pioneered microfluidics and single-cell analysis. His work advanced personalized medicine and genomics. In 1969, he was born in the USA. In 1991, he earned his PhD in Physics from Stanford University. In 2007, he founded Fluidigm to commercialize single-cell genomics. 1. Single-cell genomics, a method to study DNA
Carl June. Co-founder of CAR-T cell therapy He developed CAR-T therapy to fight cancer. His work transformed immunotherapy for blood cancers. In 1953, he was born in the USA. In 1977, he earned his MD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 2012, he co-developed the first effective CAR-T therapy. 1. CAR-T
Jim Allison. Co-founder of Immuno-oncology therapies He pioneered immune checkpoint therapy for cancer. His work revolutionised cancer treatment. In 1948, he was born in the USA. In 1973, he earned his PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Texas. In 1994, he discovered CTLA-4 blockade for cancer therapy. 1. Immune checkpoint therapy, a method that
Daphne Koller. Co-founder of Insitro She pioneers the use of AI in drug discovery. Her work bridges computer science and biotechnology. In 1968, she was born in Israel. In 1995, she earned her PhD in Computer Science from Stanford University. In 2018, she co-founded Insitro. 1. AI-driven drug discovery, a method that uses machine learning
Uğur Şahin. Co-founder of BioNTech He advanced mRNA-based cancer immunotherapy. His work helped deliver rapid vaccine solutions. In 1965, he was born in Turkey. In 1992, he earned his MD from the University of Cologne in Medicine. In 2008, he co-founded BioNTech. 1. mRNA immunotherapy, a technology that trains the immune system to fight disease.
Robert Langer. Founder of modern drug delivery systems He transformed how medicines reach the human body. His work bridges engineering and medicine. In 1948, he was born in the USA. In 1974, he earned his PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Chemical Engineering. In 1976, he developed controlled drug delivery using polymer systems.
Frances Arnold. Inventor of directed evolution She pioneered a new way to engineer proteins. Her work changed chemistry and biotechnology. In 1956, she was born in the USA. In 1985, she earned her PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. In 1993, she demonstrated directed evolution for improving enzymes. 1. Directed evolution,
