Drew Weissman, a notable American physician-scientist and Nobel Prize laureate known for his ground-breaking contributions to RNA biology, was born on September 7, 1959, in Lexington, Massachusetts. His groundbreaking work was crucial to the creation of mRNA vaccines, most notably the COVID-19 vaccines created by BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna.
Weissman is the head of the Penn Institute for RNA Innovation in addition to holding the prestigious title of the first Roberts Family Professor in Vaccine Research. At the esteemed Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn), he also teaches medicine.
Weissman and his respected research colleague, Katalin Karikó, have received numerous awards, including the famous Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award. Their groundbreaking findings in the realm of nucleoside base alterations paved the door for the production of very efficient COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.
Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2023 in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments.
They were bestowed with this prestigious award “for their discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.
Drew Weissman’s wife
Drew Weissman is married to Mary Ellen Weissman, sharing a life together beyond his remarkable contributions to science and medicine.
Drew Weissman’s children
Drew Weissman is a devoted father with two daughters, Rachel and Allison, who undoubtedly share his passion for science and discovery.
Drew Weissman’s parents
Although the names of his parents remain undisclosed, it is worth noting that Drew Weissman’s heritage reflects his Italian mother and Jewish father, a blend of diverse cultural backgrounds.
Drew Weissman’s siblings
Drew Weissman is a private individual, and throughout his public life and career, he has never mentioned or disclosed any information regarding siblings or family members.
