joe.bartucca@claremont.edu

Jennifer Doudna is a Nobel Prize-winning biochemist who has transformed the landscape of modern science through her groundbreaking work in gene editing. In 2012, she and her collaborator, Emmanuelle Charpentier developed CRISPR/Cas9, a genome-editing technology inspired by a bacterium’s immune system that acts as "genetic scissors." Their discovery enables scientists to modify DNA with unprecedented precision, offering powerful new tools for treating cancer, advancing agriculture, and potentially curing inherited diseases. In recognition of this work, Doudna and Charpentier received the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, with the committee citing CRISPR’s revolutionary impact on the life sciences. As a [...]

Abasi Ene-Obong was featured on Fortune's 40 Under 40 list in 2020 for the category of healthcare. He has dedicated his career to medical research with a focus on Africa, and specifically the field of genetic research. In genome studies, people of African descent make up only 3% of the genetics included in research, despite the continent of Africa having rich genetic diversity. Abasi believes that with better representation of African ancestry in medical research, it will create better medical care for all. In a recent interview, Abasi shared the role KGI played in giving him the tools [...]