Photo: Duncan.Hull / CC BY-SA 4.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Born on February 19, 1964 in Washington, D.C., United States, Jennifer Doudna is a biochemist, molecular biologist and university teacher. As of 2026, Jennifer Doudna is 62 years old. Schooling on record includes Hilo High School and Harvard University. Awards on record include Princess of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research (2015), Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences (2015), Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research (2014) and 5 more. Credited works include Jennifer Doudna: We can now edit our DNA. But let's do it wisely.
My Take
Doudna is, to me, less a celebrity than one of the people who quietly bent the arc of human history. From Washington and a Hawaiian high school to Harvard and the CRISPR breakthrough that earned her the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, her trajectory is staggering. But what truly earns my respect is her insistence that because we can now edit DNA, we must do it wisely. A scientist who hands you a god-like tool and simultaneously warns you of its danger is showing real intellectual maturity. The trophies are impressive; her humility about that power impresses me more.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Jennifer Doudna
- Name (Japanese)
- ジェニファー・ダウドナ
- Reading
- じぇにふぁー・だうどな
- Born
- February 19, 1964 (age 62)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Pisces / Dragon
- Origin
- Washington, D.C., United States
- Occupation
- biochemist / molecular biologist / university teacher / chemist / crystallographer
2. Background
- High school
- Hilo High School
- University
- Harvard University
Awards & achievements
- 2015 Princess of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research
- 2015 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences
- 2014 Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research
- 2015 Gruber Prize in Genetics
- 2016 Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize
- 2016 Dickson Prize in Medicine
- 2016 Canada Gairdner International Award
- 2016 Dr H.P. Heineken Prize for Biochemistry and Biophysics
3. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Jennifer Doudna: We can now edit our DNA. But let's do it wisely | — |
4. Links
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-18
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Jennifer Doudna born?
Born February 19, 1964 (age 62).
Where is Jennifer Doudna from?
Jennifer Doudna is from Washington, D.C., United States.
What does Jennifer Doudna do?
Jennifer Doudna works as biochemist, molecular biologist, university teacher, chemist, crystallographer.
What is Jennifer Doudna known for?
Notable works include Jennifer Doudna: We can now edit our DNA. But let's do it wisely.
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