Rachel Haurwitz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rachel Haurwitz
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Haurwitz in 2019
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Rachel Elizabeth Haurwitz
May 20, 1985 Austin, Texas, U.S.
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| Alma mater |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Biochemistry |
| Institutions | Caribou Biosciences |
| Thesis | The CRISPR endoribonuclease Csy4 utilizes unusual sequence- and structure-specific mechanisms to recognize and process crRNAs (2012) |
| Doctoral advisor | Jennifer Doudna |
Rachel Elizabeth Haurwitz, born on May 20, 1985, is an American scientist. She studies biochemistry and structural biology. Rachel is also the co-founder and leader of Caribou Biosciences. This company works on something called genome editing, which is like making tiny, precise changes to the DNA of living things.
Contents
About Rachel Haurwitz
Early Life and School
Rachel Haurwitz was born on May 20, 1985, and grew up in Austin, Texas. Her mom was an elementary school teacher. Her dad worked as a journalist who wrote about the environment.
Rachel started doing research on RNA, a molecule important for life, when she was in college. She went to Harvard College and earned her first degree there. In 2007, when she was 21, Rachel began her advanced studies at the University of California, Berkeley. She worked in the lab of Jennifer Doudna, a famous scientist. Rachel finished her doctorate degree in molecular and cell biology in 2012. She first thought about becoming a lawyer for science inventions, but she decided to stay in science instead.
Her Work at Caribou Biosciences
In 2011, Rachel Haurwitz and Jennifer Doudna started a company together called Caribou Biosciences. This company focuses on gene editing, which is a way to change genes. Rachel is the chief executive officer (CEO) and president of the company. She holds many patents for technologies that use CRISPR, a powerful gene-editing tool.
At first, the company was located in the basement of the building where Doudna's lab was. Caribou Biosciences helps bring CRISPR technology to use in healthcare and farming. Their scientists look for ways to solve big problems like bacteria that resist medicines, not enough food, and shortages of vaccines. The company has special permission to use Berkeley's CRISPR inventions. They work with companies that make medicines and farm products, as well as other research groups. In 2018, Rachel announced that Caribou Biosciences would focus more on medicine. They are now working on new ways to treat cancer by targeting tiny living things called microbes.
Hobbies and Interests
Rachel Haurwitz enjoys staying active. She is a long-distance runner and trains for marathons. She also likes to knit in her free time.
Awards and Recognition
In 2021, Rachel Haurwitz was chosen as a Bloomberg New Economy Catalyst. This program recognizes people who are making big changes in the world's economy. As part of this, she went to the annual New Economy Forum in Singapore. She also attended the Bloomberg New Economy Catalyst Retreat that same year.
See also
In Spanish: Rachel Haurwitz para niños
