Immigrant Impact Spotlight: Celebrating the People Powering America’s Progress

🧬 Science: “From Lab to Life”

*Peggy Peterson Photography, courtesy Penn Medicine

Spotlight: Dr. Katalin Karikó (Hungary → USA)

Behind every medical breakthrough, there are years—sometimes decades—of unseen labor.  At the foundation of one of the most important scientific developments of the 21st century is Dr. Katalin Karikó, a Hungarian-born immigrant whose research helped make mRNA vaccines possible.  Her persistence changed the course of global health.

Born in Szolnok, Hungary, Katalin Karikó began her scientific career during a time of limited resources and political constraints.  In the 1980s, she immigrated to the United States with her husband and young daughter, carrying just $1,200 hidden in a teddy bear.  She joined the University of Pennsylvania as a researcher, where she would spend decades working in relative obscurity on messenger RNA (mRNA) technology—an idea many in the scientific community dismissed at the time.

“When you work in science, perseverance is the only constant,” she said.

Despite repeated setbacks, funding cuts, and professional rejections, Dr. Karikó remained committed to the potential of mRNA.  Her breakthrough came in collaboration with Dr. Drew Weissman, when they discovered a method to deliver synthetic mRNA without triggering a dangerous immune response.  This innovation laid the foundation for the rapid development of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.

The impact of her work is immeasurable.  By enabling the development of safe and effective vaccines in record time, Dr. Karikó’s research helped save millions of lives during the COVID-19 pandemic and opened new pathways in the treatment of infectious diseases, cancer, and more.

Although her scientific achievements remained unrecognized for many years, she received widespread acclaim later in her career.  In 2023, she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, becoming one of the few women and immigrants to receive that honor.

Dr. Karikó’s journey—from a modest lab in Hungary to a Nobel Prize-winning scientist—is a testament to the vital role immigrants play in American innovation.  Her work has not only transformed science, but also proven how one determined mind can influence the health of an entire planet.
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Did You Know?

The mRNA vaccines that helped curb the COVID-19 pandemic were built on decades of research by immigrant scientists like Dr. Katalin Karikó.  Her work continues to shape the future of medicine—from personalized cancer treatments to next-generation vaccines.

If you have questions about your visa status or if you are an employer exploring immigration options, we are here to help.  At the Law Office of Julia L. Stommes, we are committed to helping individuals and businesses navigate complex legal landscapes.
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