Renowned DNA Repair Researcher, Maria Jasin, Receives 2025 Pearl Meister Greengard Prize
Maria Jasin, a renowned scientist and investigator at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, was honoured with the prestigious Pearl Meister Greengard Prize on September 16, 2023, in New York City.
The international award, established by Paul Greengard, a Vincent Astor Professor at Rockefeller University, and his wife, Ursula von Rydingsvard, recognises outstanding women scientists. This year, Jasin was chosen for her critical contributions to gene editing, particularly her work on DNA repair in breast cells at various developmental stages and in different contexts.
Jasin's research has been pivotal in understanding the roles of tumour suppressor genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 in the development of breast cancer. Her discoveries have not only overturned previous assumptions about DNA repair in mammalian cells but also laid the foundation for developing gene editing as a tool for therapy. Michael W. Young, PhD, a distinguished scientist, stated that Jasin's work has been instrumental in this regard.
Jasin's laboratory has also elucidated the roles of BRCA genes in cancer treatment. One of her most significant discoveries was that chromosome breaks promote recombination, which allowed her to perform the first site-directed gene editing. This breakthrough marks the starting point for all later gene-editing programs.
The prize includes a $100,000 honorarium. Jasin will be presented with the award by Wendy Evans Joseph, an architect known for her work with public, cultural, and educational institutions throughout the country. Evans Joseph is also responsible for the infrastructure design for the Campus Community Bridge at Rockefeller.
Maria Jasin's research has transformed our understanding of cancers linked to inherited gene mutations. She received her PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and completed her postdoctoral training at the University of Zürich and Stanford University. Jasin is a member of the National Academies of Sciences and Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Jasin's work has been recognised not only for its scientific significance but also for its potential impact on human health. Her research has the potential to lead to new treatments for a wide range of cancers, making her an inspiring figure in the scientific community.
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