Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett and Dr. Katalin Kariko’: important contributors to the development of mRNA vaccines

As I hiked up the Salmon Creek trail with my neighbor Chet, he thought out loud about the new antibodies being produced in his body. He imagined them multiplying – making him stronger as he made the long climb to the ridge top.

DNA was all around us. The code responsible for life’s diversity was showing off that day: the birdsongs that serenaded us as we hiked and the wildflowers that greeted us along the trail just to name a few.

With the outdoor mask mandate lifted, we were free to breathe in the fresh air. We were able to converse with our fellow hikers in a more relaxed fashion. A young couple (with dog) training for a big hike sat down with us and took off their boots – just to chat, but not before informing us that they were “fully protected – vaccinated.”

As a science teacher, I loved teaching the beauty of protein synthesis and the role of mRNA in its intricate dance.

Thank you Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett. Thank you Dr. Katalin Kariko’. And to all the others, thank you. Thank you for your love of science, for your discipline and for your hard work.

The hike from the Salmon Creek trailhead to the ridge top at Lion’s Den was a long one: six miles and 3,200 feet of climbing. The return via Silver Peak was even more challenging. Chet was not complaining. Not one bit. He had science on his side. In fact, he had science on his insides!

When Dr. Katalin Kariko’ first heard about the efficacy of the vaccine she helped develop, she celebrated by eating a bag of “Goobers”. When Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett heard the news, she cried.

The day after returning from the hike, my daughter asked if Karen and I could pick up her best friend at the airport. We said, “Sure!” My daughter’s friend is a special person – all people are special – but this young lady played an important role in my daughter’s life. When we saw her, we gave her a hug. She was the first person other than my wife that I had hugged in over a year. Now I am the one who is crying. I think I’ll go eat some Goobers.

(Originally published on May 10, 2021)