China-born gene-editing star scientist Zhang Feng recognised with top US prize

CRISPR-Cas9 pioneer presented with National Medal of Technology and Innovation in White House awards ceremony

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White House director of science and technology policy Arati Prabhakar (left) presents China-born MIT professor Zhang Feng with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. Photo: Ryan K. Morris

Published: 12:49pm, 10 Jan 2025Updated: 1:02pm, 10 Jan 2025

China-born biologist Zhang Feng has been awarded the United States’ highest honour for technological achievement in a ceremony at the White House, alongside eight other recipients.

Zhang, an MIT professor and a pioneer in gene-editing technology, received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in recognition of his work developing the revolutionary gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9.

According to the citation from the US Patent and Trademark Office, which administers the awards, the gene-editing technology has widespread applications in agriculture and health research.

“Zhang’s innovations are fundamentally transforming our collective health and well-being and have contributed to the development of treatments for sickle cell disease, cancer, type 1 diabetes, and more,” it said.

Established by Congress in 1980, the award recognises American innovators whose vision, intellect, creativity, and determination have strengthened the US economy and improved the country’s quality of life, according to a White House statement.

The medal was presented by the White House director of science and technology policy Arati Prabhakar, who also awarded the parallel National Medal of Science to 14 laureates this year.

CRISPR-Cas9 technology – which allows scientists to precisely cut and modify DNA at specific locations within a genome – was discovered by Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier in 2012.