Penn Nobel-Winner Given Ultimatum: Leave or Take Pay Cut

Hungarian researcher Katalin Kariko, who co-pioneered mRNA research at the University of Pennsylvania, was told to leave or accept a demotion and pay cut in 1995. Despite the setback, she continued her research and eventually partnered with Drew Weissman, leading to the development of mRNA technology that was later licensed by Penn to companies like BioNTech and Moderna for COVID vaccines. Kariko recently received a Nobel Prize for her contributions. Critics are questioning Penn's treatment of her, while Kariko herself emphasizes the importance of perseverance.