Comments on Profile Post by ergopower

Her story is compelling, but it's not uncommon in the academic world. I've observed that academic promotions are often closely tied to the success of grants and research funding, which can sometimes be quite absurd. I deeply admire her persistent dedication to mRNA research.

Surely with a Nobel Prize there are prestigious universities that would now offer her tenure if U Penn won't

It's pretty much ALL about grants & funding - which is one of science's great conundrums, because to be truly innovative usually means moving outside current paradigms, but for a research proposal to be widely viewed as potentially successful usually means staying within them.

And now she's achieved great success outside academia, academia is irrelevant to her - which I'm sure is very satisfying. Honorary professorships anywhere she likes, but her company will attract such funding that she can keep doing what she wants.