As part of the President’s Excellence Program at Jerusalem Multidisciplinary College (JMC), a select group of outstanding students had the rare opportunity to meet Prof. Drew Weissman, 2023 Nobel Prize Laureate in Medicine and a pioneer of the RNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Prof. Weissman shared his personal journey with the students: “Many researchers told me I was wasting my time working on an RNA-based vaccine, but I was determined to stay the course.” He described how he and his research partner, Dr. Katalin Karikó, faced years of rejection and lack of funding. Despite these setbacks, they remained committed to their vision — and after 25 years, their persistence helped change the world.