Dawson Prize in Genetics
The Trinity College Dublin Dawson Prize in Genetics has been awarded since 2006 to geneticists of international prominence. The prize was established by a gift from George Dawson (1927-2004), the founder of the Department of Genetics at Trinity College.
In accordance with the wishes of Prof. Dawson, recipients of the prize give a public lecture and spend at least the equivalent of one day on the occasion of his/her visit in discussion with sophister and graduate students of the Smurfit Institute of Genetics.
The prize is presented in form of a gold miniature of the sculpture 'The Double Helix' by Brian King. The original sculpture can be found outside the Smurfit Institute, at the Lincoln Place entrance, wehre the Department of Genetics is based.
The latest Dawson Prize was awarded in April 2023 to Dr Katalin Karikó whose work includes the key scientific research underpinning RNA-mediated immune activation, and the development of modifications to mRNA that make it safe for use in vaccines. Her work was central to the technology used by BioNTech and Moderna to develop mNRA vaccines to target COVID-19. Until recently Dr Karikó was Senior Vice-president at BioNTech and holds an adjunct position at the University of Pennsylvania. She met with Genetics and Microbiology students where she told them about her 'winding road towards mRNA therapy', shared her life lessons and encouraged them to love what you do and do what you love. Dr Karikó also met Provost Linda Doyle and later gave a lecture to a full house where she continued inspiring the audience, young and old, as she expanded on her role in developing mRNA for therapy. Read more
Past recipients of the Dawson Prize:
| Year | Recipient | News Article |
| 2018 | Trudy Mackay | Read more |
| 2016 | Vishva Dixit | Read more |
| 2013 | Elliot M. Meyerowitz | Read more |
| 2011 | Corey S. Goodman | Read more |
| 2010 | Mary-Claire King | Read more |
| 2006 | Sir John Sulston | Read more |