Kathy Niakan

Kathy Niakan on Charles Wright Academy

Kathy Niakan is a prominent developmental biologist known for her pioneering research in the field of human embryology. She is particularly recognized for her work on the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology and its application to human embryos.

Early Life and Education

Kathy Niakan was born in Yale, British Columbia, Canada. She completed her undergraduate studies in Cell Biology at the University of British Columbia. She then pursued her PhD in Developmental Biology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she focused on the molecular mechanisms of early embryonic development.

Career

After completing her PhD, Niakan conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. She later joined the Francis Crick Institute in London, where she led groundbreaking research on the role of specific genes in early human development.

In 2016, Niakan became the first scientist in the UK to receive approval from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to use CRISPR-Cas9 technology on human embryos. Her research aims to understand the genetic factors that are crucial for the successful development of human embryos, which has significant implications for infertility treatments and miscarriage prevention.

Research Contributions

Niakan's research has significantly advanced our understanding of the early stages of human development. Her work with CRISPR-Cas9 has provided insights into the function of key genes during the first few days of embryonic development. This research is crucial for improving in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques and for developing new treatments for genetic disorders.

Awards and Honors

Kathy Niakan has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to developmental biology, including:

• The Lister Institute Research Prize
• The Wellcome Trust Investigator Award
• Election to the Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences

Personal Life

Niakan is known for her dedication to science and her commitment to advancing the field of human embryology. She is also an advocate for ethical considerations in genetic research and has participated in various public discussions on the topic.

See Also

• CRISPR
• Human embryonic development
• Gene editing
• In vitro fertilization