Melissa J. Moore

Melissa J. Moore is an American biochemist who focuses on RNA. She is the Chief Scientific Officer of Moderna, where she helped lead the development of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

Melissa J. Moore
Born
New Market, Virginia, US
Spouse(s)Janet Kosloff
Academic background
EducationBS, Chemistry, 1984, College of William and Mary
PhD, Biological Chemistry, 1989, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
ThesisMercuric ion reductase: mutagenesis of n- and c-terminal paired cysteines and initial crystallization studies (1989)
Doctoral advisorPhillip Allen Sharp
Academic work
InstitutionsModerna
University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
Brandeis University

Early life and education

Moore was born and raised in New Market, Virginia[1] alongside three siblings.[2] After graduating from the College of William and Mary with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Biology, she earned her PhD in Biological Chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1989.[1] She wrote her thesis, "Mercuric ion reductase: mutagenesis of n- and c-terminal paired cysteines and initial crystallization studies,".[3] As a postdoctoral fellow, she invented technology to join long RNA molecules together under the supervision of Phillip Allen Sharp.[4]

Career

Brandeis University

Following her postdoctoral fellowship, Moore joined the faculty at Brandeis University in 1994 despite being recruited by Harvard University, Yale University, and Northwestern University.[5] Upon joining the institution, she was named a Searle Scholar and Packard Fellow.[6][7] She remained there until 2007, when she joined the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School (UMMS).[8]

UMass

Upon joining UMMS, Moore established her own laboratory to research pre-mRNA splicing and its connections to intracellular mRNA localization, translation, and degradation.[9] She also became a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator where she studied gene splicing and messenger RNA.[4] In 2011, Moore was the recipient of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology's William C. Rose Award[4] and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant for her project "siRNA-based Therapeutics for Preeclampsia."[10] Moore and her colleage Ananth Karumanchi received a second grant in 2013 to refine the therapy and test it in baboons.[11]

While conducting this research, Moore was appointed chief scientific officer of Moderna Therapeutics messenger RNA platform.[12] While serving in this role, she was elected to the National Academy of Sciences.[13] In January 2020, she was recognized with the 2021 RNA Society Lifetime Achievement in Science Award.[14] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Moore helped lead the development of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.[15] In December 2020, she addressesed the Food and Drug Administration advisory panel to consider recommending emergency use authorization of the mRNA-1273 vaccine.[2]

Personal life

Moore is married to Janet Kosloff and they have three children together.[2]

References
  1. "Melissa J. Moore". National Academy of Science. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  2. Eshleman, Tina (December 15, 2020). "THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE VACCINE". College of William and Mary. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  3. "Mercuric ion reductase: mutagenesis of n- and c-terminal paired cysteines and initial crystallization studies". Worldcat. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  4. "Scientific community recognizes UMass med school researcher, mentor". Eurekalert. April 7, 2011. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  5. Yemma, John (March 6, 1997). "Short history, high standing". The Boston Globe. Retrieved November 2, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  6. "Melissa J. Moore". Searle Scholars Program. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  7. "Melissa J. Moore: 1994 Fellow". David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  8. "UMass lures top talent". The Boston Globe. September 10, 2007. Retrieved November 2, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  9. "Melissa Moore, HHMI Investigator joins BMP Faculty". University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. April 3, 2009. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  10. "Melissa Moore wins Gates Foundation grant". University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. April 29, 2011. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  11. Johnson, Charles Y. (November 30, 2013). "Chance meeting leads to novel preeclampsia treatment". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  12. "Melissa Moore to join Moderna as chief scientific officer". University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. September 13, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  13. "Melissa Moore elected to National Academy of Sciences". University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. May 2, 2017. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  14. "2021 RNA Society Lifetime Achievement in Science Award". RNA Society. January 30, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  15. Bluestein, Adam (August 10, 2021). "How a Moderna scientist and her team pivoted to make a COVID-19 vaccine". Fast Company. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
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