The Franklin Institute Awards Program was created in 1824 to honor the legacy of Benjamin Franklin, and it has since recognized over 2,000 scientists in fields ranging from chemistry to computer science. The selection committee considers nominees from all over the world, and the evaluation process typically takes at least two years. In 2022, Perelman School of Medicine professors Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó received the Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science. The award recognized their research on the use of mRNA delivery systems to prevent infectious diseases, which laid the foundation for the modified mRNA technology in COVID-19 vaccines.
