Genentech names new vice president of research

In this newly created position, Ms Doudna will oversee the departments of protein chemistry and structural biology. Ms Doudna will be a member of the small molecule drug discovery senior leadership team and will participate in therapeutic RNA discovery efforts.

Ms Doudna joins Genentech from the University of California, Berkeley, where she has been a professor in the department of molecular and cell biology and the department of chemistry as well as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator.

Ms Doudna has received a bachelor of arts in chemistry from Pomona College in Claremont, California, and her PhD in biochemistry from Harvard University.

Mr Scheller said: “Jennifer is recognized internationally as one of the foremost experts in the structure and biological functions of ribonucleic acids (RNAs) and was a pioneer in developing a molecular understanding of catalytic RNAs. We are delighted to have Jennifer join the R&D leadership team. Her interests and expertise make her a vital addition to our ongoing drug discovery efforts.”