In early May, the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry was brimming with excitement as Jennifer Doudna, renowned CRISPR pioneer and Nobel laureate from UC Berkeley, delivered the 2025 Kuggie Vallee Distinguished Lecture. Her presence generated an atmosphere akin to that of a rock star, drawing packed crowds eager to engage with one of the most influential figures in modern science.

Over three days, Dr Doudna inspired students and postdocs with her talk, "Adventures in Biochemistry with CRISPR: The ABC’s of a Career in Science;" led a dynamic roundtable discussion with Kikuë Tachibana, Danny Nedialkova, and institute faculty; and presented the highly anticipated Kuggie Vallee Distinguished Lecture, "The Chemistry of CRISPR: What's Ahead for Genome Editing." In her lecture, she explored the latest advancements in CRISPR technology and its potential applications in medicine and biotechnology. The auditorium was overflowing, with attendees eager to ask questions—so much so that Dr Elena Conti, who hosted the proceedings, promised similar discussions with future speakers.

To round out the week’s events, Dr Conti arranged two inspiring workshops with Dr Heike Hofmann, a coach specializing in enhancing presentation skills through body language training. The first workshop targeted students and postdocs, while the second focused on group leaders. Both sessions received enthusiastic feedback.

Dr Doudna’s schedule also included one-on-one meetings and dinners with faculty as well as additional lunches with students and postdocs, all of which provided ample opportunities for engaging discussions.

Jennifer Doudna’s presence left an indelible mark, reinforcing her status as both a visionary scientist and a compelling speaker. Kuggie Vallee herself would have been delighted to witness the inspiration she sparked in everyone.