Abington Scientist Dr. Katalin Karikó, whose research proved crucial in the development of the first two COVID-19 vaccines, is featured among Forbes’ 50 Over 50, write Elana Lyn Gross and Lisette Voytko for Forbes.

Karikó immigrated from Hungary to Philadelphia in 1985 with her husband and daughter. The family stashed its entire savings that came out to $1,200 which was squirreled away in a teddy bear for safe-keeping.

While she has been focused on mRNA research for decades. She pioneered the revolutionary technology in the early 1990s, but continued to toil away in obscurity for years.

The 66-year-old scientist was even demoted from her position at one point, as her boss decided her technology was too nascent.

Today, she is receiving the recognition she rightfully deserves. She has been hailed a hero for her work that helped accelerate the development of both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines which have been distributed around the globe.

She also works as a biochemist and senior vice president at BioNTech, the company that helped develop the first COVID-19 vaccine.

Read more about Dr. Katalin Karikó in Forbes.