Dr. Rachel Karchin has been nominated for Nature’s 2025 Inspiring Women in Science Award. The prize is given to those who advance gender equity in science. In honor of International Women’s Day, Nature highlighted Rachel for her contributions to research and for her support for other women in the sciences in an article posted on their website.

Rachel was nominated by Jean Fan, who won the Award in 2019. Jean Fan is one of Rachel’s former students and is now a genomics researcher at Johns Hopkins. Fan discusses how Rachel’s influence ultimately inspired her career in science.

Jean Fan said:

“Rachel Karchin, who was my undergraduate research adviser at Johns Hopkins University, is a remarkable computational biologist whose mentorship transformed my trajectory but who might not have received all the recognition she deserves.

“More than a decade ago, as a first-year undergraduate with curiosity about computational research but no experience, I approached her for advice. Rachel welcomed me into her lab and treated me as a valued member of the team, guiding me through my first computational research project, sponsoring me to attend my first conference, and supporting me in applying for opportunities such as a ‘research experience for undergraduates’ summer programme that I would have otherwise considered out of reach.

“Few professors invest so deeply in undergraduate researchers, yet Rachel has repeatedly demonstrated how early mentorship can inspire lifelong journeys in science. Beyond her own important work towards the interpretation of genomic variants and identification of cancer driver mutations, many of her past protégés are now making their own contributions as well, myself included. Rachel is a role model for others in academia, underscoring the importance of cultivating talent and confidence in students from the beginning of their scientific journeys.”