About Sam

Dr. Sam Sternberg is a leading biochemist and geneticist who has been at the forefront of the CRISPR revolution—the scientific breakthrough that allows scientists to precisely edit DNA. He is currently an Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at Columbia University, where he leads his own lab focused on engineering new genetic tools. Sam first gained recognition as a doctoral researcher in the Doudna Lab at UC Berkeley, where his work was fundamental to understanding how the CRISPR-Cas system works. He is credited with the key discovery and co-invention of the widely used CRISPR-Cas12a (or Cpf1) gene editing system, publishing his findings in prestigious journals like Nature and Science. Beyond the laboratory, Sam is a dedicated public voice in the ethics of genome editing. He co-authored the highly acclaimed book A Crack in Creation: Gene Editing and the Unthinkable Power to Control Evolution with his mentor, Nobel Laureate Jennifer Doudna. His work actively engages in public discussions on the responsible use of this technology, notably co-authoring an article proposing a moratorium (temporary halt) on editing the human germline (genes passed down to future generations) until its safety and societal impacts are fully understood. Though his scientific focus is often serious, Sam remains an accomplished musician, performing as a saxophonist and keyboardist in funk and tribute bands in his spare time.