Gary Ruvkun

Mike Matzinger

Gary Ruvkun, Eagle Scout Class of 1966, has devoted his career to uncovering some of biology’s most profound mysteries. In 2024, the molecular biologist and professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his co-discovery of microRNA — tiny molecules that help control our genes and influence everything from embryonic development to the progression of diseases such as cancer.

Ruvkun earned his Eagle Scout rank with Troop 1 in Piedmont, California, and credits Scouting with giving him the discipline, curiosity, and perseverance that became hallmarks of his scientific work. Through hiking, camping, and merit badge challenges, he developed an early comfort with problem-solving and a willingness to explore unfamiliar territory — skills that later translated seamlessly into the lab. The patience required to tie a perfect knot or navigate by compass mirrored the persistence needed to untangle the complexities of gene regulation.

After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1973 with a degree in biophysics, Ruvkun earned his Ph.D. from Harvard in 1982. In 1993, working alongside Victor Ambros, he identified microRNA, a previously unknown class of small RNA molecules that revolutionized our understanding of gene expression. Just as in Scouting, where small, carefully planned actions can have significant results, microRNAs demonstrated that minute biological elements can have sweeping effects on how organisms develop and function.

Professor Olle Kämpe, vice chair of the Nobel Committee, described microRNA as “a tiny molecule that has opened a new field in gene regulation.” Their discovery has illuminated how tumors can disrupt microRNA networks to grow, opening new avenues for cancer research and treatment.

Ruvkun’s journey reflects the core values of Scouting: preparedness, persistence, and service to others. His work has given humanity new tools to understand and combat disease, mirroring the Scout ideal of making the world a better place. From earning merit badges in his youth to earning science’s most prestigious award, Gary Ruvkun’s life shows how the foundations built in Scouting can lead to discoveries that change the world.