Jennifer Darnell is a retired associate research professor at the Rockefeller University and an honorary professor at the University of Edinburgh. During the course of her scientific career, Darnell focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in fragile X syndrome, the most common monogenic cause of intellectual disability and autism.

Darnell is a current board member for the Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain at The University of Edinburgh. She also serves on the board of trustees for the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL), a research facility that provides logistical support for scientists and students, including access to living quarters, research laboratories and protected research sites to accelerate discoveries about the local ecosystems that are critical to replenishing the world’s air, water and food supply.