Charles Nicholas Serhan

Charles Nicholas Serhan is the Simon Gelman Professor of Anaesthesia (Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology) at Harvard Medical School and Professor of Oral Medicine, Infection and Immunity at Harvard School of Dental Medicine. He serves as Director of the Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. Serhan joined the Harvard Medical School faculty in 1987 and has maintained an active research program for over 35 years.

Dr. Serhan's research has revolutionized our understanding of inflammation, demonstrating that its resolution is an active biological process rather than passive. His laboratory discovered new superfamilies of lipid-derived chemical mediators - Resolvins, Protectins, and Maresins - which stimulate resolution of inflammatory responses, reduce pain, clear bacteria, and stimulate tissue regeneration. His work established the field of resolution pharmacology, creating therapeutic approaches based on naturally occurring resolution pathways.

Dr. Serhan's publications reveal a consistent focus on inflammation resolution mechanisms, lipid mediators, and their therapeutic applications across cardiovascular disease, infection, and pain management. His research demonstrates how these specialized pro-resolving mediators function as endogenous anti-inflammatory signals that actively promote return to homeostasis.

Dr. Serhan has received numerous prestigious awards including:

• NIH MERIT award (2000)
• William Harvey Outstanding Scientist Medal (2008)
• AAAS Fellow (2011)
• International Eicosanoid Research Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award (2017)
• American Society of Investigative Pathology Rous Whipple Award (2018)
• Highly Ranked Scholar (Lifetime) #1 in Inflammation, Lipid, and Anesthesiology
• Highly Cited Researcher in Immunology and Pharmacology & Toxicology (2018-2022)

Dr. Serhan is a hands-on researcher who has trained over 60 fellows and trainees who have gone on to successful careers. He currently leads several major NIH-funded research programs, including 'Resolution Mechanisms in Acute Inflammation: Resolution Pharmacology' (P01-GM095467), and has maintained continuous NIH funding since 1987.