James K Bashkin

James K Bashkin is a Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL), where he has been since 1999. He holds a B.A. in Chemistry from the University of California, Irvine (1975–1977) and a D.Phil. in Chemistry from Oxford University (1977–1982). Prior to UMSL, he served as an Assistant Professor at Washington University in St. Louis (1991–1999) and held positions at Monsanto Corporate Research, Pharmacia, and Pfizer. His research focuses on antiviral agents, drug discovery, nucleic acids, and smart materials. His work emphasizes green chemistry principles and the design of small-molecule therapeutic agents targeting viral DNA and cancer mechanisms.

Education:

• B.A. in Chemistry, University of California, Irvine (1975–1977)
• D.Phil. in Chemistry, Oxford University (1977–1982)

Research Interests:

Bashkin's research spans applied biochemistry, antiviral and anticancer drug design, and inorganic/organometallic chemistry. He investigates DNA binding mechanisms using polyamides to target viral and cancer-related genetic sequences, with recent work emphasizing kinetic analysis of DNA-polyamide interactions and smart materials development. His interdisciplinary approach integrates organic synthesis, biochemistry, and pharmacology.

Grants & Advising:

While specific grants are not detailed in the text, his research indicates sustained funding from NIH (postdoc training) and industry collaborations. He advises students in medicinal chemistry and drug design, though no student names are listed here.

Labs/Teams:

Bashkin’s lab focuses on polyamide-based drug discovery and DNA-targeted therapies. Collaborations include work with Pfizer and academic institutions like Washington University.