Mark Searcey

Mark Searcey is a Professor and Chair of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of East Anglia (UEA), part of the School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology. He has held leadership roles including Pro Vice Chancellor for Science (2019–2024) and Head of Pharmacy and Chemistry Schools. His academic journey includes positions at the Scripps Research Institute and University College Dublin, with a PhD from Hatfield Polytechnic (1989) and BSc from Loughborough University (1985).

Research focuses on targeting DNA and protein-protein interactions for therapeutics, including Holliday junction binding, PPI inhibitors, and natural product-inspired drugs. Key projects involve duocarmycin-based prodrugs, gold nanoparticle therapies, and Peptide Directed Ligand Design for flat protein surfaces. His lab is equipped for solid/solution-phase synthesis and explores antibiotic and cancer therapies.

He supervises students and leads projects funded by EPSRC, The Big C Appeal, and others. Notable collaborations include work on Nrf2/Keap1 interactions and P2X4 receptor modulation. The Searcey Lab is based at Norwich Research Park, with ongoing PhD opportunities in medicinal chemistry.