Peter McCormick

Professor Peter McCormick is a leading academic at the University of Liverpool, specializing in G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) research and drug discovery. He previously served as Deputy Dean of Global Engagement at Queen Mary University of London's Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, where he spearheaded a PhD program in AI and drug discovery. His career spans roles at institutions including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the Spanish government-funded Ramon y Cajal fellowship. McCormick's research focuses on GPCR oligomerization, heterodimerization, and their roles in diseases like cancer, obesity, and neurodegenerative disorders. Key achievements include pioneering studies on GPCR trafficking mechanisms and developing disruptive peptides to target receptor complexes.

Education:

• Bachelor's in Chemistry and French from Washington University in St. Louis.
• PhD in Biochemistry and Biophysics from Texas A&M University.
• Postdoctoral training at NIH and NCI.

Research Interests:

• GPCR signaling and drug targeting.
• Mechanisms of membrane protein biogenesis.
• Therapeutic applications for pancreatic cancer and Huntington's disease.
• AI-driven drug discovery methodologies.

Scientific Contributions:

• First demonstrated transmembrane protein formation in ribosomal tunnels.
• Pioneered use of proximity ligation assays for GPCR complex identification.
• Developed disruptive peptides to study receptor function without ablating individual receptors.

Awards:

• Ramon y Cajal Fellowship (Spanish Government).
• Fellowship from the Irving Institute.
• NCI Director's Award.

Teaching:

• Oversees Biomedical Sciences & Translational Medicine research projects at Liverpool.
• Focuses on training next-generation researchers in drug discovery and translational medicine.