Catherine L. Drennan

Catherine L. Drennan is the John and Dorothy Wilson Professor of Biochemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and an Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Her research focuses on structural and enzymological studies of metalloenzymes, particularly those involved in carbon monoxide metabolism, ribonucleotide reductase mechanisms, and radical-driven reactions. She leads the Drennan Lab, which combines X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, and biophysical methods to visualize enzyme action. She is affiliated with MIT's Department of Biology and has contributed significantly to understanding enzyme catalysis, cofactor delivery, and metabolic pathways.

Key research interests include the structural basis of enzymatic reactions in carbon monoxide dehydrogenase/acetyl-CoA synthase complexes, ribonucleotide reductase radical transfer pathways, and the role of metallochaperones in enzyme maturation. Her work spans biochemistry, structural biology, and enzymology, with a focus on metalloenzymes and their mechanistic insights.

Scientific contributions include over 15 highlighted articles from 2020–2024, focusing on structural biology, enzymology, and metalloenzyme mechanisms. Notable awards include her HHMI Investigator status. The Drennan Lab also emphasizes educational initiatives, developing resources for undergraduate science education and fostering inclusive research environments.