معرفی
Dana Ferraris is a Professor of Chemistry and the John Desmond Kopp Professorship in the Sciences at McDaniel College. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Johns Hopkins University and an MBA from Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. His academic home is in the Department of Chemistry within the School of Natural Sciences, where he teaches Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, and Modern Drug Discovery.
Education:
- B.A. in Biochemistry, Lafayette College, 1994
- Ph.D. in Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, 2000
- M.B.A., Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, 2009
Dana's research interests center on medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, with a focus on developing novel therapeutics for cancer and viral diseases. His work integrates industrial experience with undergraduate research, enabling students to engage in cutting-edge projects such as designing inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 and developing compounds for acute myeloid leukemia. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the full drug development pipeline, including cost, timeline, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
His recent publications highlight a strong trajectory in targeting viral macrodomains and PARP enzymes, using techniques ranging from high-throughput screening to structure-based design. These works reflect his expertise in bioorganic chemistry and translational drug development.
Scientific Awards and Honors:
- Charles A. Boehlke Jr. Engaged Faculty Fellows Award (AY 2018–2019)
- Scholarly Publications Award, McDaniel College (AY 2017–2018)
- Nora Roberts Award for Community Outreach (AY 2016–2017)
- John Desmond Kopp Professorship in the Sciences
- "You're a rockstar." – 2018 summer research group
Dana has mentored over 30 undergraduate students in research, many of whom have pursued careers in chemistry and medicine. He fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating students from biology, pre-med, and chemistry into his projects. He has established academic and industry partnerships and contributed to career development initiatives through the American Chemical Society, where he has served as a councilor and committee member. His lab emphasizes soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and scientific presentation.
Beyond the classroom, he co-owns Kismet Cafe and enjoys woodworking and bocce ball, reflecting a well-rounded engagement with both science and community.
