Darci Trader

Darci Trader is an Associate Professor at the University of California-Irvine (UCI) in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Her research integrates chemical biology and organic chemistry to discover small molecules targeting the proteasome and immunoproteasome, with a focus on cancer therapeutics and protein degradation. Previously at Purdue University, her lab moved to UCI in 2023. Key projects include developing proteasome stimulators for neurodegenerative diseases and immunoproteasome-based prodrugs.

Research interests span proteasome biology, targeted protein degradation, and small molecule drug discovery. Notable achievements include the NIH R01 grant for immunoproteasome research and the development of activity-based probes for proteasome monitoring. Awards and grants include the Showalter Research Award, Purdue Cancer Center grants, and fellowships for students like Christine Muli and Marianne Maresh.

Lab activities involve interdisciplinary collaborations, with studies on proteasome subunit binders (e.g., Rpn-6, Rpn-13) and the design of chimeric molecules for direct protein degradation. The lab has mentored numerous graduate students and postdocs, contributing to over 50 publications since 2016. Facilities include FRH 3003/3011 at UCI, with state-of-the-art equipment for biochemical and pharmacological research.

Recent work (2025) highlights breakthroughs in immunoproteasome prodrug strategies and ByeTAC molecules for bypassing E3 ligases in proteasome-mediated degradation. Ongoing efforts aim to translate discoveries into clinical applications for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.