Irwin Chaiken

Irwin Chaiken, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Drexel University College of Medicine. His research focuses on molecular mechanisms of protein interactions, particularly targeting HIV-1 envelope (Env) proteins to develop antiviral therapies. Chaiken holds a PhD from UCLA and an AB from Brown University.

Research: Chaiken's lab investigates HIV-1 cell entry mechanisms, designing peptidomimetic inhibitors and evaluating their efficacy for AIDS therapeutics, microbicides, and vaccines. Collaborations include institutions like Columbia University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Grants & Awards: Awarded the 2017 CURE Grant and a Campbell Foundation grant for HIV/AIDS research. His work on SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors during the pandemic was supported by Drexel's Rapid Response Fund.

Labs & Teams: Leads the Chaiken Research Group, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to advance virology, protein engineering, and drug development. Past students and postdocs include Andrew Holmes (2016) and Karyn McFadden (2011).