Jonathan S. Dordick

Jonathan S. Dordick serves as Institute Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), with joint appointments in Biomedical Engineering and Biological Sciences. He holds multiple leadership roles including Vice President for Strategic Alliances and Translation, Co-Director of the Rensselaer-Mount Sinai Center for Engineering and Precision Medicine, and Senior Advisor to the President for Strategic Initiatives. Dordick is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Inventors, reflecting his significant contributions to biochemical engineering.

His educational background includes a B.A. in Biochemistry and Chemistry from Brandeis University (1980), followed by M.S. (1983) and Ph.D. (1986) degrees in Biochemical Engineering from MIT. Prior to joining RPI, he was Professor of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at the University of Iowa, where he served as founding Associate Director of the Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing.

• Institute Professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, RPI (2021-present)
• Co-Director, Rensselaer-Mount Sinai Center for Engineering and Precision Medicine (2022-present)
• Senior Advisor to the President for Strategic Initiatives, RPI (2018-present)
• Guest Faculty Investigator, Rockefeller University (2016-present)
• Director, Center for Biotechnology & Interdisciplinary Studies, RPI (2008-2012)

Dordick's research has pioneered the development of enzymatic and chemoenzymatic methods for new materials synthesis, initiated the field of molecular bioprocessing, and expanded understanding of enzymatic catalysis in abiotic environments. His work bridges fundamental biochemical principles with clinical translation in infectious diseases, neurological disorders, and anticoagulant therapy. Recent publications reveal a strong focus on sulfated glycans as antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2, HSV-1, and other pathogens, demonstrating his lab's consistent innovation in biomolecular engineering and therapeutic applications.

His scientific achievements have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards:

• Election to National Academy of Engineering (2021)
• James E. Bailey Award (2022)
• Amgen Award in Biochemical and Molecular Engineering (2019)
• AIChE Food, Pharmaceutical and Bioengineering Award (2015)
• ACS-BIOT Marvin J. Johnson Award (2007)
• International Enzyme Engineering Award (2003)

Dordick has cofounded multiple companies including EnzyMed, Solidus Biosciences, Redpin Therapeutics, SynAppBio, and Lavaage, Inc., translating research into commercial applications. His lab has developed innovative platforms for high-throughput drug screening, 3D tumor spheroid microarrays, and CRISPR-based biosensors. The Dordick Research Group, housed within RPI's Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, brings together chemical engineers, bioengineers, biologists, and chemists to advance biomanufacturing, immune system engineering, neurotechnologies, and AI-driven drug discovery.