Dr. Stephen Frye is the Fred Eshelman Distinguished Professor of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), where he co-founded and previously directed the Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery (CICBDD). He holds a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from UNC Chapel Hill (1987) and a B.S. from North Carolina State University (1983). Before academia, he served as Vice President of Discovery Medicinal Chemistry at GlaxoSmithKline, overseeing global drug discovery programs that produced FDA-approved oncology drugs like Avodart, Tykerb, and Pazopanib. His research focuses on chromatin regulation mediated by methyl-lysine modifications, developing chemical probes for epigenetic reader domains, and targeting TAM receptors (e.g., MERTK) in cancer immunotherapy. Key projects include inhibitors for cancer resistance pathways and synergistic combinations with existing therapies. Recent work explores FERM domain inhibitors for Alzheimer’s disease and combinatorial strategies to overcome EGFR-mutant lung cancer resistance. Dr. Frye’s lab has advanced 130+ publications in chemical and medicinal chemistry, and his CICBDD collaborative projects have advanced clinical candidates into human trials. His scientific achievements include the 2021 AAAS Fellowship for oncology drug discovery contributions.
Dr. David B. Rawlins serves as Associate Professor at Roseman University of Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy in Henderson, NV. With over two decades of pharmaceutical industry experience, he brings extensive expertise in drug discovery to his academic role. His academic appointments include memberships in the American Chemical Society (since 1989), American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (since 2016), and American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (since 2016). Ph.D. in Chemistry from Stanford University (1990-1995) M.S. in Chemistry from Brigham Young University (1988-1990) B.S. in Microbiology from Brigham Young University (1982-1988) Dr. Rawlins' research focuses on medicinal chemistry with particular emphasis on developing novel therapeutics. His work spans multiple therapeutic areas including antidepressant development through chemical synthesis of Ro-25-6981 analogs, investigation of essential oils' composition and biological activity, and innovative drug delivery methods using 3D printing technology. His industry background in oncology, metabolic disease, and ophthalmology drug discovery informs his current academic research directions. He has also developed informatics tools for tracking student information within the College of Pharmacy, bridging his cheminformatics expertise with educational applications. Analysis of Dr. Rawlins' publication record reveals strong expertise in diabetes therapeutics (particularly SGLT inhibitors), ophthalmic treatments (including glaucoma), and antidepressant development. His work demonstrates a consistent pattern of translating basic chemical research into clinically relevant compounds, with multiple candidates advancing to clinical trials. The publications span medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and clinical research, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to drug discovery. P1 Teacher of the Year, Roseman University of Health Sciences (2018-2019) Thomas A. Edison Patent Award, Research and Development Council of New Jersey (2017) Sigma Xi Outstanding Thesis, Brigham Young University (1990) NSF Predoctoral Fellowship, Honorable Mention (1988) Trustee's Scholarship, Brigham Young University (1982-1987) Dr. Rawlins has successfully guided multiple compounds into clinical development during his industry career, including an LIMK2 inhibitor for glaucoma, sotagliflozin (a dual SGLT1/SGLT2 inhibitor), and LX2761. His research has been supported by both industry resources during his pharmaceutical career and academic funding in his current position. He has mentored students through his teaching roles in Biochemistry, Pharmacogenomics, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Calculations, and Medical Spanish. At Roseman University, Dr. Rawlins leads research efforts focused on novel antidepressant development, essential oil characterization, and 3D printing applications for drug delivery. His cheminformatics expertise informs both his research and his development of educational tools for pharmacy students. His laboratory work bridges synthetic organic chemistry with pharmaceutical applications, maintaining strong connections to his industry drug discovery experience.
Zhi Tan, M.D., Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, holding joint appointments in the Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology and the Center for Drug Discovery. He is affiliated with the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute in Houston, TX. Dr. Tan earned his MD from Wuhan University (2012) and a PhD from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and UT Health Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (2018). His research focuses on leveraging computational chemistry, bioinformatics, and chemical biology to develop novel therapeutics for diseases such as cancers. Key areas include small molecule inhibitors for targeted therapy, computational algorithms for drug discovery, and RNA-protein interaction modulators. His lab has secured significant funding, including a $2M CPRIT First Time Tenure Track Faculty Award (2022–2027) to advance drug discovery efforts. Notable publications highlight breakthroughs in noncoding RNA modulation, SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitors, and epigenetic drivers of glioblastoma progression. Lab members include Assistant Professor Fei Yuan, and collaborations span diverse disciplines from informatics to synthetic chemistry. The lab’s translational focus bridges basic science and clinical applications, with ongoing projects targeting enzyme activation pathways and male contraception mechanisms.
Mingxing Teng is an Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, holding dual appointments in the Department of Pathology & Immunology and the Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology. He is also a member of the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center. Teng's research focuses on chemical biology and medicinal chemistry, with an emphasis on developing novel drug candidates targeting cancer and other diseases. His lab employs interdisciplinary approaches, including synthetic chemistry, molecular biology, and pharmacology, to design innovative therapies. Education includes a PhD from the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry (2015) and postdoctoral training at Baylor College of Medicine (2018–2022) and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard Medical School (2022–present). His work spans protein degradation mechanisms, kinase inhibitors, and targeted therapies. Key research areas include degrader drug development, enzyme activation, and molecular glue technologies. Teng has secured grants such as the CPRIT Scholar Award ($2M) and has published extensively in top-tier journals like Science , Cell Chemical Biology , and Angewandte Chemie .
Thomas Kodadek is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Florida with an active research program focused on chemical biology and translational research. His work spans from fundamental organic chemistry to immunological applications, with particular emphasis on developing novel approaches to target the "undruggable" proteome. His research interests include: Development of DNA-encoded libraries of non-peptidic macrocycles Creation of novel screening techniques for identifying protein ligands Chemical tools for monitoring and manipulating the immune system Discovery of diagnostic biomarkers for diseases including cancers, autoimmune disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions Development of "antigen surrogates" as potential therapeutic agents Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on macrocyclic chemistry, DNA-encoded libraries, and proteolysis targeting approaches. His work bridges chemical synthesis with biological applications, particularly in the areas of protein degradation and immune system modulation. Dr. Kodadek has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career including the Makineni Award from the American Peptide Society (2017), the Cope Scholar Award from the American Chemical Society (2016), and the Chemical Biology Faculty Member of the Year (2007). He is also an NIH Elected Fellow and has received the American Cancer Society Post-doctoral Fellowship. He has co-founded two biotechnology companies: Triana Biosciences (2022) and Deluge Biotechnologies (2017), demonstrating the translational impact of his research. His laboratory continues to be highly productive with publications extending to 2025, indicating ongoing active research in chemical biology and drug discovery.
Oscar Verho is a Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor at Uppsala University's Department of Medicinal Chemistry; Drug Design and Discovery. Appointed to this dual position in 2022, he leads research in synthetic methodology development for bioactive molecule synthesis with applications in chemical biology and drug discovery. His work bridges electrochemistry and medicinal chemistry to create sustainable pharmaceutical synthesis routes. Education PhD (2014), Uppsala University, supervised by Prof. Jan-Erling Bäckvall Research Focus Verho specializes in electrocatalyzed C-H functionalization and DNA-encoded library technologies. His research integrates organic synthesis with electrochemical engineering to develop green methodologies for drug discovery, emphasizing reaction efficiency and environmental sustainability. Key applications include antiviral compound development and catalytic mechanism optimization. Publication Trends His 2020-2025 publications reveal consistent advancement in electrocatalysis (particularly water oxidation and C-H activation) and DNA-encoded library applications. Recent work demonstrates interdisciplinary convergence, merging materials science with virology as evidenced by SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitor research, while maintaining core focus on sustainable electrochemical synthesis. Collaborative Infrastructure Based at Uppsala's Biomedicinskt Centrum (BMC), Verho operates within shared electrochemistry and medicinal chemistry facilities. His extensive co-authorship patterns indicate active collaboration across Uppsala University departments and international research networks, leveraging specialized equipment for electrocatalysis and high-throughput screening.
Zoltán Novák is a Lecturer at the Department of Organic Chemistry , Eötvös Loránd University, with a focus on organic chemistry , catalysis , and fluorine chemistry . He holds the prestigious title of Doctor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences . Research Interests : Fluoroalkylation, C-H activation, micellar catalysis, and mechanistic studies of iodonium reagents. Publications : His work spans over 20 years, emphasizing palladium- and copper-catalyzed reactions, photoredox processes, and sustainable synthetic methodologies. Scientific Awards : Doctor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
Francis Peterson, PhD is a Professor of Biochemistry at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He serves as NMR Facility Manager and leads the Small-Molecule Screening Team. His research focuses on chemokine structure-function relationships, protein engineering, and NMR-based drug discovery. Key areas include understanding chemokine-receptor interactions (e.g., CCL21/CCR7, CCL28), designing small molecule ligands, and developing therapies for autoimmune diseases like psoriasis. He has pioneered methods for fragment-based screening and structural studies of mitochondrial proteins. His work bridges basic biochemical research with translational applications in drug development. Education : PhD in Biochemistry (not explicitly stated in text). Research Interests : - Chemokine biology and dimerization mechanisms - NMR spectroscopy applications in drug discovery - Protein structure-function relationships - Mitochondrial dynamics (FIS1/DRP1) - Design of engineered proteins and biosensors - Small molecule ligand discovery Scientific Contributions : Over 30 peer-reviewed articles (2011–2023) covering structural biology, immunology, and medicinal chemistry. Active in developing novel assays (e.g., modified ELISA for chemokine dimers) and protein engineering approaches for therapeutic targets. Lab/Teams : Directs the NMR Facility and manages the Small-Molecule Screening Team, enabling collaborative research across departments. His lab integrates structural biology techniques with functional studies to address biomedical questions.
B V Venkatar Prasad is a Professor at the Baylor College of Medicine , holding appointments in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Molecular Virology and Microbiology . He serves as Director of the Graduate Program in Chemical, Physical & Structural Biology and is a member of the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center . Ph.D. from Indian Institute of Science (1981) Postdoctoral Training at Indian Institute of Science (1984) and University of Arizona (1988) His research focuses on viral structure-function relationships for antiviral development, particularly in rotavirus , norovirus , and influenza . Key areas include: Cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography of viral proteins Host-pathogen interactions via glycobiology Mechanisms of immune evasion and genome replication Structure-guided drug/vaccine design Article trends highlight capsid dynamics , protease inhibition , and viral replication phase separation . Recent work explores glycan specificity and host pathway modulation for pandemic noroviruses. Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology (2015) NIH MERIT Awards (2003, 2013) Welch Foundation funding for structural virology Indo-US Professorship (2004-2005) Advising includes postdoctoral trainee Anish Thachangattuthodi. Skills span Cryo-EM , X-ray crystallography , computational biology , and protein purification .
Dr. Lisa Prendergast is a researcher at Newcastle University, specializing in molecular biology and cancer research. Her work focuses on DNA repair mechanisms, cell cycle regulation, and the development of targeted therapies. She has contributed to studies on synthetic lethality involving PARP and CHK1 inhibitors, mitotic chromatin dynamics, and DNA replication processes. Her research interests span molecular oncology, epigenetics, and chemical biology innovations, such as DNA-encoded libraries. Notable collaborations include studies on R-loop resolution via the INO80 complex and the role of HP1 in mitotic chromatin regulation. Dr. Prendergast's publications reflect a strong emphasis on translational research, bridging basic biology with clinical applications in radiotherapy and chemotherapy. She has explored centromeric protein complexes and their roles in chromatin assembly, demonstrating interdisciplinary expertise in genetics and cell biology.
Robert J. Lefkowitz is the Duke Health Distinguished Professor of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine. He holds concurrent professorships in Biochemistry, Pathology, and Chemistry. As an HHMI Investigator since 1976, his research focuses on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), β-arrestin signaling, and biased agonism. He earned his M.D. from Columbia University in 1966. His groundbreaking work on GPCRs led to the 2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Key research areas include receptor pharmacology, cardiovascular biology, and drug discovery. Recent studies explore GPCR-G protein coupling mechanisms, β-arrestin-mediated signaling pathways, and allosteric modulators for therapeutic applications. Notable achievements include over 500 publications, with recent work emphasizing biased agonism and structural biology. Awards include the Nobel Prize, Chancellor’s Distinguished Professorship, and HHMI Investigator status. His mentorship has shaped generations of physician-scientists, emphasizing translational research and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Raja Appuswamy is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Data Science at EURECOM, focusing on data management on modern hardware and molecular information storage. His research integrates cutting-edge storage technologies with bioinformatics, particularly in DNA-based data storage. He teaches courses in cloud computing, distributed systems, and databases. His work spans Optimizing storage hierarchies with DNA archival systems Hardware-conscious algorithms for GPUs and heterogeneous architectures Error correction in molecular storage Long-term database preservation strategies Key research interests include Cross-architecture data joins (e.g., OneJoin, XJoin) Cold storage innovation with CMOSS and OligoArchive Integration of bio-inspired storage with traditional computing and explores interdisciplinary challenges at the intersection of computer science and molecular biology. Publications emphasize scalable solutions for DNA storage density, error tolerance, and archival systems. Awards highlight contributions to DNA-based image encoding, storage reliability, and page cache checksums. Current projects focus on enzymatic DNA ligations for storage density improvement, motif-based error correction, and hardware acceleration for knowledge graphs. His work targets both theoretical advancements and practical implementations in storage systems.
Thomas Kodadek is a Professor in the Chemistry Department at the University of Florida, where he leads the SR-CHEM-KODADEK LAB. His research spans chemical biology with a strong emphasis on translational applications, bridging the gap between basic science and clinical applications. Dr. Kodadek's research interests focus on developing novel chemical biology approaches to tackle challenging biological problems. His work primarily centers on: Developing strategies to target the "undruggable" proteome through DNA-encoded libraries of non-peptidic macrocycles Creating innovative screening techniques for molecules with novel functions Using chemical tools to monitor and manipulate the immune system Discovering early diagnostic tests for cancers, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions Identifying compounds that act as "antigen surrogates" for therapeutic applications Analysis of Dr. Kodadek's recent publications (2021-2025) reveals a strong focus on DNA-encoded libraries, macrocycle synthesis, and proteome targeting strategies. His work shows a progression from fundamental chemical biology techniques toward increasingly translational applications, particularly in the areas of protein degradation technologies (PROTACs), immune system manipulation, and diagnostic development. The research demonstrates interdisciplinary integration of organic chemistry, molecular biology, and immunology to address challenging problems in drug discovery. Dr. Kodadek has received numerous prestigious awards and recognitions throughout his career: Makineni Award (2017) from the American Peptide Society Cope Scholar Award (2016) from the American Chemical Society Chemical Biology Faculty Member of the Year (2007) Faculty of 1000 Pioneer Award (2006) NIH Elected Fellow (1999) American Association for the Advancement of Science Junior Faculty Research Award (1991) American Cancer Society Post-doctoral Fellowship (1985) As an entrepreneur and innovator, Dr. Kodadek has co-founded multiple biotechnology companies including Triana Biosciences (2022) and Deluge Biotechnologies (2017), demonstrating his commitment to translating basic research into practical applications. His lab has secured substantial grant funding to support their innovative research programs focused on chemical biology and translational medicine. The Kodadek Laboratory operates at the intersection of chemistry and biology, with research teams working on multiple fronts including DNA-encoded library development, macrocycle synthesis, immune system monitoring tools, and diagnostic test development. The lab environment fosters interdisciplinary collaboration between chemists, biologists, and clinicians to address complex challenges in drug discovery and diagnostics.
Manuel Nappi is a Ramón y Cajal Researcher at the Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Seville. He specializes in organometallic catalysis and photocatalytic methodologies, with a focus on C-H bond activation and biomacromolecule manipulation. His teaching spans undergraduate and graduate courses in chemistry, including General Chemistry IV, Organic Chemistry II, and Spectroscopic Techniques. Nappi’s research group explores sustainable synthesis strategies, photoredox catalysis, and nucleic acid functionalization. Research interests include metal-free catalytic systems, visible-light-driven reactions, and the development of novel organocatalytic protocols. His work bridges organic synthesis and materials chemistry, with applications in DNA-encoded libraries and biomaterial engineering. Recent studies focus on photocatalytic deoxygenation of alcohols and selective functionalization of nucleic acids. Key contributions include pioneering methods for N6-methyladenosine residue targeting and γ-C(sp3)-H activation in alkylamines. He has been recognized as an Outstanding Reviewer for Chemical Science (2019). Nappi’s academic service includes curriculum development across bachelor’s and master’s programs, emphasizing practical training in analytical and synthetic chemistry.
Martin M. Matzuk is a Professor at Baylor College of Medicine with joint appointments in Molecular and Human Genetics, Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, and Molecular & Cellular Biology. As Chair of the Department of Pathology & Immunology and Director of the Center for Drug Discovery, he leads research in reproductive biology, contraception, and ovarian cancer. His work integrates functional genomics and chemical biology to study fertility pathways, TGF-beta signaling, and small molecule drug development. Educational Background : BA (with Honors) from University of Chicago (1982) MD and PhD from Washington University School of Medicine (1989) Postdoctoral Fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine (1993) Residency at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (1991) Matzuk’s research has uncovered genes critical for ovarian folliculogenesis (e.g., GDF9, BMP15), oocyte-to-embryo transition (e.g., ZAR1, NPM2), and male contraception targets (e.g., BRDT, OVCH2). His lab developed the DNA-Encoded Chemistry Technology (DEC-Tec) platform, enabling rapid discovery of low-nanomolar inhibitors for diseases like endometriosis and cancer. Key projects include studying early ovarian cancer detection and microRNA roles in tumor suppression. He has mentored over 50 trainees, including 13 underrepresented minorities, and received accolades like the Carl G. Hartman Award (2022) and Inaugural Hill Prize in Medicine (2024). His work on inhibin and GDF9 has redefined reproductive endocrinology and ovarian biology. The lab’s 15 most recent publications focus on kinase inhibitors, TGF-beta signaling, ovarian cancer biomarkers, and chemical contraceptive development. Scientific Awards : Member of National Academy of Sciences (2014) National Academy of Inventors Fellow (2016) NIH MERIT Award (2001-2011) Trainee Mentoring Award (2015) Carl G. Hartman Award (2022) 13 patents, including ELONVA for FSH therapy Matzuk’s lab has produced over 400 publications, with 25+ in Cell , Nature , and Science , and created >200 transgenic mouse models. He chairs the NIH CMIR study section and has been a key figure in drug discovery for reproductive diseases.
