Enzymology in Drug Discovery

After completing studies for the A.B., A.M., and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry at Harvard University, David W. Christianson joined the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania, where he is currently the Roy and Diana Vagelos Professor in Chemistry and Chemical Biology. At Penn, Christianson’s research focuses on the structural and chemical biology of the zinc-dependent histone deacetylases as well as enzymes of terpene biosynthesis. His research accomplishments have been recognized by several awards, including the Pfizer Award in Enzyme Chemistry and the Repligen Award in Chemistry of Biological Processes from the American Chemical Society, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Elizabeth S. and Richard M. Cashin Fellowship from the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University. Christianson is also a dedicated classroom teacher, and his accomplishments in this regard have been recognized by the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching at Penn and a Rhodes Trust Inspirational Educator Award from Oxford University. Christianson has also held visiting professorships in the Department of Biochemistry at Cambridge University and the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University. Christianson has served with Prof. Anna Pyle as Co-Editor-in-Chief of Methods in Enzymology since 2015.

Dr. Karen N. Allen works at the Department of Chemistry of the Boston University, the Metcalf Center for Science and Engineering

Robert A. Copeland is a prominent biomedical sciences entrepreneur and executive, with a strong track record of starting, building and leading successful drug discovery organizations. He is widely recognized for his pioneering contributions to precision medicine, enzymology, and oncology drug discovery. Copeland has contributed to the discovery of 21 investigational new drugs that have transitioned to the clinic, five of which are FDA-approved medicines. He has contributed over 200 publications to the scientific literature, holds 14 issued U.S. patents and has authored seven highly acclaimed texts books in the areas of protein sciences, enzymology and drug discovery. He is currently Venture Partner at Altas Venture, an Advisor to Google Ventures, and Adjunct Professor at the Perelman School of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania. Beyond his career, he is an avid cyclist, bass fisherman and a second-degree black belt in judo, a sport in which he continues to actively participate.