Scripps Research Joint Appointments

Translational Research Institute

Research Focus

Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery

The research interest in my group is in the design, synthesis and evaluation of novel compounds of biological and therapeutic interest. Currently, we are involved in the design and synthesis of novel small molecule modulators of nuclear hormone receptors, GPCR's, ion channels, and kinases for the therapeutic treatment of diabetes and obesity, sleep, schizophrenia, and addiction. Working closely with other departments such as molecular biology, pharmacology, and drug metabolism, we optimize lead compounds for potency, ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion), safety pharmacology, and toxicology in order to generate compounds suitable for preclinical development.

Professional Experience

Ph.D. U.C.Irvine (L.E.Overman)
Post-doc  Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (S.J.Danishefsky)
Merck &. Co. (Rahway, San Diego)

Selected References

“Efficient methodology for the synthesis of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazoles” Noël R., Song X., Jiang R., Chalmers M.J., Griffin P.R, Kamenecka T.M. J Org Chem. 2009 Oct 2;74(19):7595-7.

“Regulation of adipogenesis by natural and synthetic REV-ERB ligands” Kumar, Naresh; Solt, Laura A.; Wang, Yongjun; Rogers, Pamela M.; Bhattacharyya, Gargi; Kamenecka, Theodore M.; Stayrook, Keith R.; Crumbley, Christine; Floyd, Z. Elizabeth; Gimble, Jeffrey M.; Griffin, Patrick R.; Burris, Thomas P.  Endocrinology 2010, 151(7), 3015-3025.

“Cytochrome P450-mediated bioactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor erlotinib to a reactive electrophile” Li, Xiaohai; Kamenecka, Theodore M.; Cameron, Michael D. Drug Metabolism and Disposition 2010, 38(7), 1238-1245.

“Suppression of TH17 Differentiation and Autoimmunity by a Selective Synthetic ROR Ligand” Solt, Laura A.; Kumar, Naresh; Nuhant, Philippe; Wang, Yongjun; Lauer, Janelle L.; Liu, Jin; Istrate, Monica; Kamenecka, Theodore M.; Roush, William R.; Vidović, Dušica; Schürer, Stephan C.; Xu, Jihong; Wagoner, Gail; Drew, Paul D.; Griffin, Patrick R.; Burris, Thomas P. Nature (London, United Kingdom) 2011, 472(7344), 491-4.

“Potent Anti-Diabetic Actions of a Non-Agonist PPARg Ligand that Blocks Cdk5-Mediated Phosphorylation” Choi, Jang Hyun; Banks, Alexander S.; Kamenecka, Theodore M; Busby, Scott A.; Chalmers, Michael J.; Kumar, Naresh; Kuruvilla, Dana; Shin, Youseung; He, Yuanjun; Bruning, John B.; Marciano, David; Cameron, Michael D.; Laznik, Dina; Jurczak, Michael J.;  Schürer, Stephan C.; Vidović, Dusica;  Shulman, Gerald I.; Spiegelman, Bruce M.;  Griffin, Patrick R.  Nature (London, United Kingdom) 2011 477(7365), 477-81.