Directory | Contact | Careers | Intranet | Home

Scripps Research Joint Appointments

Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Department of Chemistry

Research Focus

Organic/Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery In our labs we strive to rapidly identify and optimize the potency and properties of lead compounds that we hope will be used to treat important human diseases. We work closely with molecular biologists, biochemists, computational chemists, and pharmacologists to pursue safe, effective, and patentable drug candidates. These compounds act at well-validated biological targets including kinases and G-protein coupled receptors. We use all modern synthesis techniques available to efficiently prepare the test molecules, with chemistry capable of generating a wide diversity of structures. We first prepare compounds in small amounts (<100mg) and then upon identification of a promising candidate for detailed testing of efficacy and safety we make larger amounts (0.5-5g). Projects that are ongoing or soon to be launched include the discovery of therapeutics for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, diabetes, drug and alcohol addiction, and hypertension.

Selected References

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Peptidomimetic Inhibitors of Factor XIa as Novel Anticoagulants. J Med Chem. 2006 Dec 28;49 (26):7781-7791.

Heterocyclic analgesic compounds, namely N-[1-(1-phenethylpiperidin-3-yl)ethyl]-N-phenylpropionamide and analogs, with activity at opioid receptors, and method of use thereof. U.S. patent (2003) US6645980.

Ligands for monoamine receptors and transporters, and methods of use thereof (neurotransmission). European Patent (2006) EP1318988; see also World patent (2002) WO2002022572.

Total Synthesis of (-)-Bafilomycin A1. J Am. Chem. Soc. 2002, 124(24), 6981-6990.