Seminar Speaker: Dr. Tom Kodadek from The Scripps Research Institute

Dr. Thomas Kodadek is a Professor of Chemistry at the Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology (The Scripps Research Institute). His laboratory works in the field of chemical biology, using techniques that span organic chemistry to molecular genetics, with a strong focus on translational research. A key area of his current work involves developing strategies to tackle the so-called "undruggable" proteome — proteins that have historically been very difficult to target with traditional drug candidates. His lab has developed DNA-encoded libraries of novel molecular compounds, and new screening methods to find molecules capable of altering protein levels or activity in the cell. Dr. Kodadek's research has implications for a wide range of diseases, including Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, pancreatic cancer, and chronic lymphoid leukemia. He is also a co-founder of biotechnology ventures working to translate these chemical biology discoveries into new diagnostics and therapies. The seminar is part of Rice University's ongoing speaker series hosted in Dell Butcher Hall (DBH), Room 180 — a venue regularly used for departmental seminars in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and related fields. The event is open to the Rice academic community.