Drug Discovery 2019

An Associate Professor with Midwestern University, and adjunct faculty member at Northwestern University Dr. Annette Gilchrist has a PhD in Immunology from the University of Connecticut Health Center and a MS in Biochemistry from the University of Connecticut. Previously, she ... was with Cue Biotech and Caden Biosciences, companies she co-founded that focused on identifying modulators of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) utilizing novel approaches (US Patent Numbers 6,559,128; 7,208,279; and 7,294,472). Her current research is on allosteric and functionally selective modulators of GPCRs with her primary receptors of interest being the chemokine receptor CCR1 and the recently deorphanized FFAR2. She is an International Editor for the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and recently served as a guest co-editor for a Frontiers in Endocrinology Bone Research themed issue on "Chemokines and Bone".

Khyati Shah received her Ph.D. in Molecular Pharmacology from the University of the Pacific, Stockton, California. Her graduate research was completed in the lab of Jesika Faridi, Ph.D. Her work focused on the investigation of the mechanism of Akt induced tamoxifen resistance in ... breast cancer. Currently, Khyati is the research fellow in Bandyopadhyay Lab since 2015. Her project involves investigation of the mechanism of resistance to targeted and immuno-therapy using systems biology approach. She has three-first author publications in the reputed peer-reviewed journals and 7 oral and 15 poster talks on the use of systemic genomics and proteomic approach to design rational combination therapy and to increase the durability of therapeutic response.

Between 1994-2015 he worked at EKF Diagnostics in Wales (formerly Argutus Medical) where he introduced and promoted a wide range of novel kidney and liver tests, including important biomarkers that are now being evaluated by the IMI (Innovative Medicines Initiative) and FDA as ... qualified for use in toxicological testing. He developed strong relationships with hospitals, clinical research organizations and pharmaceutical companies, including AstraZeneca, Sanofi Aventis, Pfizer, Novartis, Merck, Glaxo Smith Kline and Johnson and Johnson. From 1975-1992 Martin Shaw filled many technical and marketing roles at Pharmacia Diagnostics (now Thermo-Fisher). He and his coworkers developed and introduced the first commercial tests for neonatal hypothyroidism, celiac disease, and a range of novel biomarkers to monitor allergy and inflammation. Bringing testing close to the patient is important and Martin brings this experience from being Marketing Manager at Magnasense Technologies, Finland, where he introduced and promoted a novel point-of-care test system based on magnetically labelled antibodies. Martin has published several peer-reviewed articles on biomarkers and presented at many scientific congresses, including being guest speaker at the FDA.

Matt entered the research field over 24 years ago as a lab animal technician at the TSI/Mason contract research facility. Since then, he has worked at contract facilities such as TSI and OREAD Biosafety as well as in industry at Pharmacia, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis, and Biogen ... During that period he has performed a variety of surgical procedures including device implantation, transplants, orthopedic defect, ocular and vascular implants, cardiac surgery, and brain and spinal procedures. His experience ranges from mice and rats to non-human primates and livestock. In addition, he holds four patents for novel surgical devices and implants and has been training technicians, scientists, veterinarians, and physicians in surgical techniques and procedures for over 18 years. Outside of the surgical realm, he has been a study director, sonographer, Safety Pharmacology scientist, and manager. Currently Matt supervises a team of associates at Biogen who conduct surgical and non-surgical studies. Matt was also on the board of directors for the Academy of Surgical Research for over ten years, serving as their program chair for three of them as well as educational chair for two. Currently he is the program chairman for the New England branch of AALAS.

Sid Topiol is the founder and CSO of 3D-2drug LLC, a collaborative research organization incubating drug discovery projects. 3D-2drug is rooted in the deployment of protein structure/function information into novel and efficient drug discovery opportunities. Sid received his B.S ... from CCNY and his Ph.D. from NYU. He trained as a theoretical quantum chemist. He post-docked at Northwestern with Mark Ratner and Arthur Frost, and at Carnegie-Mellon with John Pople (Noble laureate.) He has held various academic affiliations through his career including The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New Jersey Institute of Technology and Stevens Institute of Technology. He has spent over 20 years in Pharma, starting with Berlex followed by Sandoz/Novartis and then Lundbeck. He has worked on all aspects of Computer Aided Drug Design in interdisciplinary project environments. In 2010 he formed 3D-2Drug. He serves on the Editorial Board of Drug Development Research.