Women in Peptide Science
On February 11th, the world celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a day dedicated to promoting full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls. This observance highlights the critical role women play in science and technology communities and emphasizes the need to strengthen their participation.
In the field of peptide science, women have made significant contributions, advancing our understanding of peptides and their applications. The American Peptide Society, APS, has recognized several outstanding female scientists over the past five years for their exceptional work. Below, we celebrate these distinguished members and their achievements.
Lila Gierasch – 2019 Merrifield Award
Dr. Lila Gierasch is a Distinguished Professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her research focuses on protein folding, exploring how amino acid sequences dictate the folding process and how misfolding can lead to diseases. Her work has provided deep insights into the fundamental principles of protein structure and function.
Monika Raj – 2019 Early Career Award
Dr. Monika Raj is an Associate Professor at Emory University. Her research involves developing novel chemical methodologies for peptide modification, with applications in drug discovery and development. She has been recognized for her innovative approaches to peptide chemistry.
Annette Beck-Sickinger – 2019 du Vigneaud Award
Professor Annette Beck-Sickinger is based at Leipzig University in Germany. Her research encompasses peptide hormones and G-protein-coupled receptors, contributing to the understanding of receptor-ligand interactions. Her work has implications for developing new therapeutic strategies.
Caroline Proulx – 2021 Early Career Award
Dr. Caroline Proulx is an Associate Professor and Goodnight Early Career Innovator at North Carolina State University. Her research focuses on developing synthetic methodologies to access robust peptide and protein mimics for drug design and chemical biology applications. This includes exploring the effects of unnatural amino acids on folding and function, as well as advancements in medicinal and peptide chemistry.
Helma Wennemers – 2023 du Vigneaud Award
Professor Helma Wennemers is a faculty member at ETH Zurich in Switzerland. Her research interests include the development of peptides as catalysts and functional materials. She has made significant contributions to the field of asymmetric catalysis using small peptides.
Marcey Waters – 2023 du Vigneaud Award
Dr. Marcey Waters is the Glen H. Elder, Jr., Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research explores molecular recognition and the role of non-covalent interactions in biological systems, particularly in the context of histone modification and epigenetics. She has been recognized for her contributions to understanding the molecular basis of epigenetic regulation.
Jean Chmielewski – 2021 Goodman Award
Professor Jean Chmielewski is the Alice Watson Kramer Distinguished Professor at Purdue University. Her research integrates organic chemistry and biochemistry to design molecules that can disrupt protein-protein interactions, with applications in treating diseases such as cancer and infectious diseases. She has been recognized for her innovative approaches to therapeutic development.
Alanna Schepartz – 2021 du Vigneaud Award
Dr. Alanna Schepartz is the C.Z. and Irmgard Chu Distinguished Chair of Chemistry and Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research focuses on the development of miniature proteins and exploring their potential as therapeutic agents. She has also contributed to understanding the mechanisms of protein-DNA interactions.
Lara Malins – 2023 Early Career Award
Dr. Lara Malins is an Associate Professor at the Australian National University. Her research involves the development of synthetic methods for peptide modification, including late-stage functionalization techniques, to enhance the properties and functions of peptides. She has been recognized for her innovative contributions to peptide chemistry.
Betsy Parkinson – 2024 Early Career Award
Dr. Betsy Parkinson is an Assistant Professor at the University of Utah. Her research focuses on the design and synthesis of peptidomimetics to study and influence protein-protein interactions, with implications for understanding disease mechanisms and developing new therapeutics. She has been acknowledged for her promising work in peptide science.
These remarkable women exemplify excellence in peptide science, each contributing uniquely to the advancement of the field. Their dedication and innovative research continue to inspire future generations of scientists.