2021 3M/Ronald A. Mitsch Lecture in Chemistry

On Transformation of the Drug Discovery Process: A Talk in Three Parts

Guest Lecturer

Dr. Marti S. Head
director, Joint Institute for Biological Sciences at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee
former senior director, The Noldor at GlaxoSmithKline
PhD in chemistry, Duke University (1995)
bachelor of science in chemistry, Hamline University (1991)

Date: Friday, April 2, 2021
Time: 7 p.m.
Watch online.

In part one of her talk, Dr. Head recounts the high points on her journey from Hamline University to her current position as director of the Joint Institute for Biological Sciences at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

In part two, she gives an overview of the modern drug discovery process.

In part three, she shares how her research has shifted due to COVID-19. Her current project, which uses molecular design to accelerate therapeutic treatments for COVID-19, is an example of how the drug discovery process can shift to respond quickly to biological emergencies.

Dr. Head is the director of the Joint Institute for Biological Sciences, a collaborative effort of Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee. She holds a BS in chemistry from Hamline University (1991) and a PhD in chemistry from Duke University (1995). She is listed as an inventor on multiple drug discovery patents and has authored numerous publications, presentations, and book chapters in computational and medicinal chemistry.

About the Mitsch Lectures in Chemistry

The 3M/Ronald A. Mitsch Lectures in Chemistry are part of the 3M/Ronald A. Mitsch Endowed Fund in Chemistry, established in 1998 by the 3M Foundation in recognition and appreciation of Dr. Mitsch. The fund is intended to promote new connections and pioneering efforts between education and industry as an essential basis for the education of chemists who are prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21^st century and beyond. Dr. Mitsch, a 1956 graduate of Hamline University’s College of Liberal Arts, began his career at 3M in 1960 as a research chemist. He earned 19 patents.

In 1998, he retired from 3M as vice chairman of the board and executive vice president of the Industrial and Consumer Sector, Corporate Services. He is a Hamline University life trustee.

Past Lectures

2019	"Male Contraception: A Quest." Dr. Gunda I. Georg, University of Minnesota
2018	"Illuminating Sugars, the 'Dark Matter' of the Cell Surface." Dr. Carolyn R. Bertozzi, Stanford University
2017	"Meeting the Clean Energy Demand with Nanotechnology." Prashant V. Kamat, University of Norte Dame
2016	"New Chemical Probe Technologies: Applications to Cancer Imaging and Drug Discovery." Matthew Bogyo, Stanford University School of Medicine
2015	"Got Fakes? New Ways to Detect Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals." Dr. Marya Lieberman, University of Notre Dame
2014	"Biological and Ecological Toxicity of Engineered Nanomaterials." Dr. Christy L. Haynes, University of Minnesota
2013	"Recent Developments in the Peaceful Use of Chemistry: Eliminating the Chemical Weapons Threat." Ambassador Robert Mikulak '64
2012	"From Toxicology Mechanisms to Translational Medicine: Paracelsus Meets Sarandib." Dr. Daniel G. Baden, University of North Carolina at Wilmington
2009	“The Aging Brain and What We are Trying To Do About It.” Dr. Gregory A. Petsko, Brandeis University
2008	"The Golden Age of Pharmaceuticals." Dr. Cynthia A. Maryanoff, Stanford University
2007	Dr. Richard N. Zare, Stanford University
2006	"Applications of Olefin Metathesis Catalysts: Fundamental Research to Commercial Products." Dr. Robert H. Grubbs, California Institute of Technology
2005	Dr. JoAnne Stubbe, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2004	Chemical Studies of Violence, Sex and Drugs in the Insect World. " Dr. Jerrold Meinwald, Cornell University