Northwestern was recently selected to lead a new Center for Chemical Innovation by the National Science Foundation. The team uses the power of biocatalysis found in nature to develop practical strategies that span from fine chemical production and sustainable chemical synthesis to new medicines that address critical societal needs.
The center is led by Karl Scheidt, a professor of chemistry in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and a professor of pharmacology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
“Northwestern is the ideal place to launch this center given its tremendous strengths in chemistry and connected areas of science and engineering,” said Scheidt, whose research focuses on the synthesis and investigation of bioactive molecules. “Advances we make in this area of chemoenzymatic synthesis will provide a solid scientific foundation for addressing the production challenges of new medicines and materials in the 21st century.”
According to the professor’s research group, “during his time at Northwestern, [Scheidy] has trained over 80 postdoctoral fellows and graduate students, over 40 undergraduate students and received both a Distinguished Teaching Award and an Alumnae of Northwestern Teaching professorship, the university’s highest distinction for education. He is also the co-founder of multiple biotech startup companies focused on translating the promise of small molecules to clinical success.
Learn more in Northwestern Now’s article, “Northwestern to lead a new national Center for Chemical Innovation.”