Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Seminar Series
During the academic year, the department hosts seminars relevant to modern pharmacology, chemical biology, drug discovery and drug delivery. Unless otherwise noted, seminars are at 4 p.m. in room N315
Verna and Marrs McLean Lectures in Biochemistry
The Verna and Marrs McLean Lecture Series was inaugurated in 1972 by Salih J. Wakil, Distinguished Service Professor and Chairman Emeritus, in honor of an outstanding Texas family for their generous support of the department. Verna and Marrs McLean shared a philosophy of civic and humanitarian responsibility and a keen commitment to education. Although they were personally generous and supported many philanthropic causes, the McLeans believed that their greatest contribution was to set an example that encouraged others to make equally strong commitments. This tradition has been maintained by their children and grandchildren, as exemplified by the endowment of the Ruth McLean Bowman Bowers Professorship, which supports a faculty member in the department, as well as the establishment of the Ruth McLean Bowman Bowers “Excellence in Research” Award. This endowed lecture series was inaugurated in 1972 in honor of an outstanding Texas family for their generous support of the department.
We are pleased to announce our 2024 McLean Lecturers, Dr. Joan Steitz, Sterling Professor of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry and Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at Yale University, and Dr. Karolin Luger, Distinguished Professor and the Jennie Smoly Caruthers Endowed Chair of Biochemistry at the University of Colorado in Boulder, and investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
This year, the event with take place on April 4, 2024 at 2 p.m. at the Cullen Auditorium.
Joan Steitz, Ph.D.
Dr. Steitz’s research has focused on RNA biology and on discovering and establishing the structures and functions of non-coding (nc)RNAs in vertebrate cells. Dr. Steitz's work has provided critical insights into the mechanisms of RNA processing and gene regulation and has paved the way for the development of new therapeutic approaches for diseases caused by RNA processing defects.
Karolin Luger, Ph.D.
Dr. Luger is recognized for her work on chromatin structure and genome organization throughout the entire tree of life, with the goal of getting at the evolutionary origin of the nucleosome and its processing machinery. Her lab also studies the DNA damage recognition protein PARP1 and its interactions with chromatin, with the aim of developing novel PARP inhibitors for cancer therapy.
The Schoolar Lecture in Psychopharmacology
This annual endowed lectureship honors Professor Joseph Schoolar. Dr. Schoolar was a member of the Pharmacology and Psychiatry departments for nearly 50 years. More information can be found on the Schoolar Lecture page.
Annual Department Research Conference
Each year, the Department holds a research conference. The retreat is a blend of scientific and social activities.
Graduate Program
Learn about the Chemical, Physical & Structural Biology Graduate Program.
Research
Learn about our research with in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology.
