Alexander Amatuni, Ph.D.
Doctoral Thesis: Chemoenzymatic Strategies Enabling the Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and Medicinal Chemistry of Cepafungins
Description of Research Focus: Amatuni’s work focused on the chemoenzymatic total synthesis of the natural product cepafungin and unnatural syrbactin analogs for potential use as anticancer agents.
Undergraduate Institution: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Noteworthy Publications: Concise Chemoenzymatic Total Synthesis and Identification of Cellular Targets of Cepafungin I, Cell Chemical Biology (2020); Identification of a Lysine 4-Hydroxylase from the Glidobactin Biosynthesis and Evaluation of Its Biocatalytic Potential, Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry (2019)
Looking Back: "Some of the best aspects of graduate studies at Scripps include being able to focus almost entirely on my research and work closely with brilliant people on collaborative projects. This type of collaborative and multidisciplinary work prepared me well for what lies ahead in my career."
Next Steps: "I will be joining Eisai Inc. in Cambridge, MA as a Scientist in Precision Chemistry, working on the design, synthesis, and medicinal chemistry of novel therapeutics for neurodegenerative conditions. I hope to gain deep expertise in this area of research and make important contributions to the understanding and treatment of currently intractable neurological diseases."
Be sure to join us at 10 a.m. PDT on Friday, May 20 for our Commencement Ceremony Livestream! Amatuni's advisor and mentor, Prof. Hans Renata, will deliver a few words about his graduate experience, and viewers can learn about our 47 other 2022 graduates, who are now setting out to build careers that will profoundly impact the future of biomedical research.
