Research Spotlight
Liela Romero, Ph.D., CPRIT Scholar
A Changemaker in the Fight Against Cancer
When it comes to creating leads for cancer-fighting drugs, Liela Romero describes herself as a chef—mixing individual chemicals together to create a stronger finished product. Her field is organic chemistry, but the products she produces represent more than new molecular pairings—they represent hope for those who will face the disease.
Cancer Drug Lead Discovery
Baylor chemists form the tip of the spear in cancer research, probing natural products and molecules whose anticancer agents can be strengthened in tandem with others. Their research has driven drug leads and new approaches to advance their discipline.
Michael A. Trakselis, Ph.D., Biochemist
Michael A. Trakselis, Ph.D., professor and director of graduate affairs for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry had to overcome 2 barriers to conduct his groundbreaking research on DNA enzyme.
Joshua Robinson, McNair Scholar
Joshua Robinson, McNair Scholar
Joshua Robinson (Romo Group) was selected for the UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Studies and has been recognized as a President's Scholar, BTRUE Scholar, and McNair Scholar. Both his projects Agelastatin A. and Gracillin A. focus on the total synthesis of derivatives of natural products, and he's presented his research at ten conferences including twice at ABRCMS. Robinson's interest in the intersection of Chemistry and Biology could potentially lead him to focus on making and altering proteins, take on patent law, or dive into the business side of pharmaceuticals.
John L. Wood, Ph.D., FRSC, Robert A. Welch Distinguished Professor of Chemistry
John L. Wood, Ph.D., FRSC, the University's Robert A. Welch Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, averages 60 to 70 hours a week in the east wing of the Baylor Sciences Building (BSB). A world-renowned chemist and cancer researcher, Wood is recognized for his impactful work in an area of chemistry called natural products synthesis or total synthesis, which involves re-creating complex, naturally occurring molecules in a lab setting.
Kevin Pinney, Ph.D., Baylor Cancer Researcher
Kevin Pinney, Ph.D., professor of chemistry in the Baylor College of Arts and Sciences, is working to solve the mysteries of cancer, a task he says is "daunting" and "extremely exciting." He is considered an expert on the discovery of small molecules and vascular disrupting agents that inhibit growth and replication of cancer cells.
Samantha Yruegas, Graduate Researcher
Baylor Doctoral Student Earns Spot on Periodic Table of Younger Chemists
Samantha Yruegas (Martin Group) is one of four students in the country to receive a nationally competitive grant in the first round from the NSMMS and CRASTE valued at $1500. She was recognized as one of the world's top young chemists and was selected by IUPAC to represent erbium on the periodic table of elements, but her research centers on another element, boron. In addition to potential applications in electronics, Yruegas’ work could potentially lead to pharmaceutical advances as these types of compounds have been used to treat dermatological ailments such as eczema and fungal infections.