Department Highlights
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Pharmacology & Chemical Biology
- Cell Biology Welcomed Three New Faculty in Academic Year 2021-2022
- Dr. Cheryl Day, Microbiology/Immunology, Appointed Director of ACTG Immunology Specialty Laboratory
- Dr. Christine Dunham, Biochemistry, Received Promotion, Several Accolades
- Dr. Homa Ghalei, Biochemistry, Highlighted in RNA Society
- Dr. Eddie Morgan, Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Part of Team Developing 'Contact Tracing' for Environmental Chemical Exposures
- Dr. George Painter, Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Led Discovery of Molnupiravir to Fight COVID-19
- Dr. William Shafer, Microbiology/Immunology, Celebrated 40 Years at Emory and Two Editorial Board Re-Appointments
- Renowned Expert in Cancer Biology Dr. Yong Wan Joined Pharmacology and Chemical Biology
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee
The Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology launched the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee (DEI) committee. Eddie Morgan, PhD, Professor and Vice Chair of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, has been named the director of the Committee.
"We meet monthly to discuss and implement initiatives to promote ongoing discussions in the community regarding diversity, equity and inclusion," says Morgan. "Our goal is to create a culture and climate of equity and inclusion, where diversity is nurtured, valued, and celebrated."
DEI initiatives include a Reading Club, Town Hall meetings, and DEI seminars. DEI is participating in the design strategy for an upcoming faculty search to ensure inclusive practices and holistic evaluation of applicants.
Cell Biology Welcomed Three New Faculty
The Department of Cell Biology welcomed three new faculty members from September 2021 - February 2022:
- September 1, 2021: Dr. Shirley Zhang, Assistant Professor
- September 1, 2021: Dr. Kenneth Myers, Assistant Professor
- February 1, 2022: Dr. Lindsey Seldin, Assistant Professor
Dr. Cheryl Day Appointed Immunology Specialty Laboratory (ISL) Director for ACTG
Cheryl Day, PhD, Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, received funding from the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) to be lab director for an Immunology Specialty Laboratory (ISL). Dr. Day has expertise in human cellular immune profiling and key collaborators include Steve Bosinger for transcriptomics and Chris Scharer for epigenetics. The ISL at Emory is one of 3 immunology labs funded by ACTG, the other two at UNC Chapel Hill and University of Pittsburgh (the funding announcement email is attached). The specialty labs are funded as of December 1, 2021 and funding cycles are for 5 years.
Dr. Christine Dunham Promoted to Professor, Received Several Accolades
Dr. Homa Ghalei Highlighted in RNA Society
Dr. Eddie Morgan Part of Team Developing 'Contact Tracing' for Environmental Chemical Exposures
Dr. Eddie Morgan, Professor and Vice Chair in Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, is part of a team of Emory researchers who developed a system for generating “xenobiotic metabolites” –the breakdown products from environmental chemicals, so that they can be analyzed on a large scale. Potentially, the system could be used to establish how chemicals are metabolized and distinguish who has been exposed and how much, even if the original chemical is not present in the body anymore.
Dr. George Painter Led Discovery of Molnupiravir to Fight COVID-19
George Painter, PhD, the CEO of DRIVE (Drug Innovation Ventures at Emory), Director of the Emory Institute for Drug Development (EIDD), and Professor of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, has led the discovery of Molnupiravir to fight COVID-19. In 2021, Merck and Ridgeback's Molnupiravir received U.S. FDA emergency use authorization for the treatment of high-risk adults with mild to moderate COVID-19.
Dr. William Shafer Celebrated 40 Years at Emory, Editorial Board Re-Appointments
Bill Shafer, PhD, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Co-Director of the Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, and Senior Research Career Scientist at the Atlanta VA, celebrated his 40th year of employment at Emory University.
Dr. Shafer was also re-appointed to the editorial boards of two ASM journals: Infection and Immunity and Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.