Pfizer Scientists Enrich the Learning Experience for U-M Pharmacy Students

By Katrina Lexa

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ommitted to keeping outstanding research local, the College of Pharmacy and the University teamed up to recruit 10, top former Pfizer scientists. College research and academics have benefited significantly as a result.

These scientists not only bring decades of industry drug discovery experience spanning synthetic to computational chemistry, they also offer unique learning opportunities for Pharmacy students. One such opportunity is the Medicinal Chemistry Core Synthesis Lab (MCCSL): a gateway to collaborations with scientists throughout the University.

Research professors affiliated with MCCSL are mentoring students in their labs, providing an in-depth experience in drug design and synthesis that wasn't available before.

The Pfizer scientists also bring a more pronounced industry perspective to research.

"We were hired for our drug discovery expertise, and our experience in advancing compounds from the lab to the clinic. These are skill sets not typically found in academia," explains Scott Larsen, PhD, a former Pfizer scientist, now a research professor at the MCCSL.

For years, Pfizer scientists have taught course sections. Now they have the opportunity to work directly with students on a continuous basis.

I not only have the satisfaction of mentoring students, I also feel as if I am having a direct impact on the development of future science talent," observes Larsen.

James Dunbar, PhD, a former Pfizer scientist in the research group of Medicinal Chemistry Associate Professor Heather Carlson, enjoys the comparatively relaxed pace of academic science.

"The standards are still high -- good scientists are good scientists, everywhere -- but there is not the frantic pressure you find in industry," he notes. "There is more freedom to pursue your own ideas, and to explore the literature."

However, some aspects of academic science require a new mindset. Unlike commercial pharma, there are fewer available resources in academic research; and the need to write grants for research funding is a new concept for those who cut their research teeth in industry. Yet Pfizer scientists are adapting: attending grant writing conferences and becoming co-investigators on grants with other faculty.

The Pfizer scientists have been contributing not just to research and mentoring at the College of Pharmacy, but also to PhD courses. Larsen and Hollis Showalter, PhD, research professor and director of UMCDD/MCCSL, are developing new course offerings, including a new medicinal chemistry course entitled Principles of Drug Design for fall 2008.

"I also hope to introduce a course on heterocyclic synthesis," Showalter states. "Since most drugs are made up of heterocycles, a well-rounded medicinal chemist should understand heterocylic chemistry."

The students are enthusiastic about having Pfizer scientists as mentors.

Jessica Bell, a first-year medicinal chemistry PhD student rotated with Larsen in winter term 2008.

"You can learn a lot from someone like Scott," she says. "I think it's great that the College has recruited industry scientists with many years of experience in drug discovery and development."

Chris George, another first-year medicinal chemistry PhD student who rotated with Larsen adds: "Scott is really hands-on, very willing to teach me what he knows."

Anjette Turbiak, a second-year medicinal chemistry PhD student who works in Showalter's lab enjoys his bottom line orientation.

"Working for Hollis, you're always thinking long-term, to the application." She explains. "During our journal club, Scott does a great job of presenting a paper and then explaining why Pfizer scientists made the substitutions they did."

Having former industry scientists at the College, will help attract both top students and faculty, remarks Ronald Woodard, PhD, chairman and professor of the Department of Medicinal Chemistry.

"Because we have dramatically expanded our capacity to help medicinal chemistry scientists conduct translational research, we are attracting a lot of interest inside and outside the University," Woodard notes. "We're providing services and expertise that will speed a discovery from bench to bedside. That's the kind of research and education enterprise that generates excitement; and that excitement will help attract the highest caliber students, researchers, scientists and educators."

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Katrina Lexa is a second-year medicinal chemistry graduate student in the research group of Associate Professor Healther Carlson.