Lead Selection & Optimization

Dr. Erland Stevens is a distinguished faculty member in the Chemistry department at Davidson College, bringing a wealth of experience in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery to his role. After earning his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1997, specializing in nitrogen heterocycles under Will Pearson, Stevens pursued postdoctoral studies at The Scripps Research Institute with K. Barry Sharpless. Joining Davidson College in 1998, he has since become a cornerstone of the chemistry program, regularly teaching medicinal chemistry to junior and senior undergraduates. Stevens' expertise extends beyond academia, as evidenced by his involvement in the continuing education program at GlaxoSmithKline's Research Triangle Park site in 2006 and 2007. His contributions to the field include authoring the textbook "Medicinal Chemistry: The Modern Drug Discovery Process," published by Pearson Education, which has likely become a valuable resource for students and professionals in the field. Stevens' research focuses on the synthesis and activity of antiviral nucleoside analogues, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to advancing pharmaceutical science. His career exemplifies the integration of academic research, industry relevance, and dedicated teaching in the field of medicinal chemistry.

Dr. Alan P. Brown is a Director in Preclinical Safety at Novartis, where he supports therapeutic programs focused on cardiovascular disease. His responsibilities include evaluating compounds for in-licensing and acquisitions, co-chairing a liver safety advisory team, and conducting educational workshops for colleagues at Novartis. Dr. Brown holds a Bachelor of Science in microbiology from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in pharmacology and toxicology from the University of Arizona. He completed postdoctoral research at Michigan State University and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology. With extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, he plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and efficacy of new therapeutic compounds.

Dr. Douglas S. Auld serves as the Associate Director of Discovery Sciences in Biomedical Research at Novartis, where he focuses on advancing therapeutic programs. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina under the guidance of Professor Gary J. Pielak and completed postdoctoral training at MIT with Professor Paul Schimmel. Dr. Auld played a pivotal role in establishing Pharmacopeia, a company that utilized combinatorial chemistry and ultra-high-throughput screening (HTS) to facilitate drug discovery. In 2004, he was instrumental in launching the NIH Chemical Genomics Center (NCGC), where he contributed to its development into a center of scientific excellence and received the NIH Merit Award for his leadership in 2006. Since joining Novartis in 2010, Dr. Auld's lab has provided assay development expertise and innovative technologies to support drug development efforts, and he has authored over 110 scientific publications while lecturing internationally on his research.

Dr. Sujal Deshmukh is the Director of Pharmacokinetic Sciences within the Biomedical Research division at Novartis, where he oversees the Global In Vitro ADME group. He obtained his Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Deshmukh joined Merck Research Laboratories in the DMPK department, where he supported projects during the discovery phase. After his tenure at Merck, he transitioned to Novartis, where he focuses on evaluating and characterizing the in vitro clearance, permeability, drug-drug interactions, and distribution properties of new molecules. His expertise plays a crucial role in advancing drug development efforts at Novartis, ensuring that new therapeutic candidates meet the necessary pharmacokinetic profiles for clinical success.

Dr. W. Ross Tracey is the Associate Director of Biomedical Research Learning at Novartis, based in Cambridge, MA, USA. He is responsible for consulting on, developing, and delivering educational courses focused on drug discovery and development. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Tracey collaborates with project teams to enhance decision-making processes, manage risks, and share valuable lessons learned. He is also dedicated to external knowledge sharing, particularly in developing scientific capabilities in low- and middle-income countries.