2014 Ferrier Lecture
The 2014 Ferrier Lecture will be delivered next month by Professor Jef De Brabander from The University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center, United States.
In his lecture, entitled 'Natural Products: Discoveries in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry and Biology', Professor De Brabander will discuss a unique drug development aimed at the treatment of pneumonia and other life threatening infections.
He will present the results of his studies related to an antibiotic, isolated from a microbe found in the mangrove swamps in the Bahamas, called Mangrolide A. The studies were carried out in collaboration with John MacMillan at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
The Ferrier Lecture was established in honour of Emeritus Professor Robert (Robin) J. Ferrier, one of New Zealand’s eminent chemists and a leader in the field of carbohydrate chemistry.
Supported through the Victoria University Foundation by Dr Peppi Prasit, a former PhD student of Robin Ferrier, the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry, and Victoria’s Faculty of Science, the Ferrier Lecture aims to bring internationally-renowned scientists to Wellington to deliver a public lecture and inspire current students.
Details
- When: Wednesday 12 March, 5.30pm
- Where: Memorial Theatre, Kelburn Campus, Victoria University of Wellington
- Contact: To RSVP email scps@vuw.ac.nz or phone 04-463 5335 by 5 March.
If you would like to make a gift to ensure the Ferrier Lecture can continue in perpetuity, you can make a tax-deductible donation through the Victoria University Foundation using this link.
About Professor Jef De Brabander
Jef De Brabander is Professor of Biochemistry at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, United States, where he has taught since 1998 and currently holds the Julie and Louis Beecherl, Jr., Chair in Medical Science. He is Co-Director of the Chemistry and Cancer Scientific Program of the Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, and serves on the Science Advisory Board of Reata Pharmaceuticals and SynAlpha Therapeutics - companies he co-founded.
Professor De Brabander was an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellow from 2001 to 2003. He received the Royal Society and Académie des sciences Award from the Royal Academy of Sciences, Letters and Beautiful Arts of Belgium; a Journal Award from the editorial boards of Synlett and Synthesis; and an Academic Development Program Award from the Chemistry Council of Merck Research Laboratories.
For more information about Professor De Brabander please visit his homepage.