When Alexander Ploss’ team discovered a compound that blocks the cancer-causing hepatitis B virus in lab experiments, the Princeton associate professor of molecular biology immediately grasped the potential benefit for society. He also knew that laboratory findings typically require additional research before they are ready for testing in patients.
The triple-digit temperatures sweeping across the country this summer go far beyond routine weather fluctuations. Indeed, June 2021 was the hottest June in the history of national weather records, and by the end of July, fully 40% of the nation was experiencing drought, which contributed to a western wildfire season whose smoke reached from coast to coast. The soaring temperatures and raging fires, say experts, point inexorably to the impact of human-caused global climate change.
On July 27, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) named cancer therapeutics and Princeton spin-out company Kayothera Inc. winner of its 2021 Start-up Stadium competition. The company was selected as the winner from 16 finalist companies who were judged on the strength of their commercially viable cutting-edge technologies and therapeutic solutions.
Andrea Goldsmith, dean of engineering and applied science and the Arthur LeGrand Doty Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Princeton, was elected to Intel’s board of directors, effective Sept. 1. She will serve as an independent director.
Lynn Loo, director of the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, is stepping down to become the first chief executive officer of the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation. The newly founded organization is based in Singapore.
Loo is also the Theodora D. ’78 and William H. Walton III ’74 Professor in Engineering and professor of chemical and biological engineering. She will take a two-year leave from Princeton University to fulfill her new role, effective August 1, 2021.
Two Princeton graduate students, Micah Burton and Lisset Duran, have been awarded Gilliam Fellowships from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. These fellowships are awarded to graduate students conducting outstanding research in their respective fields, and their advisers, who are dedicated to creating a more inclusive academic environment through their mentorship.
Mohammad Seyedsayamdost, a biological chemist investigating the synthesis of novel molecules with therapeutic properties, has been promoted to full professor in the Department of Chemistry. He leads the Seyedsayamdost Group, or “Mo” Lab, a lab under the departments of both chemistry and molecular biology.
Nine exploratory research projects have been selected to receive support from the Dean for Research Innovation Fund, including two environmental research projects that establish new collaborations with industry partners. These research projects are in the early stages of investigation — a time when research funding can be difficult to secure. The collaborations receiving funding are a wastewater treatment project led by Peter Jaffé in partnership with The Chemours Company, and an energy conservation project led by Minjie Chen in partnership with EnaChip Inc.
The Ludwig Princeton Branch, a new branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research on Princeton’s campus, seeks to fill new research roles investigating cancer metabolism and progression. The roles are Ludwig Princeton Associate Research Scholar and Ludwig Postdoctoral Research Associate at Princeton.
