by Bill Snyder
The year is starting off with a bang for Craig Lindsley, PhD, director of medicinal chemistry in the Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (VCNDD).
Earlier this month Lindsley won the inaugural Scientific Achievement Award in Drug Discovery and Development from the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.
This week he was named the 2019 recipient of the Robert M. Scarborough Award for Excellence in Medicinal Chemistry by the American Chemical Society (ACS). The award, given to scientists under 50, recognizes contributions to the field of medicinal chemistry.
Lindsley was recognized by the ACS Division of Medicinal Chemistry for development of allosteric modulators, compounds that — like the dimmer switch in an electrical circuit — adjust the activity of receptors in the brain and which could lead to new treatments for disorders ranging from schizophrenia to Alzheimer’s disease.
“Being recognized with this award is a tremendous honor,” said Lindsley, the William K. Warren Jr. Professor of Medicine and University Professor of Pharmacology and Biochemistry in the Vanderbilt School of Medicine and University Professor of Chemistry in the College of Arts and Science.
“Excellence in medicinal chemistry requires close collaboration with exceptional colleagues across many disciplines,” he said. “I have had the privilege to collaborate with (VCNDD Director) Jeff Conn, PhD, both at Merck and Vanderbilt, as well as VCNDD scientists who have enabled such progress in the allosteric modulator field.”
“These two awards are just the latest in a series of honors that recognize Professor Lindsley’s impressive contributions to medicinal chemistry and drug discovery,” said Lawrence Marnett, PhD, Dean of Basic Sciences. “We are very fortunate to have him as a colleague and are very proud of his numerous accomplishments.”
Lindsley’s latest award is named for the late Robert M. Scarborough, PhD, a leading medicinal chemist who discovered two major cardiovascular drugs. The award, sponsored by Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc., will be presented to Lindsley in August 2019 during the ACS national meeting in San Diego.
“Professor Lindsley’s contributions place him amongst the top tier of scientists in pharmacology and drug discovery,” said Joey Barnett, Acting Chair, Department of Pharmacology. “In addition to the benefits his work will provide for those who are waiting for new therapies and insights to disease, Professor Lindsley is helping to shape an entire generation of trainees who benefit from his example and mentorship.”