Location: McKinley Hall, Room 224

Watkins Visiting Professor to discuss de novo proteins and integrin antagonists

Bill DeGrado, Toby Herfindal Presidential Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of California San Francisco, will give a scientific lecture, "Use of integrin antagonists to disrupt pathological mechanical force-dependent processes in fibrosis and severe asthma."

DeGrado is an early pioneer in the field of protein design, and coined the term de novo protein design, meaning the design of proteins from first principles. His research has led to the discovery of Brilacidin, which is now in Phase 3 clinical trials for drug-resistant Staphylococcal aureus infections, and integrin inhibitors for treating Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

The Watkins Visiting Professorship was created in 1974 by the Watkins Foundation. The grant is now provided through the Watkins fund, a part of the Wichita State Foundation and Alumni Engagement’s endowment. For more information about the lecture series, contact Dr. David Eichhorn, associate dean for faculty development and research, at 316-978-6659.