Georg Wondrak, PhD named recipient of the inaugural R. Ken and Donna Coit Professorship

Recently, Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Georg Wondrak, PhD was named as the recipient of the inaugural R. Ken and Donna Coit professorship. He joins Xinxin Ding, PhD and Wei Wang, PhD who are also recipients of the R. Ken and Donna Coit professorship.

This professorship will provide Dr. Wondrak, a leader in the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy community, the funds to continue his research. This recognition is not only a means of funding, but also a distinction of his innovation, leadership, and purpose.

These recognitions indicate Dr. Wondrak’s dedication to the betterment of healthcare for all through his leadership role in the research enterprise of the college.

As well as being a professor, Dr. Wondrak serves as the Director of Graduate Studies and a member of the University of Arizona Cancer Center. He has previously won the 2020 University of Arizona College of Pharmacy Dr. James R. Halpert Faculty Research Award.

Dr. Wondrak has studied and worked at numerous institutions, positioned in Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Belgium, and the USA.

Now at the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, Dr. Wondrak described the college saying,

“The faculty body as well as graduate students and staff associated with our operation truly represent a microcosm that encompasses all aspects of a high-quality academic endeavor, improving the human condition through discovery and development of novel molecular therapeutics.”

The research that Dr. Wondrak is working on explores the interplay between environmental exposure and molecular stress response pathways that play a critical role in health and disease. Specifically, ​​dysregulated cell stress response pathways are now recognized as critical determinants of cancer vulnerability and progression, key factors that are impacted by environmental exposure such as solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

“My translational research tries to target cancer cell stress responses harnessing the destructive power of free radicals and other reactive molecules that have remained poorly investigated, such as ‘atomic oxygen’, ‘organic peroxides’, ‘hypochlorous acid’, and ‘deuterium oxide’ (also called ‘heavy water’),” Dr. Wondrak described.

The significance of Dr. Wondrak’s research is based on its translational potential to impact the health and well-being of large patient populations, on a global scale, in the near future.

One interesting aspect of the research is the methodologies and unique molecular interventions that are not traditionally leveraged by more conventional drug discovery operations (positioned in academia and industry). Dr. Wondrak explained that this is because they are considered ‘too experimental’, ‘too risky’, or ’too early’.

“Our experimental approach is most adequately referred to as ‘pushing the envelope’,” Dr. Wondrak explained. “Something that kept me in academia, even though I started my professional career in the pharmaceutical industry before embarking on my own academic drug discovery journey.”

When asked about the honor of receiving the professorship, Dr. Wondrak responded,”It feels good. I remember the moment that my chair told me, on a Saturday morning, via email, with the header ‘Coit Professor’, about this decision adding the statement ‘I hope this will cheer you up’.  It did, indeed.  It was a good day.  It was a good weekend.  And the feeling lasts. I am excited about being part of this first-class operation.”

Dr. Wondrak also noted the importance of people around him and how they influenced his research. He highlighted his mentors Drs. Mike and Elaine Jacobson,

“They are role models in many ways, especially with regard to social intelligence, academic engagement, and genuine love for the experimental sciences.”

The award is for an initial term of three years, with an opportunity to renew up to three additional years. The funds for these professorships have been generously provided to support and honor the research work that the recipients are doing.

Please help us in celebrating Dr. Wondrak on this impressive achievement and the selfless leadership he has provided R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy.

Story by: Gracie Lordi