Laura J. Peek

 

Laura, a 2002-2006 Self Fellow, received her Ph.D. in pharmaceutical chemistry in 2006. She received a B.S. (2002) in chemistry and a minor in mathematics summa cum laude from Baker University. Laura's KU research focused on developing a systematic approach to preformulation development, specifically of recombinant protein vaccine candidates. The goals was for this three-step approach to more thorough, faster, and much less wasteful of the recombinant protein. She also worked to develop a library of GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) compounds to compile a thorough, successful library to rapidly screen for stabilizers of all recombinant protein vaccine candidates. Although this approach was being developed for vaccines, it also should be useful for the development of other classes of protein-based pharmaceuticals. Getting drugs to the market faster will benefit all of society by making them available sooner to those individuals who would benefit from their use. At KU Laura applied this approach to vaccine candidates for malaria, anthrax and ricin. She also studied changes that occur in protein structure when adsorbed to aluminum salt adjuvants. Laura is currently a Senior Scientist at Oncimmune US in Lenexa, Kansas. Mentor: Charles R. Middaugh, Distinguished Professor, Pharmaceutical Chemistry