QCRG Mentored Project Awardee

Project: "Developing screening methods to discover the next generation of SARS-CoV-2 MPro inhibitors"

Q1. What is your project focused on?

• My long-term research goal is to develop antivirals against SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. My project is focused on studying the main viral protease, which is an essential enzyme that regulates the processing of the majority of other viral proteins into their active form. Specifically,  I will develop tools to screen for new inhibitors of the viral protease as well as study potential drug-resistance mechanisms for currently approved inhibitors, such as Paxlovid.

Q2. How does your project align with the Center’s objectives?

• The overarching goal of my project is to build a platform to discover new inhibitors of the viral protease and preemptively determine if they lead to viral resistance prior to preclinical testing. This goal aligns well with the Center’s objectives of developing inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 viral protease and advance them to preclinical testing. 

Q3. What is the most inspiring aspect about your project/research focus?

• My project addresses real world developments relating to the COVID-19 pandemic such as the emergence of viral variants and drug-resistant mutants to current inhibitors. This excites and motivates me the most in pursuing this project and instills a sense of responsibility and dedication to see the project through to truly contribute to public health efforts against the pandemic.

Q4. Do you think collaboration is important for the progression of your research? If so, why are you interested in connecting with members of the QCRG?

• Absolutely! None of the methods I'm using or the way I'm using them are possible without the tremendous support of many research colleagues. The vast breadth and depth of scientific expertise at QCRG make me very excited to begin collaborations. I believe they are essential in helping me realize the full potential of my research project.

Q5. How has mentorship played a role in your scientific career? What do you think is the value of helping younger scientists learn from your knowledge?

• Mentorship has been paramount to my scientific career ranging from as early as high school teachers to my current postdoctoral mentors. I credit my mentors for instilling a highly collaborative and innovative scientific attitude in me. Science is all about making mistakes and learning from them; I believe that mentors help guide this process productively for younger scientists.

Q6. What are your thoughts on the importance of building pandemic preparedness?

• The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically demonstrated the dichotomy of outcomes between areas rapidly implementing pandemic countermeasures vs those without pandemic preparedness practices. The best example is mRNA vaccines and their rapid development which would not have been possible without ongoing research on this technology before the pandemic. I hope that the COVID-19 pandemic increases the vigilance of not only the scientific community but society at large of the importance of pandemic preparedness.