Chemistry Prof. Jetze J. Tepe Presented William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award

“For his research that transforms scientific discoveries into potential therapeutic applications, his teaching and mentoring of countless students, and his outreach to the cancer community, Jetze J. Tepe is highly deserving of the Michigan State University William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award.”

Prof. Tepe’s research program comprises an interdisciplinary blend of synthetic and medicinal chemistry that includes the total synthesis of natural products and the discovery of new reactions as well as the evaluation of natural products’ cellular mechanism and medicinal properties toward pressing needs in both cancer research and neurodegenerative diseases. His drug discovery program focuses on the discovery of innovative therapeutics to treat multiple myeloma. Other aspects of his research have addressed neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Dr. Tepe’s laboratory has developed small molecules to induce the degradation of the proteins that are hallmarks of those diseases.