Dr. Alan Verkman is a world-renowned molecular biophysicist whose pioneering work has transformed our understanding of membrane transport proteins and their role in human disease. He currently serves as Professor Emeritus at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, where he has maintained an exceptionally productive research program spanning more than three decades. After completing his dual MD/PhD training, Dr. Verkman established himself as a leading authority in the field of membrane biophysics, with particular expertise in water and ion channel function. His early career achievements were recognized with election to the American Society for Clinical Investigation in 1989, marking the beginning of a distinguished scientific trajectory that would bridge fundamental biophysics and clinical medicine.
Dr. Verkman's groundbreaking research has fundamentally advanced the field of cystic fibrosis therapeutics through his seminal work on the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. His laboratory made critical discoveries in identifying and characterizing CFTR modulators, including the identification of the first CFTR potentiators and correctors that would later form the foundation for revolutionary cystic fibrosis treatments. With over 100,000 citations to his name, his work has directly influenced the development of small-molecule therapies that target the underlying molecular defect in cystic fibrosis. Dr. Verkman's innovative approaches to drug discovery have bridged molecular biophysics and clinical medicine, resulting in multiple patentable compounds that have advanced from basic research through preclinical development toward clinical application.
Beyond his research achievements, Dr. Verkman has played a pivotal role in shaping the cystic fibrosis research landscape through his leadership of the CF Research Development Program at UCSF and extensive international collaborations. His laboratory's identification of the first CFTR potentiators and correctors in the early 2000s catalyzed an entire field of therapeutic development that has since produced life-changing treatments for cystic fibrosis patients. Recognized with the Paul Quinton Cystic Fibrosis Research Legacy Award and the forthcoming Hans H. Ussing Award from the American Physiological Society in 2025, his work continues to influence both academic research and pharmaceutical development. Dr. Verkman's ongoing studies on aquaporin water channels and their role in neurological conditions demonstrate his continued commitment to translating basic biophysical discoveries into potential therapeutic interventions for multiple diseases.
