Dr. Arieh Warshel is a distinguished pioneer in computational chemistry whose groundbreaking methodologies have revolutionized the study of molecular interactions in biological systems. He currently serves as Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and holds the Dana and David Dornsife Chair in Chemistry at the University of Southern California, where he has maintained his research laboratory since 1976. Born on November 20, 1940, in Kibbutz Sde-Nahum, Israel, Warshel earned his BSc in Chemistry from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in 1966 and completed both his MSc and PhD in Chemical Physics at the Weizmann Institute of Science in 1967 and 1969 respectively. His early career included significant postdoctoral research at Harvard University under Martin Karplus and subsequent positions at the Weizmann Institute and the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, England.
Professor Warshel's seminal contributions established the theoretical foundation for multiscale modeling of complex chemical systems, particularly through his development of the quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics QM/MM method for simulating enzymatic reactions. Alongside Martin Karplus and Michael Levitt, he created computational approaches that selectively apply quantum mechanical calculations to reaction sites while employing classical mechanics for surrounding molecular environments, enabling accurate prediction of chemical reaction pathways. This pioneering work, which formed the basis for most contemporary biomolecular simulation software packages, fundamentally transformed how scientists study enzyme catalysis and molecular dynamics in biological contexts. The profound impact of these computational models spans across biochemistry, pharmacology, and drug design, providing essential tools for understanding molecular behavior at unprecedented levels of detail.
As the recipient of the 2013 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Professor Warshel's legacy continues to shape the field through his ongoing research and mentorship. His laboratory at USC remains at the forefront of advancing computational techniques to elucidate enzyme catalysis mechanisms, study protein folding dynamics, and investigate large biological systems including molecular motors and ion channels. Current research directions focus on computer-aided drug design and developing strategies to combat drug resistance, demonstrating his commitment to translating theoretical insights into practical medical applications. Professor Warshel's enduring influence extends beyond his publications through his role in training generations of computational chemists who continue to advance the sophisticated modeling approaches he pioneered throughout his illustrious career.
