Dr. Joe McCord stands as a pioneering figure in the field of biochemistry whose groundbreaking early work established the foundation for modern redox biology. He currently maintains his primary academic appointment as Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus where he has been affiliated since relocating to the Webb-Waring Institute in 1990. Educated at Rhodes College where he earned his B.S. in chemistry in 1966, he completed his doctoral training under Irwin Fridovich at Duke University, receiving his Ph.D. in biochemistry in 1970. Prior to his long-standing position at Colorado, Dr. McCord served as Chairman of the biochemistry department at the University of South Alabama for nine years, demonstrating his leadership capabilities within academic medicine.
Dr. McCord's most seminal contribution to science came during his graduate studies when he co-discovered the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), a finding that fundamentally transformed our understanding of aerobic metabolism and launched the entire field of redox biology. This discovery revealed how organisms protect themselves from the damaging effects of oxygen radicals, establishing the critical role of superoxide in inflammation, immunological processes, and various disease conditions including ischemia-reperfusion injury. His subsequent research has elucidated the dual nature of superoxide as both a destructive byproduct of metabolism and an essential component of immune response mechanisms. With over 200 scientific publications cited nearly 38,000 times, his work represents one of the most influential bodies of research in modern biochemistry, earning him recognition as a Redox Pioneer by the scientific community.
Beyond his foundational research, Dr. McCord has demonstrated remarkable translational vision by co-founding Pathways Bioscience to develop therapeutic approaches that support the body's natural defense mechanisms against aging and disease. As the founder and first elected President of what is now the Society for Redox Biology and Medicine, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of this critical scientific field for decades. His recent research has focused intensively on the Nrf2 transcription factor pathway, investigating how this master regulator controls the expression of two thousand human genes involved in cellular protection. Currently, Dr. McCord continues to advance our understanding of redox biology through both academic research at the University of Colorado and applied science through Pathways Bioscience, maintaining his position as a leading authority whose work continues to influence both basic science and clinical applications worldwide.
