Dr. Richard H. Scheller is a distinguished molecular neurobiologist renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to understanding the fundamental mechanisms of neural communication. He currently serves as Chairman of R&D at BridgeBio Pharma, leveraging decades of experience spanning academic research and biotechnology leadership. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.S. in biochemistry, he earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from the California Institute of Technology before undertaking a postdoctoral fellowship in the Division of Biology at the California Institute of Technology in 1980, and subsequently a postdoctoral fellowship in Molecular Neurobiology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1981. His career trajectory includes fourteen years of impactful leadership at Genentech, where he served as Executive Vice President for Research and Early Development and Chief Scientific Officer, overseeing the company's research strategy and drug discovery efforts following its merger with Roche.
Scheller's seminal research elucidated the molecular machinery responsible for neurotransmitter release, demonstrating how proteins associated with synaptic vesicles control the precise timing of neural communication. His laboratory's identification and cloning of key proteins involved in membrane fusion established the universal mechanism underlying intracellular transport and synaptic signaling across all cells. This foundational work, which earned him the 2013 Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award and the 2010 Kavli Prize in Neuroscience, provided critical insights into neural communication that have informed our understanding of neurological disorders and influenced therapeutic development approaches. Scheller further expanded his contributions through research on Rab GTPases, which regulate intracellular transport mechanisms essential for cellular function, demonstrating the universal applicability of his discoveries beyond neuroscience.
Beyond his laboratory discoveries, Scheller has significantly shaped the biotechnology landscape through leadership roles that bridge academic research and pharmaceutical development. His tenure at Genentech exemplifies his commitment to translating basic science into life-saving therapies, overseeing the development of numerous groundbreaking biologic medicines. Currently serving on the boards of multiple innovative biotech companies including 23andMe, Alector, and Maze Therapeutics, as well as on the Caltech Board of Trustees, Scheller continues to influence the direction of biomedical research and therapeutic development. His career demonstrates a remarkable ability to connect molecular insights with practical applications that address human health challenges while advancing scientific understanding of cellular communication mechanisms.
