Dr. Robert Roskoski Jr. is a distinguished molecular biologist and leading authority in protein kinase research and drug development. He currently serves as Scientific Director and President of the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, an independent non-profit organization he founded in 2006. Holding both MD and PhD credentials, Dr. Roskoski has dedicated his career to advancing the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying disease and therapeutic interventions. His establishment of BRIMR in Western North Carolina created a unique scientific think tank focused on protein kinase research and biomedical funding analysis.
Dr. Roskoski's pioneering work focuses on the structure and regulation of protein kinases, their signaling pathways, and therapeutic drugs that inhibit these enzymes, with his research providing critical insights into the molecular mechanisms of protein phosphorylation. He has systematically cataloged and analyzed all FDA-approved protein kinase inhibitors, with his 2024 update documenting 94 such drugs that target various forms of cancer and inflammatory diseases including breast, kidney, and lung cancers as well as rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis. His detailed analyses of how these anticancer and anti-inflammatory agents interact with their target protein kinase enzymes have become essential references for researchers and clinicians worldwide. The impact of his work is evident in the regular approval of new protein kinase inhibitors, with two to three new drugs of this type gaining FDA approval annually.
Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Roskoski has established BRIMR as an invaluable resource for the scientific community through two unique datasets: authoritative annual rankings of NIH funding to individual researchers and academic institutions, and a comprehensive catalog of chemical, pharmacological, and clinical characteristics of all protein-kinase inhibitor drugs. His institute functions as a scientific think tank that synthesizes information from biochemistry, molecular biology, chemical biology, structural biology, and cancer biology to deepen understanding of protein kinase inhibitors' mechanisms of action. As NIH releases new funding data for fiscal year 2025, Dr. Roskoski continues to lead BRIMR's efforts to compile and validate these rankings, ensuring transparency and accuracy in research funding assessment. His ongoing commitment to maintaining up-to-date information on protein kinase inhibitors positions him as an essential contributor to the advancement of targeted cancer therapies and inflammatory disease treatments.
