Dr. Samuel Gellman stands as a preeminent figure in the field of chemical biology and peptide science, renowned for his transformative contributions to understanding molecular structure and function. He currently holds the distinguished Ralph F. Hirschmann Professorship in Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, complemented by his prestigious Vilas Research Professor designation and the Irving Shain Chair of Chemistry. After completing his undergraduate studies at Harvard University in 1981, he earned his PhD from Columbia University in 1986 under the mentorship of Ronald Breslow, followed by postdoctoral research at the California Institute of Technology with Peter Dervan. Dr. Gellman joined the University of Wisconsin faculty in 1987, progressing through the ranks to his current distinguished positions, establishing himself as a leader in chemical approaches to biological problems.
Dr. Gellman's pioneering research has fundamentally advanced our understanding of polypeptide folding and molecular recognition processes through innovative chemical synthesis approaches. His laboratory pioneered the development of foldamers, synthetic oligomers that mimic protein folding behavior while offering enhanced stability and novel functions beyond natural peptides. His team established critical design principles for creating small autonomous beta-sheets and developed groundbreaking alpha/beta/gamma-peptide scaffolds that effectively mimic alpha-helical structures with significant therapeutic potential. Additionally, his group created innovative synthetic amphiphiles that revolutionized membrane protein manipulation techniques, providing researchers with powerful new tools for structural biology studies.
Beyond his research achievements, Dr. Gellman has profoundly influenced the scientific community through extensive mentorship and leadership roles, having guided 79 doctoral students and 32 postdoctoral researchers who now contribute significantly across academia and industry. He served as co-chair of the Peptides Gordon Research Conference in 2010 and has held influential positions including membership on the NIH Medicinal Chemistry Study Section and the NIGMS Advisory Council. His current service includes the Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology and the Board of Trustees of the Gordon Research Conferences, where he continues to shape national research priorities. Dr. Gellman's highly collaborative research program integrates diverse methodologies from asymmetric organic synthesis to biochemical and cellular assays, maintaining its position at the forefront of chemical biology with ongoing innovations in biomimetic materials and therapeutic approaches.
