Dr. Thomas C. Terwilliger is a distinguished leader in computational structural biology whose pioneering work has transformed methodologies for macromolecular structure determination. He currently holds the prestigious position of Laboratory Fellow at Los Alamos National Laboratory and serves as a Senior Scientist at the New Mexico Consortium, where he continues to advance cutting-edge research at the intersection of computation and structural biology. A magna cum laude graduate with an AB in Physics from Harvard College in 1978, he earned his PhD in Molecular Biology in 1981, establishing the foundation for his distinguished career in structural biology methodology. His early promise was recognized through his appointment as a Presidential Young Investigator at the University of Chicago, a position that launched his trajectory as one of the most influential figures in computational approaches to structural biology.
Dr. Terwilliger's groundbreaking research has centered on developing sophisticated algorithms for macromolecular structure determination, with particular focus on solving the phase problem in X-ray crystallography. His development of computational tools, including the SOLVE and RESOLVE software systems, has revolutionized the process of determining protein structures, dramatically accelerating the pace of structural biology research worldwide. These innovative methodologies have become essential resources for structural biologists, enabling more efficient and accurate determination of complex protein structures that underpin critical biological functions. The widespread adoption of his computational approaches has transformed structural biology into a more accessible and powerful discipline for investigating the molecular mechanisms of life.
As a recently elected member of the National Academy of Sciences and a Fellow of the American Crystallographic Association, Dr. Terwilliger has profoundly shaped the field through both his scientific contributions and leadership in the scientific community. His work at the Biosecurity and Public Health Division of Los Alamos National Laboratory has extended the applications of structural biology to critical areas of public health and biosecurity. Currently focusing on advancing computational methods for determining increasingly challenging protein structures, his research continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in structural biology. Dr. Terwilliger's enduring legacy lies in his transformative contributions to structural biology methodology, which have enabled researchers worldwide to unlock the molecular mechanisms underlying health and disease.
