Robyn Wells, a fourth-year PhD student in the Medicinal Chemistry Research Group at the University of Liverpool, won the poster prize at the 2024 New Therapeutics in Global Health conference.
The conference, organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Biological and Medicinal Chemistry Sector (BMCS), brings together researchers from academia and industry to communicate advances in medicinal chemistry of new medicines for diseases affecting global health whilst also showcasing creativity and innovation in drug design.
Robyn’s research has focused on the medicinal chemistry optimisation of molecules known as 5-amino-1,2,4-thiadiazoles which are being developed as antimalarial agents. Her work involves the optimisation of the structure activity profile of this novel class of antimalarials whilst improving their distribution, metabolism and pharmacokinetic properties (DMPK).
Robyn’s award-winning poster summarises her PhD project to date on compounds that an exciting alternative to current used antimalarial therapies. Analogues prepared by Robyn maintain a chloroquine-like activity profile whilst retaining activity in chloroquine resistant malaria strains making them an exciting prospect in the treatment of chloroquine-resistant malaria.
Robyn said:
“Attending the New Therapeutics in Global Health conference was an incredible opportunity to network with major researchers within my field. The experience helped me to solidify my knowledge of my project, whilst conversing with experts in the field. It’s definitely allowed me to develop new research questions which will enhance the quality of outputs of my research. I would recommend attending this conference to anyone who is interested in global therapeutics.”