The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will host Dr. John Androsavich ’07 who will discuss the promise of biomedical research as part of a public lecture at 7 p.m. Nov. 9.
The free talk,” So What’s Next? The Era of Smart Medicines Designed for You,” is part of the Carol A. Baker Speaker Series and will be held in the Mukaiyama University Room. Light refreshments will be served.
Androsavich is global head, RNA medicine lead at Pfizer. Prior to that, he served as senior director of pulmonary and liver research at Translate Bio. He has 15 years of experience in RNA research.
After receiving his Bachelor of Science in 2007 from Pitt-Bradford, Androsavich went on to earn a doctorate in chemical biology from the University of Michigan.
Androsavich describes his current role as one of business development in which he engages with academics, technicians, researchers and company executives and is always on the lookout for new therapeutic applications of RNA.
RNA are tiny molecules produced in the body that can help regulate mammalian immune response to microbes that cause disease. Androsavich became interested in the promise of RNA in 2006, when Andrew Fire and Craig Mello received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their finding of RNA interference.
More recently, RNA technology has entered the public consciousness as the mechanism that allowed for quick development of vaccines for COVID-19. The success of mRNA vaccines has spurred interest from investors who are looking to fund new opportunities for biotech innovations.
Androsavich is hopeful that discoveries in RNA delivery, which he cites as the biggest existing challenge, will further bolster RNA as a powerful class of medications.
“CRISPR (a new gene-editing process) has caused a revolution in cellular and molecular research, and we are on the precipice of a … revolution in medicine. CRISPR is fundamentally an RNA technology,” Androsavich said during an interview for a story published in Portraits magazine, the university’s alumni and general interest magazine.
There has never been a more exciting time in biomedical research
Dr. Carol Baker, for whom the biology guest lecture series is named, is a biologist and was the vice president and dean of academic affairs at Pitt-Bradford from 1989 until 2002.
“Dr. Androsavich’s research is at the forefront of modern, personalized medicine,” said Dr. David Merwine, chair of the Division of Biological and Health Sciences and associate professor of biology. “We are blessed that he was available to be our first Baker speaker.”
“Our students are very excited to hear from a highly successful Pitt-Bradford graduate, as are many of the faculty who remember him as well. We are thrilled that the new Baker Speaker Series will bring scientists to campus who can speak to the public about their research and also meet with our students and faculty.”
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