Richard DiMarchi

Professor Juan R. Del Valle is a distinguished chemist specializing in organic synthesis and chemical biology. He currently holds the position of W.K. Warren Family Professor at the University of Notre Dame, where he also serves as Associate Chair of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. His research is conducted within the Warren Family Research Center for Drug Discovery & Development, focusing on the design of biologically active peptidomimetics and small molecules.

Academic Background

Dr. Del Valle earned his B.A. in Chemistry from Carleton College in 1999, followed by a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of California, San Diego, in 2004. He completed postdoctoral research at the University of Montreal before embarking on his academic career. Prior to joining Notre Dame in 2019, he held faculty positions at New Mexico State University and the University of South Florida, where he was also affiliated with the Moffitt Cancer Center.

Research Focus

Professor Del Valle's research lies at the intersection of organic synthesis and chemical biology. His laboratory is dedicated to the structure-based design and synthesis of peptidomimetics and small molecules that modulate protein-protein interactions, PPIs. Key areas of investigation include:

• Development of constrained peptides targeting PPIs relevant to cancer, neurodegeneration, and infectious diseases.
• Total synthesis and optimization of non-ribosomal peptide natural products with unique backbone modifications.
• Design of modulators for the endoplasmic reticulum, ER, stress response, particularly inhibitors of the IRE1/XBP1 signaling pathway.

Notable Contributions

Dr. Del Valle has made significant contributions to the field of chemical biology through the synthesis of complex natural products and the development of novel peptidomimetic scaffolds. His work on ER stress modulators has provided insights into therapeutic strategies for diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, advancing the understanding of peptide-based drug design.

Awards and Honors

Professor Del Valle's excellence in research and teaching has been recognized with several awards, including:

• CIBA Young Scientist Award, ACS Younger Chemists Committee, 2010
• Milestone Award, Miles for Moffitt Foundation, 2010
• Undergraduate Teaching Award, University of South Florida, 2018,

Professional Engagements

Beyond his research endeavors, Dr. Del Valle is actively involved in the scientific community. He serves on editorial boards, participates in grant review panels, and contributes to the organization of scientific conferences. His commitment to education is evident through his mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students, fostering the next generation of scientists.

Through his innovative research and dedication to teaching, Professor Juan R. Del Valle continues to make impactful contributions to the fields of organic chemistry and chemical biology.