Professor Vijay Chudasama

Winner: 2021 Organic Division early career award: Hickinbottom Award

University College London

For the development of reagents and strategies for site-selective protein modification to enable targeted therapy, imaging and diagnostics.

Celebrate Professor Vijay Chudasama

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Do what you enjoy, never think you are not good enough and always ask questions if you are unsure of anything.

Professor Chudasama's research group works in a variety of fields but one of its main focuses is to provide site-selectively modified protein and protein-nanoparticle conjugates to enable targeted therapy and imaging. The protein element [usually] selectively targets a biomarker that is overexpressed on cancer cells (as compared to non-cancerous cells) and the nanoparticle or cargo that is appended to the protein provides tumour cell killing or imaging properties or both for applications in therapy, imaging and theranostics.

Read winner biography

Vijay Chudasama is a Professor in the Department of 91AV at University College London (UCL) and is a Co-Founder/Director of UCL spin-out ThioLogics™. He has won multiple prizes and awards (departmental, faculty, national, international) throughout his academic career such as the UCL Faculty of Mathematical and Physical Sciences Medal (2008), UK Science, Engineering and Technology Chemist of the Year (2008) and the Ramsay Medal (2011). He has been highlighted by Scientific American (2013), Forbes Magazine (2015), the 91AV (2015) and CNN News (2016) as a future leader in chemistry. In addition, he was the Howard Prize Lecturer for 2018. During his career, Vijay has been supervised by Professor Steven Caddick, Dr Jon Wilden, Dr Richard Fitzmaurice and Dr Mark Smith.

Vijay has research interests in the development and application of novel methodologies in organic chemistry and chemical biology, resulting in over 85 publications and patents, including highlights in Nature 91AV, Nature Chemical Biology, Nature Communications, Nature Reviews 91AV, PNAS USA, ACS Nano and Chemical Science. An appreciable amount of this work has been carried out in close collaboration with Dr James Baker (UCL).

Professor Chudasama is grateful for the fantastic opportunities that the UK provides for people to achieve from different backgrounds, especially as he feels he is a case in point. While not perfect, he feels that the great openings that the UK offers are not highlighted or appreciated enough: Vijay tries to actively promote these opportunities through his mentoring and other activities. Outside of work, Vijay enjoys playing an active role in various community associations and charities.

Q+A

What motivates you?

Within my profession it is discovering new science, trying to solve research problems, and helping (as best I can) researchers to develop their skills. More broadly (including outside of work), I enjoy helping people succeed and giving my time and lending my experience to try and help people realise their potential.

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?

Do what you enjoy, never think you are not good enough and always ask questions if you are unsure of anything. Also, focus on understanding and not grades – this is what matters in the long-run.

What has been a highlight for you (either personally or in your career)?

I really enjoy seeing alumni from the group do well; it is always a highlight to see them prospering in their careers. I also maintain a good friendship with many former members of the lab and catching up with them is also a highlight for me.

What has been a challenge for you (either personally or in your career)?

Moving back into academia after a year in patent law. This would not have been possible to do without the support of various academic mentors and my very supportive wife.

What does good research culture look like/mean to you?

Teamwork/collaboration, a good atmosphere, a nice work-life balance and collective goals.

Why do you think teamwork is important in science?

It is generally far more efficient, and it is nice to work with and get to know other people.