Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
Dr. Corinne E. Augelli-Szafran recently joined the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics as a Professor in the Heersink School of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is highly regarded as an experienced drug hunter, medicinal chemist and prolific inventor in which her innovative work has led to several ground breaking patents including novel synthetic compounds and treatments for various diseases, including deadly viruses, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and Cystic Fibrosis.
Dr. Augelli-Szafran has extensive experience in the areas of: a) hit-to-lead optimization and development of pre-IND/IND candidates; b) conversion of novel, tractable compounds into clinically useful candidates with optimized biological and physical properties; and c) forming and operating successful collaborations with academic and commercial partners, such that urgency and timeliness of data is achieved.
With more than three decades of drug development and leadership experience in big pharma (Parke-Davis and Pfizer), academia (Harvard Medical School and Brigham & Women’s Hospital) and not-for-profit (Southern Research) organizations, she has managed over 40 different drug discovery programs covering more than 15 different therapeutic areas which has led to 27 US patents and 20 WO published international patents, all composition of matter, more than 75 publications, 150 presentations and 60 invited lectures. In her new role in the Heersink School of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, she will continue many of her research programs as well as develop new relationships and seek opportunities to further scientific endeavors.
Dr. Augelli-Szafran serves as PI/MPI on several NIH-funded grants as well as Foundation funding in areas such as NeuroHIV, Arsenicals/Inflammation, various Cancers, Antivirals and Cystic Fibrosis. Several of these programs have advanced to animal efficacy studies, of which two candidates are now in Phase 1 clinical trials for cancer and diabetes and an IND package is being prepared for a first-in-class therapeutic small molecule for the treatment of Chikungunya virus. Over the past twelve years, she has had at least $70 million in total support serving as PI, MPI and Co-I.
Dr. Augelli-Szafran has been recognized for her mentoring skills, has been invited worldwide to present her research, has been a longstanding member on NIH review panels, and has received numerous awards that exemplify her broad range of scientific skills, including being elected recently as a Fellow into the National Academy of Inventors.
Dr. Augelli-Szafran received her B.A. in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from New York University.
W29.4- Small molecules as Aminoglycoside Enhancers to promote readthrough for the treatment of CF
Friday, October 24, 2025
10:15 AM - 12:15 PM PDT