Presenting Author
UCSF
Ben Guthrie (he/him) is a biochemist and microbiologist who is interested in the interaction between ligands and proteins and how that interaction modulates physiological response in the context of the human microbiome. His previous research has uncovered new drug leads against the causative agent of malaria and elucidated the mechanism of action of an FDA-approved drug for hypertension. He is now studying the ways in which the microbiome affects the pharmacology of drugs and chemotherapeutics on the biochemical level to unravel the seemingly random patient outcomes that are observed. A passionate mentor and teacher, he has taught lab and lecture courses at the university level as well as designed curricula to reach populations of students who underrepresented in the life sciences. His awards include a Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship, a Washington Research Foundation Fellowship, and an Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor award from UC Berkeley.