Research Chemist Paul J. Reider Headlines 56th Annual Robbins Lecture Series: “Making Drugs for People, Not Profits”

Claremont, CA – Paul J. Reider, a renowned research chemist in the pharmaceutical industry, will present the 2018 Pomona College Robbins Lecture Series: “Chemistry in Service to Society: Making Drugs for People, Not Profits,” Jan. 29 – Feb. 1. The series begins with a public and free lecture at 8 p.m on on Jan. 29 at Seaver North Auditorium (645 N. College Ave., Claremont).

As a member of the pharmaceutical industry for 28 years, Reider contributed to the discovery, identification, development or registration of 14 approved drugs, including the landmark antiretroviral Crixivan, still used globally to make AIDS treatment more manageable. Reider was also involved in the development of other drugs, including those used for diabetes, hypertension, arthritis and migraines.

Since 2008, Reider has been a chemistry professor at Princeton University, where his research focuses on new drugs for malaria, tuberculosis and other neglected diseases. He previously was the worldwide head of chemistry research and discovery at Amgen, where he built and led a team of almost 600 members in the U.S. and Germany.

The 2018 Robbins Lecture Series, presented by the Pomona College Chemistry Department, was established by Fred Robbins to bring to Pomona College distinguished chemists to discuss their current research. Robbins was a metallurgical engineer who had a long and successful career as president of a major specialty steel company. Thanks to his generosity and interest in creative research, the lectureship was founded in 1962.

This year’s Robbins Lecture Series schedule follows:

• 8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 29 – Chemistry in Service to Society: Making Drugs for People, Not Profits
• 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30 – Synthesis of Complex Molecules in the Real World
• 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 31 – Adventures of a Scientist in the Golden Age of Drug Discovery
• 4:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 1 – Neglected Diseases and the Future of Drug Discovery

All lectures are free, open to the public and will take place at Seaver North Auditorium, 645 N. College Ave., Claremont, California. For more information, visit chemistry.pomona.edu, or call (909) 621-8448.