Alison Axtman’s research lies at the interface of chemistry and biology, with a focus on using small molecules to explore and impact disease-propagating biological pathways. (Photo from UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy)
The first of its kind at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, the Maureen Daly Blouin Distinguished Scholar in Open Science Drug Discovery is dedicated to bolstering the research endeavors of an early-career faculty member whose academic pursuits focus on open science drug discovery.
Alison Axtman, assistant professor in the division of chemical biology and medicinal chemistry and part of the Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC-UNC), was selected as the inaugural fellow to receive this appointment. She has been at the School for almost 10 years and moved to a tenure track position in 2024.
“This recognition is going to help my lab flourish in many different ways and gives us the flexibility to pursue the science we are most interested in,” said Axtman. “I’m so thankful for this honor — it’s validation that the work I’m doing at Carolina is recognized at a high level.”
The SGC-UNC is a not-for-profit, public-private partnership that performs basic science of relevance to drug discovery. All material and intellectual output of SGC-UNC is placed in the public domain for use without restriction — also known as open science.
“We believe that we can accelerate drug discovery if we work together as a community, instead of behind closed doors,” she said. “The uniting theme of our research is that we see power in small molecules and the use of chemistry to understand biology. Our skills can be applied broadly to understand diseases where new therapies are needed.”
Axtman’s research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases. Her team is working on validating new targets for Alzheimer’s disease and researching genetic causes as well as more broadly implicated aberrant proteins that contribute to Lou Gehrig’s disease (also known as ALS).
This distinguished fellowship was made possible with an endowment by the SGC-UNC as well as many alumni and friends who gave in honor of Former Dean Robert (Bob) and Maureen Blouin.
“It was such an honor when this opportunity came up, and I believe this will just add to the Blouin legacy at the School,” said Maureen. “I clearly remember Bob having to write grants as a young investigator — I know how important it is to give a young investigator a foot up.”
Axtman explained that this appointment will allow her lab to grow and establish themselves as a robust research lab at the University and globally that will leave a positive legacy.
By Mariava Phillips, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
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