B.S., Boston College, 1967; Ph.D., Yale University, 1972; D.Sc.h.c., Boston College. Assistant Professor, Caltech, 1973-79; Associate Professor, 1979-82; Professor, 1982-88; Bren Professor, 1988-2019; Bren Professor, Emeritus, 2020-; Chair, Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, 1994-99; Vice President for Development and Institute Relations, 2011-12.
Professor Dervan's research program addresses a wide range of fundamental problems at the interface of organic chemistry and biology. Elucidating the chemical principles for the molecular recognition of DNA by small molecules and their use in biology, in particular gene modulation and DNA detection, are unifying themes.
Ch 10 abc. Frontiers in Chemistry.1 unit (1-0-0) first, second terms; 6 units (1-4-1) third term; , 2019-20.Prerequisites: Open for credit to freshmen and sophomores. Ch 10 c prerequisites are Ch 10 ab, Ch 3 a or Ch 3 x, and either Ch 1 ab, Ch 41 ab, or Ch 21 ab, and instructor's permission.
Ch 10 ab is a weekly seminar by a member of the chemistry department on a topic of current research; the topic will be presented at an informal, introductory level. Ch 10 c is a research-oriented laboratory course, which will be supervised by a chemistry faculty member. Weekly class meetings will provide a forum for participants to discuss their research projects. Graded pass/fail.
Instructors: Dervan, Hoelz
