MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

he Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the George Washington University is one of four basic science departments at the medical school, located on the main campus, just 7 blocks from the White House and in the heart of our nation’s capital. Founded in 1825, The George Washington University School of Medicine is the eleventh oldest medical school in the country, and has achieved a reputation of excellence since its inception. Over the course of almost ninety years, the vitality and growth of the department has played a pivotal role in the training of medical and basic science undergraduates and graduates, many of whom have pursued distinguished careers in the medical and biological sciences. In addition to the educational mission, the department has a long history of distinguished faculty who have contributed to the common good of mankind by shaping medicine and science through breakthrough work and leadership.

The mission of the department is to deliver the highest quality of professional education and training in the areas of biochemistry and molecular biology to students enrolled in undergraduate, medical, master, and graduate programs of the George Washington University and its Medical Center. The second core mission is to conduct the highest quality of cutting-edge research, continue the legacy of scientific excellence in the department, and maintain the long tradition of mentoring and training the next generation of leaders in biochemistry and molecular biology. To achieve these goals, our research programs are using state-of-art tools in biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, cell biology, genomic, and bioinformatics to discover and understand the fundamental biochemical and molecular mechanisms that underlie biologic and disease processes. Unlocking the mysteries of physiologic or pathologic processes at a molecular level is the common thread connecting all research programs in the department.

As you navigate these pages, you will find highlights and brief summaries of our educational and research programs, as well as examples of significant research discoveries by our faculty. Moving forward our ongoing focus remains to further strengthen molecular and fundamental investigations that will pave the way for basic and translational research at the university, develop better educational tools for our students, fellows, and trainees, and to recruit the most talented faculty, researchers and students.

Rakesh Kumar, Ph.D.
Professor and Chairman
Catharine Birch & William McCormick Chair.