Rick Silverman . Hande Ozdinler _ e.034

Lab Rats to Unicorns

We had the great privilege of being joined by two exceptional guests from Northwestern University for this live episode! And to make it even better, Kevin O’Connor joined the conversation as a co-host! First, let us introduce Dr. Richard B. Silverman, an esteemed medicinal chemist and dedicated educator, who holds the title of Patrick G. Ryan/Aon Professor of Chemistry. Dr. Silverman's research focuses on the design and development of pharmaceuticals, and he is notably the creator of the blockbuster drug pregabalin, sold under the brand name Lyrica. He is also the founder of Akava Therapeutics, Inc. –– a company committed to bringing innovative treatments to patients.

Our second guest is the trailblazing neuroscientist, Dr. Hande Ozdinler, an Associate Professor of Neurology at Northwestern University. Dr. Ozdinler is dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of neurodegenerative diseases, with her research centered on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying motor neuron diseases such as ALS. She is also a passionate advocate for raising awareness and funds for ALS research.

In this episode, we're thrilled to explore the inspiring journeys, tireless efforts, and profound impact of both Dr. Silverman and Dr. Ozdinler in their respective fields. We will be particularly looking at Akava Therapeutics, diving into Dr. Silverman’s inspiration behind it, and learning what it takes for an idea to change lives.