Robert Ziegler

Associate Principal Scientist at AstraZeneca

Greater Boston

About

Medicinal chemist in oncology drug discovery, including synthesis and design of molecules (reversible inhibitors, degraders, and covalent inhibitors) on projects spanning five different target classes. Experienced in hit to lead, lead generation, and lead optimization utilizing structure-based drug design and data analysis/visualization tools. Project chemistry leader for a late lead optimization program. Previous academic experience in synthetic organic chemistry involving methodology and total synthesis during Ph.D. and flow chemistry synthesis of anti-HIV pharmaceuticals during postdoctoral studies.

Experience

  • AstraZeneca (Greater Boston · On-site)
    • Associate Principal Scientist
      Jul 2023 - Present · 3 yrs

      Lead chemist

    • Senior Scientist
      Jan 2018 - Jun 2023 · 5 yrs 6 mos

      • Medicinal Chemist with experience working on a variety of oncology programs and targets, including: HPK1 inhibitor, SMARCA2 bifunctional degrader (PROTAC), TEAD central pocket inhibitors, methyltransferase, and a phosphatase • Synthesis and design of selective and highly active molecules using structure-based drug design to deliver in vivo probe compounds to achieve lead optimization milestone • Involved in new target selection process by performing chemistry tractability assessments • Management of target compounds and intermediates synthesized at external CRO partners • Project chemistry leader for a hit to lead project beginning with HTS and DEL hit triage stage

  • Postdoctoral Associate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
    Jan 2016 - Jan 2018 · 2 yrs 1 mo

    • Postdoctoral associate in the laboratory of Professor Tim Jamison • Research focused on reducing the cost of anti-HIV active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) through the use of continuous flow chemistry to streamline and increase throughput • Completed the flow synthesis of dolutegravir in collaboration with the Roper group at VCU

  • Doctoral Student at Boston University
    Sep 2010 - Dec 2015 · 5 yrs 4 mos

    • Ph.D. student in the laboratory of Professor John Porco • Research focused on total synthesis of vinylallene antitumor natural products from Pestalotiopsis fici and enantioselective methodology development to synthesize new pyrone-substituted nitrogen heterocycles that resulted in a synthesis of pleiomaltinine • Developed a highly enantioselective addition of indoles to pyrones in collaboration with the Jacobsen group at Harvard

  • Neuroscience Chemistry Intern at Pfizer
    May 2010 - Aug 2010 · 4 mos

    • Continued work from the previous summer (June-August 2009)

  • Undergraduate Researcher at William & Mary
    Sep 2009 - May 2010 · 9 mos

    • Senior Thesis in Chemistry • Continued research started in summer 2008 (June-August)