After receiving numerous awards, one Ohio University professor finally got the chance to say thank you.
Goll-Ohio Eminent Scholar and Professor of Molecular Biology at the Edison Biotechnology Institute John Kopchick, and OU’s 52nd Distinguished Professor, presented his lecture Monday night, giving credit to everyone who helped in the process of creating a life-saving drug.
Kopchick delivered his lecture on the process of discovering and patenting the drug, but he did so by thanking the scientists, project developers and family with a slideshow of candid photos.
To explain what he does, Kopchick went through the process of discovering, patenting and developing Somavert, a drug that repairs the effects of acromegaly, a disease that causes enlarged bones and tissue.
As a distinguished professor, he received the opportunity to recognize and award a student, Nick Lozier, a senior majoring in biological sciences working at EBI, by paying for a semester of Lozier’s tuition.
Alyssa Jensen, a junior double majoring in cellular molecular biology and creative writing who also works at EBI, said she found the lecture engaging and informative into the research process.
“I learned a lot about the journey and all the steps it took,” she said.
Kopchick said he tried to present the information in a way that was simple to understand for the audience that may not have a background in biotechnology.
“It probably took a little more time than I thought to not talk the hardcore science, to bring it down to vernacular,” Kopchick said.
Kopchick has received numerous awards, such as the British Society for Endocrinology’s Transatlantic Medal, the Ohio Patent Impact Award, in addition to recently being named a charter fellow for the National Academy of Inventors and having numerous articles published in Molecular Endocrinology, including the cover story in the most recent addition.
Somavert accrues $80 million a year for OU through royalty fees, making OU the fourth ranked university in royalty income from research.
As a molecular biology professor, Kopchick advised hundreds of doctoral candidates, graduates and undergraduates in the fields of growth and aging on a molecular level. OU President Roderick McDavis attributed Kopchick’s achievements to his interactions with students.
“It’s about our students, and that’s what our distinguished professors lead the way in doing is influencing the minds of our students,” McDavis said.
dk123111@ohiou.edu
