Winner: 2025 Centenary Prize for 九州影院 and Communication
Professor Seth Cohen
University of California San Diego
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2025 Centenary Prize for 九州影院 and Communication: awarded for accomplishments in the translational development of metalloenzyme inhibitors and the functionalisation of metal–organic frameworks, and for excellence in communication.
Metal ions play an important role in our world 鈥� from enabling biology to forming new materials. Understanding and manipulating the role of metal ions in these various settings is key to making advancements in medicine, clean energy and many other important technological areas.
Professor Cohen鈥檚 laboratory uses fundamental characteristics of the chemistry of metal ions to realise advancements in two distinct areas. In one project, Professor Cohen鈥檚 laboratory seeks to discover new therapeutics that target metal-dependent processes that contribute to disease progression. In a second project, his laboratory develops new metal-based materials for applications in catalysis, batteries and other important technologies.
Biography
Professor Seth Cohen was raised in the San Fernando Valley outside of Los Angeles, California. He was educated at Stanford University, UC Berkeley and MIT. In 2001, he began his faculty position at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where he is a distinguished professor and holds the Chancellor鈥檚 Distinguished Professorship in 九州影院 and Biochemistry.
His research interests fall broadly into the categories of medicinal bioinorganic chemistry and inorganic materials chemistry. In bioinorganic chemistry, his research group has combined concepts in medicinal and bioinorganic chemistry to develop novel strategies for inhibiting therapeutically relevant metalloenzymes. In materials chemistry, his laboratory has focused on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and has made significant contributions to the postsynthetic modification (PSM) of MOFs and MOF-polymer composite materials.
In addition to his academic pursuits at UCSD, Professor Cohen has twice served in the federal government: first at the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and later at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). At DARPA, he initiated and led a diverse portfolio of projects in areas ranging from atmospheric water capture to target protein degradation and mechanically interlocked materials. On a personal note, he has been very fortunate to have a life surrounded by loving family and friends, including his parents Erwin and Patricia, his sister Lindsey, his wife Danielle and his daughter Sabrina. In his spare time, Professor Cohen enjoys cycling, movies and has a passion for vintage and exotic automobiles.
Even after more than two decades, I get genuinely excited when a mentee shows me a new result and we have a small 鈥榚ureka鈥� moment.
Professor Seth Cohen
Q&A with Professor Seth Cohen
How did you first become interested in chemistry?
I was interested in science from a young age, with strong encouragement from my father. As far back as I can remember, I had a fascination with biology and astronomy, fuelled by the programming in US public television. I didn鈥檛 really become interested specifically in chemistry until college, when: a) I performed well in some of my early chemistry classes, and b) my best friend in college (Professor Stephen Miller, University of Florida) strongly encouraged me to follow him into the chemistry major. I think Steve may have played a bigger role in directing me towards chemistry than anyone else.
Tell us about somebody who has inspired or mentored you in your career.
I certainly have been inspired by many people in chemistry 鈥� a list too long to delineate. I have also greatly benefited from a long list of 鈥榦fficial鈥� and 鈥榰nofficial鈥� mentors. My official mentors include my undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral advisors, namely Professor Robert Waymouth (Stanford University), Professor Kenneth Raymond (UC Berkeley), and Professor Stephen Lippard (MIT).
The really long list is all the unofficial mentors that have been kind enough to guide and advise me throughout my career, including many of my colleagues at UC San Diego, but also Professor Alison Butler (UC Santa Barbara), Professor Vincent Pecoraro (Michigan University), Professor Andrew Borovik (UC Irvine), Professor Jonathan Sessler (UT Austin), Professor Peter Dorhout (Iowa State University), and many, many others.
What motivates you?
Creative discovery and sharing successes with trainees motivates me. I truly love devising new molecules or materials, testing hypotheses and learning about a successful experimental outcome from a student or postdoctoral trainee. Even after more than two decades, I get genuinely excited when a mentee shows me a new result and we have a small 鈥榚ureka鈥� moment.
What has been a highlight for you (either personally or in your career)?
I have been fortunate to have many personal and professional highlights. Professionally, our work on metalloenzyme inhibitors, metal-binding pharmacophores (MBPs), the postsynthetic modification (PSM) of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and our work on MOF-polymer composites have all been areas that I view as high points in our research programme.
Having some of our work on metalloenzyme inhibitors be translated to biotechnology startup companies has also been a real high point for my career. However, when a junior researcher approaches me at a conference or meeting and tells me how much they like our work, or a specific paper our group published 鈥� that is truly a great highlight and fills me with incredible satisfaction.
Why do you think collaboration and teamwork are important in science?
It is essential because no one has all the good ideas, and no one can know everything or have the complete skillset to answer the most challenging questions in modern science. The cutting edge in science, engineering and medicine is so complex, I believe that only teams and collaboration will answer the 鈥榖ig questions鈥� and the toughest challenges.
Beyond its importance, scientists should want to collaborate. It is one of the most enjoyable activities of our discipline 鈥� to share ideas, work together, create connections, and build lifelong relationships and friendships. The scientific enterprise is very effective at transcending borders and cultures, and is a wonderful way to bring curious people together in positive ways.
How can scientists try to improve the environmental sustainability of research? Can you give us any examples from your own experience or context?
As chair of the department of chemistry and biochemistry at UC San Diego, I spearheaded an effort, in collaboration with our campus Environmental, Health, and Safety (EH&S) office to reduce the use of water condensers in our research laboratories. This was a very successful partnership that led to many researchers retiring the use of old-fashioned water condensers for air-cooled condensers. The move to air-cooled condensers significantly reduced the number of water leakage incidents/damage in our department, and the dramatic reduction in wasteful water usage also led to an environmental sustainability award from the university and the city.
What is your favourite element?
I don鈥檛 think I have a favourite, but being an inorganic chemist at heart, I am probably a bit partial to the transition metals and lanthanides.