Shiva Malek Senior Scientist: Biochemical Pharmacology Profile | Education/Background | Top Scientific Papers | Awards & Honors

"I joined Genentech in July of 2006 as a Scientist in the Biochemical Pharmacology Department. I was born in Iran and moved to the United States when I was 7 years old. Our 'summer vacation' to Logan, Utah in 1978 resulted in a permanent move to the United States. We moved to California in the early 80's and I was lucky enough to take advantage of the University of California system from undergraduate through my Ph.D. I came to Genentech to help build the growing small molecule drug discovery group, having spent a number of years at smaller biotechnology companies including Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Exelixis. I am thrilled to be a part of this dynamic department and hope to contribute to Genentech's success in the small molecule arena."

Current Projects "My group is responsible for developing and validating enzyme and cellular assays in order to support small molecule drug discovery projects. We collaborate closely with scientists from the Pathway Biology groups in order to develop robust assays which are predictive of target biology. We also work closely with other members in the Biochemical Pharmacology, Early Leads, Assay Automation and Technology, and Medicinal Chemistry groups to support projects from high-throughput screening, lead validation, and lead optimization. Our mission is to do high-quality science, maintain a strong project focus, and work collaboratively with other departments at Genentech in order to accelerate small molecule programs into the clinic. I also serve as the project team leader for one of the early stage research oncology programs. In this capacity, I lead a multi-disciplinary team of scientists across various departments and oversee an external collaboration in order to identify novel development candidates. "

Inspiration/Vision "I am inspired by cancer survivors and their ability to face the unknown with courage, strength, and a will to live. The pictures and stories of patients whose lives we have positively impacted is a source of motivation for me.

My vision is to combine innovative, high-quality science with automation and cutting edge technologies in order to rapidly accelerate small molecule programs into the clinic. I enjoy working in multi-disciplinary teams and am eager to continue building bridges across departments as programs mature and advance into development. I am excited to be a part of the next wave of Genentech small molecule medicines that will make a positive impact on patients' lives!"