Today ICIQ Women in Science present us Dr. Karen de la Vega, a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) fellow at the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), working in Prof.Suero’s Group.
Championing Women in STEM
At ICIQ, the importance of women in STEM is recognized and celebrated every day. Dr. Karen de la Vega, as a leading female scientist, represents this commitment to gender equality in the scientific community. Her achievements not only contribute to the field of chemical research but also serve as an inspiration for aspiring female scientists and future MSCA fellows.
For those interested in learning more about Dr. Karen’s work and her impact on the scientific community, check out this insightful video from ICIQ’s Women in Science series. It’s a great way to see her passion and dedication firsthand.
Pioneering Drug Design
In the video she discusses her research on late-stage functionalization in molecular synthesis. She explains how this strategy allows for the modification of complex molecules, such as antibiotics like tetracycline, at the final stages of their construction to create new analogs. This approach saves time and resources by enabling selective alterations to existing structures, thereby opening new chemical spaces previously inaccessible.
Dr. de la Vega highlights the challenge in drug discovery of introducing a chiral carbon atom—one bonded to four different substituents—which is crucial for the biological activity of many drugs. She is developing a methodology using visible light photoredox catalysis to introduce new carbon fragments into aromatic compounds, creating new assembly points for constructing chiral centers. This innovation has the potential to streamline drug discovery programs by accelerating the development of new medications, ultimately improving access to life-saving treatments for society.