Dr. Wellins and Natural Products
Research Assessment #3
Date: December 1st, 2020
Interviewee: Eric Welin, an Assistant Professor at The University of Texas at Dallas CPRIT
Scholar in Cancer Research.
Assessment:
On December first, I interviewed Eric Welin, an Assistant Professor at The University of Texas at Dallas CPRIT Scholar in Cancer Research. Doctor Wellins attended Ohio State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor in Chemistry. To pursue his graduate studies, he moved east, working with Prof. David MacMillan at Princeton University, where he studied new conceptual developments in the field of Photoredox Catalysis. His research pursuits lie in organic synthesis, mainly as the field develops and unites the physical and biological sciences. For his Ph.D. Wellins collaborated with Prof. Jim McCusker's group at Michigan State University to study the photophysical processes that enabled a transformation he had developed in the MacMillan group. For his post Doctorate, Dr. Wellins collaborated with Prof. Dennis Slamon's group at UCLA studying the biological evaluation of jorumycin and its derivatives.
When asked about the most developing area of his research, Dr. Wellins credited few organic chemistries thinking of ways to test physical force to develop chemical reactions-trying to create medicine for disease with worse treatment using molecules that come from nature. To rare in nature. Through this research in Natural products (which Doctor Wellin defines as small organic molecules that come from nature), he has seen how these Natural products have deeply impacted human health and medicine and will do so for generations. However, one of the difficulties he faces in his research is that most of these molecules remain so rare that their study and application have challenged chemists to prepare them in the lab - a task called total synthesis. In the Welin Lab, research in this area focuses on developing new techniques and strategies to prepare biologically active natural products, with a particular emphasis on molecules with anti-cancer properties.
When asked about the personality type that best fits into his field of organic chemistry. Doctor Wellins addresses how someone who can recognize problems and having the ability to solve such issues with little instruction independently. He referred to someone who could use their problem-solving skills to create solutions without having to be codependent on another person.
When asked about an important lesson that someone my age could benefit from, Dr. Wellin responded that he believed trying to understand why people are thinking the way they are and why they are doing it in that particular way is a life lesson. He further clarified that it is essential to know how to think about something and derive a solution and how others process in deriving that solution. He further offered the advice that one should maintain good relationships with others, especially trying with teachers, to obtain good letters of recommendation. He emphasized being able to collaborate and learn from others as an essential trait needed in his field of study.