Thomas Kodadek, PhD

Professor Tom Kodadek received a B.S. in Chemistry from the University Miami (1981), a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Stanford University (1985) and conducted post-doctoral studies at UCSF (1985-1987) in DNA replication and recombination enzymology. He began his independent research and teaching career at the University of Texas at Austin and rose through ranks quickly to the title of Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry. In 1998 he moved to the UT Southwestern Medical Center where he was a Professor of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Internal Medicine as well as the Director of the Center for Translational Research.

In 2009 he moved to the Scripps Florida Research Institute where he was Vice-Chair of Chemistry and Chair of Cancer Biology. Prof. Kodadek’s research focused on the development of novel chemical methods for use in biological and medical research. He has authored more than 260 scientific papers and has won many awards, including receiving the NIH Pioneer Award and three Transformative Research Awards. He has raised more than $30M in grant funding over the course of his career. He has founded three biotechnology companies. Prof. Kodadek lives in Jupiter, FL with his wife Dr. Ofelia Utset and is a graduate of Leadership Palm Beach County and Leadership Florida. Prof. Kodadek has served on the Loggerhead Marinelife Center Board of Directors since 2016.