Member of Yale faculty since 2008.
Contact Info
Michelle Ferrara
michelle.ferrara@yale.edu
Chemistry Research Building
Room 210
Research
Emergence is the phenomenon by which novel properties arise from interactions of simpler fragments which lack that property at a given level of hierarchical complexity. In chemical systems such as polyfunctional natural products, emergent properties are difficult if not impossible to predict, even when very detailed information about the interacting fragments is available. Efforts to analyze natural products without considering their emergent phenomena typically fail as an approach to identifying the most interesting functional features of these molecules. Therefore, our laboratory is working to formalize a study of emergence in bioactive natural products, with the ultimate goal of connecting the modular, evolved chemical reactivity within a natural product with cellular phenotype. Studies of this nature enrich our understanding of structure, bonding and reactivity in complex settings, motivate advances in synthetic strategy and methodology, and provide a blueprint for the creation of novel molecules with desired, complex properties, with implications for human health.
Education
B.S. Temple University, 2002
Ph.D. Harvard University, 2006
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Illinois, 2006-2008
Honors
- Petroleum Research Fund Undergraduate Research Fellowship, 2001-2002
- The F. Albert Cotton and Al Tulinsky Prize, 2002
- National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, 2003
- Harvard University Certificate of Distinction in Teaching, 2003
- National Institutes of Health Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2006
- Lilly New Faculty Award, 2008
- Searle Scholar Award, 2010
- American Cancer Society Research Scholar Award, 2010
- Synthesis/Synlett Journal Award, 2011
- Packard Fellowship in Science and Engineering, 2011
- NSF CAREER Award, 2012
- Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship, 2012
- Cottrell Scholar Award of the Research Corporation for Scientific Advancement, 2012
- Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award, 2012
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Creative Synthetic Organic Chemistry Award, 2012
- Amgen Young Investigator Award, 2013
- Eli Lilly Grantee Award, 2013
- Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award, 2014
- Natural Products Reports Emerging Investigator Lectureship, 2015
- Novartis Chemistry Lectureship, 2016
- Defense Science Study Group, Sponsored by the Institute for Defense Analyses, 2018-2019
- Elias J. Corey Award for Outstanding Original Contribution in Organic Synthesis by a Young Investigator, 2018
- Tetrahedron Young Investigator Award (Organic Synthesis), 2018
- Elias J. Corey Award for Outstanding Original Contribution in Organic Synthesis by a Young Investigator, 2018
- Thieme–IUPAC Award, 2018
- E. Bright Wilson Prize, Harvard University, 2020*
- Distinguished Visiting Professor, Kyoto University, 2020*
- 54th Lectureship of the International Organic Chemistry Foundation, 2020*
- Creativity Extension Award, National Science Foundation (CHE), 2022
- Yale Faculty Innovation Award, 2022
- A.V. Rama Rao Award in Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, the Council of the Chemical Research Society of India, 2023
- Blavatnik Accelerator Award, Yale University, 2024
- American Chemical Society Award for Creative Work in Synthetic Organic Chemistry, 2024
- R. C. Fuson Visiting Professor, The University of Illinois, Urbana–Champaign, 2024
- Class of ’61 Cancer Research Award, Yale Cancer Center, 2024
- Blavatnik Innovation Award, Yale University, 2025
*Postponed due to COVID-19
Selected Publications
Professor Herzon and Lab in the News
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Three Chemistry students awarded National Science Foundation fellowships
Chemistry students Theodore Berger, Samuel Charney, and Erin Lulu Li have been selected for the NSF’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
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Podcast episode: Recent Advances in Glioblastoma Research
Prof. Seth Herzon and Dr. Ranjit Bindra discuss brain tumors, including glioblastoma, and share research progress on the Yale Cancer Answers podcast.
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Seth Herzon and David Spiegel receive project support from Blavatnik Fund for Innovation
They will receive funding to support projects for developing therapeutics for cancer and other diseases.
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For Families Battling Brain Cancer, New Treatment Brings Hope
Modifi Biosciences, a Yale startup, develops a novel compound for glioblastoma through interdisciplinary research, and a little girl’s brave battle.
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Summer of science: An undergraduate’s contribution to understanding nocardiosis
Sam Charney conducted independent research with a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship from the ACS’s Division of Organic Chemistry.
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Soaking up the anti-cancer properties of a South Korean sea sponge
Yale researchers have completed a challenging synthesis of a molecule that may have potent anti-cancer effects.
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Yale advances in treating primary brain cancers benefit patients and science
Discovered in Yale research labs and developed into cutting-edge cancer treatments. Read about the collaboration with Prof. Seth Herzon’s lab.
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Seth Herzon receives Yale Cancer Center Class of ‘61 Cancer Research Award
The award recognizes significant accomplishments in cancer research and the potential for contributions to our understanding of causes and cures.
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Yale spin-off company Modifi Bio acquired by Merck in multimillion dollar deal
Modifi Bio’s founders discuss the journey from developing a cancer treatment drug to being acquired by Big Pharma.
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Yale’s Seth Herzon wins national chemistry honor
Herzon is the winner of the American Chemical Society Award for Creative Work in Synthetic Organic Chemistry.
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Jarvis Hill awarded esteemed fellowship in biomedical research to treat brain cancer
Jarvis Hill, Ph.D., from the Herzon Lab, is among a select group of postdoctoral fellows chosen as a 2024 Jane Coffin Childs Fellow…
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This well-timed ‘chameleon’ sneaks up on drug-resistant brain cancers
Yale scientists say KL-50, their lead “chameleon” compound, effectively targets tumors without harming healthy surrounding tissue.
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Yale chemists synthesize unique anticancer molecules using novel approach
Yale researchers have developed a novel approach to synthesize a highly complex group of molecules found in marine invertebrates.
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By exploiting the DNA repair system, Yale scientists want to crack chemotherapy resistant brain cancer
Professor Seth Herzon’s research on glioblastoma cells…
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NSF awards prestigious fellowships to six Chemistry students
The Yale Chemistry National Science Foundation Fellows are Noah Bartfield, Daniel Chabeda, Nia Harmon, Jenna Molas, Tyler Myers, and Natalie Williams.
