Ismagilov named 2002 Searle Scholar

Rustem Ismagilov, Assistant Professor in Chemistry, is one of 15 scientists named as a 2002 Searle Scholar. The honor carries $240,000 in support for Ismagilov’s research over the next three years.

This year, 170 applications were considered from recently appointed assistant professors nominated by 93 universities and research institutions.

A scientific advisory board of 11 scientists, distinguished for their research and leadership in fields of interest to the Searle Scholars Program, made recommendations for the final selection of scholars.

In its selection process, the board looks for individuals who have already demonstrated innovative research with the potential for making significant contributions to biological research over an extended period of time.

Ismagilov studies the chemical complexity of biological systems that are largely governed by the interactions between multiple chemical reactions.

One long-term goal of his research is to provide experimental tools for understanding the biochemical complexity that is emerging from genomics and proteomics—the effort to map the human genome and its proteins.

Another goal is to design intelligent microsystems that use multiple interacting organic and biochemical reactions to detect, transmit, amplify and analyze chemical signals.

The funds that support the Searle Scholars Program come from trusts established under the wills of John G. and Frances C. Searle. John Searle was president of G.D. Searle & Co., a research-based pharmaceutical company in Skokie.

The Searles expressed the wish that some of the proceeds of their estates be used for the support of research in medicine, chemistry and biological science.