Dana Ferraris, Ph.D.

A drug discovery scientist and medicinal chemist who is unconventional, approachable, and fun.

Approachable | Unconventional | Fun: Students have the opportunity to learn from a drug discovery scientist and medicinal chemist when setting foot in Dana Ferraris’ classroom. He spent 15 years in the pharmaceutical industry before beginning his teaching career. One of his favorite roles is mentoring undergraduate students while completing student-faculty research. He even worked with students on research to discover drugs to fight COVID-19. He teaches Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, and Modern Drug Discovery.
Why is the Student-Faculty Collaborative Summer Research Program important, especially in the field you teach?: I include all types of science majors in research, whether they are studying pre-med, Biology, or Chemistry because I think it’s important for all students to understand the process of drug discovery which encompasses cost, timeline, and more. It plays such a huge role in modern medicine. In five and a half years, I have mentored 30 students with two to three becoming synthetic chemists. I really hammer home the development of soft skills necessary to compete in the global economy. Particularly, I demand that each of my students be able to work in a group setting, work with collaborators, and communicate to a broader audience. Doing cutting-edge, relevant research is possible at a smaller school like McDaniel.
When students take courses in Chemistry, what do you hope they take away from the experience?: I hope students learn how to make a molecule, and why it’s important to do so. Through my courses, I also hope they take away the basics of drug discovery and medicinal chemistry and its importance especially when facing a global pandemic.
What did it feel like when the FDA approved cedazuridine, the cancer drug you invented in 2009 when working in the biotech industry as a medicinal chemist?: It’s hard to describe really. I felt lucky, elated, ecstatic, proud of my team, and thankful – all mixed into one emotion. I cried a lot. When you start out on a path as a medicinal chemist, your career goal is to just contribute to one new drug. By doing so, you can potentially help thousands of patients. It’s a pretty special feeling. Many medicinal chemists go through their whole careers without having accomplished this.

Business

He, along with his wife, own and operate a local café and he describes himself as “an above average barista and total coffee snob.”

Hobbies

A woodworking hobbyist, he enjoys making birdhouses and is currently working on a chess set.

Sports

He is a huge bocce ball fan.

Dana Ferraris, Ph.D.

About Prof. Ferraris

Outside of the Classroom