Samuel Drew
About Samuel Drew
Samuel Drew is a Senior Scientist at Arcus Biosciences, recognized for his contributions to organic chemistry, including winning the 2016 Mander Prize for his PhD thesis. He specializes in the synthesis of natural products and has authored multiple publications and patents in his field.
Work at Arcus Biosciences
Samuel Drew has been employed at Arcus Biosciences since 2020, currently holding the position of Senior Scientist. In this role, he has contributed significantly to the discovery and synthesis of novel compounds, including AB521, a HIF-2α inhibitor. Prior to his current position, he worked as a Scientist at Arcus Biosciences from 2018 to 2020. His expertise includes large-scale synthesis of key intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), where he has successfully prepared GMP registered small molecules on a 200+ gram scale.
Education and Expertise
Samuel Drew earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Organic Chemistry from The Australian National University, where he studied from 2012 to 2015. He also holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree with honors from the same institution, completed in 2011. Prior to that, he obtained a Bachelor’s degree majoring in Chemistry from the University of Canterbury, studying from 2008 to 2010. His academic background supports his expertise in target-oriented synthesis of natural products and highly unstable molecules.
Background
Before joining Arcus Biosciences, Samuel Drew worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at UC Irvine in the Department of Chemistry from 2016 to 2017. His professional journey includes a focus on organic chemistry, where he has developed skills in the synthesis of complex molecules. His educational path laid the foundation for his career in chemistry, leading to significant contributions in both academic and industry settings.
Achievements
Samuel Drew received the 2016 Mander Prize for the best PhD thesis in organic chemistry in Australia, recognizing his outstanding research contributions. He was also a finalist for the 2016 Reaxys PhD Prize, which is an international acknowledgment of excellence in the field. In addition to these accolades, he has authored seven publications and holds three published patents in chemistry, demonstrating his active engagement in research and innovation.