Kathleen Mullinix

Kathleen Mullinix relishes the role of pioneer. Mullinix and her colleagues at Synaptic Pharmaceutical Corp. combine cutting-edge technologies in molecular biology, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacology to design drugs that act on specific targets. Collaborations with major pharmaceutical firms will help bring their discoveries from the bench to the bedside in as little as eight years.

A former vice provost at Columbia University, Mullinix first gave rein to her entrepreneurial spirit in establishing Columia's technology transfer program. With foresight, she recognizes the possibilities for channeling technology to meet social needs and the demands of the marketplace.

Mullinex finds that THE SCIENTIST offers a refreshing perspective. She says: "I like THE SCIENTIST's profiles of people and the coverage of issues and opportunities for science to be applied to practical goals. For people who want to know what's going on, THE SCIENTIST is very important."