Gaithersburg, MD (July 14, 2015) – MedImmune, the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca, announced today that Christopher Rhodes, Ph.D., has joined the company as Vice President, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease (CVMD) Research. Dr. Rhodes will be responsible for developing and growing MedImmune's research base in CVMD in both the US and UK, and contributing to the product development goals and vision across the CVMD therapeutic area.
Dr. Rhodes joins MedImmune from the University of Chicago, where he was Research Director at the Kovler Diabetes Center, the Kovler Family Professor of Endocrinology, and Chair of the Committee on Molecular Metabolism & Nutrition and Biomedical Sciences Cluster of the Biological Sciences Division. In that role, he led a large team of researchers focused on molecular mechanisms that control key functions in the pathogenesis of diabetes and obesity. Dr. Rhodes was also the leading scientist representing the university as a member of the Brehm Coalition, a multisite endeavor led by senior scientists who represent the fields of immunology and beta cell biology, the two key disciplines related to the cause and potential cure for type 1 diabetes.
Dr. Rhodes was the recipient of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's prestigious David Rumbough Award in 2007, is past Chair for the American Diabetes Association Council for Molecular, Cellular and Biochemical Aspects of Diabetes, and has been an Associate Editor for the journal Diabetes.
Previously, Dr. Rhodes held various academic or research roles, including positions at Harvard Medical School, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, University of Washington, University of Cambridge and the Joslin Diabetes Center.
"I am delighted to welcome Dr. Rhodes, a world-renowned researcher in the diabetes field, to MedImmune at this extremely exciting time for our Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease therapeutic area," said YongJun Liu, Senior Vice President of R&D, MedImmune. "With his wealth of experience, we know he will propel MedImmune to the next level in metabolic disease, guiding our overall CVMD research strategy and driving results to ensure a seamless process for the progression of new drug candidates through the development process, with the ultimate goal of delivering novel medicines to patients."
Dr. Rhodes received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of Bath and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of London.
NOTES TO EDITORS
About MedImmune
MedImmune is the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca, a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of small molecule and biologic prescription medicines. MedImmune is pioneering innovative research and exploring novel pathways across key therapeutic areas, including respiratory, inflammation and autoimmunity; cardiovascular and metabolic disease; oncology; neuroscience; and infection and vaccines. The MedImmune headquarters is located in Gaithersburg, Md., one of AstraZeneca's three global R&D centers. For more information, please visit www.medimmune.com.