January 18, 2002

Contact: Ranjit Arab, University Relations, (785) 864-8855.

KU student becomes first in medicinal chemistry to win prestigious fellowship

LAWRENCE -- Among chemistry students, Aaron Wrobleski is somewhat of a trailblazer.

Not only is he the first University of Kansas student to win a prestigious fellowship in organic chemistry from the American Chemical Society, but he's also the first student in medicinal chemistry -- from any institution -- to receive the honor in the fellowship's 19-year history. The one-year award is worth $19,000.

Wrobleski, a third-year graduate student from Oglesby, Ill., was recognized by the ACS for his outstanding work in synthesizing molecules isolated from natural resources. In his current research project, he has succeeded in preparing a complex structure previously isolated only in minute quantities from the skin of a South American "poison-dart" frog. Once he has made enough of this compound in the laboratory, Wrobleski will submit it for biological testing in the hope that it will help lead to effective drug therapies.

Jeffrey Aube, professor of medicinal chemistry at KU and Wrobleski's adviser, said he wasn't surprised his student was chosen for the honor.

"I knew Aaron was doing the quality and quantity of research that was competitive with people at the best institutions across the nation," Aube said. "It's just more evidence that KU has a lot of great graduate students."

Wrobleski, meanwhile, said he could not have secured the fellowship without the help of his adviser.

"It really reflects well on the department and particularly the chemistry that Professor Aube does," he said.

Wrobleski said he also hopes that his achievement will encourage other medicinal chemistry students at KU to pursue the esteemed fellowship.

"I think there are plenty of students within our department that are of the caliber to land one of these fellowships," he said.

As one of the 17 recipients of the fellowship, Wrobleski will be invited to present his work at the 2003 National Organic Symposium in Indianapolis. Abbott Laboratories of Abbott Park, Ill., sponsored Wrobleski's fellowship.