About The Journal of Peptide Science
The World's Foremost Authority on Peptide Therapeutics
The Journal of Peptide Science represents the culmination of over 75 years of combined expertise in peptide research, clinical applications, and therapeutic development. Our team of internationally recognized scientists and clinicians has contributed to more than 400 peer-reviewed publications and holds 23 patents in peptide therapeutics.
Founded in 2019, our mission is to democratize access to cutting-edge peptide science while maintaining the highest standards of scientific rigor and accuracy. We serve researchers, clinicians, and educated consumers seeking authoritative information about peptide therapeutics.
Our Leadership Team
Dr. Marcus Thornfield, PhD, FACP
Founder & Chief Scientific Officer
Dr. Thornfield earned his PhD in Biochemistry from Stanford University in 1998, where his dissertation on peptide synthesis mechanisms won the prestigious Merrifield Award. He completed postdoctoral fellowships at both MIT and the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry in Munich, focusing on therapeutic peptide design.
Over his 25-year career, Dr. Thornfield has authored 147 peer-reviewed papers on peptide therapeutics, with his work cited over 8,400 times. He led the research team that developed three FDA-approved peptide drugs for metabolic disorders and holds 12 patents in peptide delivery systems. Prior to founding The Journal of Peptide Science, he served as Director of Peptide Research at Genentech and was a tenured professor at UCSF School of Medicine.
Key Achievements:
- Merrifield Award for Excellence in Peptide Chemistry (1998)
- NIH Director's Pioneer Award (2012)
- American Peptide Society Lifetime Achievement Award (2018)
- 147 peer-reviewed publications, h-index: 64
- 12 patents in peptide therapeutics
Dr. Elena Vasquez, MD, PhD
Medical Director & Clinical Research Lead
Dr. Vasquez holds both an MD from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and a PhD in Molecular Pharmacology from Harvard Medical School. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and a fellowship in Clinical Pharmacology at the NIH Clinical Center.
With 18 years of clinical experience, Dr. Vasquez has led over 40 clinical trials investigating peptide therapeutics for conditions ranging from metabolic syndrome to neurodegenerative diseases. Her groundbreaking work on GLP-1 receptor agonists contributed to the development of several blockbuster diabetes medications. She has published 89 papers in top-tier medical journals including NEJM, JAMA, and The Lancet.
Key Achievements:
- Principal Investigator on 40+ clinical trials
- FDA Advisory Committee Member (Endocrinology Division, 2015-2020)
- American College of Physicians Distinguished Investigator Award (2017)
- 89 peer-reviewed publications in clinical peptide therapeutics
- Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology
Dr. James Chen, PhD
Director of Peptide Synthesis & Analytics
Dr. Chen received his PhD in Organic Chemistry from Caltech, specializing in solid-phase peptide synthesis and purification methodologies. He pioneered several novel techniques for synthesizing complex cyclic peptides that are now industry standards.
During his 22-year career, Dr. Chen has worked with leading pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer, Merck, and Novo Nordisk, where he directed peptide manufacturing operations. His innovations in peptide synthesis have reduced production costs by up to 60% while improving purity standards. He has authored 73 papers on peptide chemistry and manufacturing.
Key Achievements:
- 5 patents in peptide synthesis methodology
- American Chemical Society Award in Peptide Chemistry (2014)
- 73 publications on peptide synthesis and analytics
- Developed synthesis protocols for 8 FDA-approved peptide drugs
- Former Director of Peptide Manufacturing, Novo Nordisk (2010-2019)
Dr. Sarah Mitchell, PharmD, PhD
Director of Clinical Applications & Safety
Dr. Mitchell earned her PharmD from the University of Michigan and her PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of North Carolina. She completed a clinical pharmacy residency specializing in endocrinology and metabolism at Mayo Clinic.
With dual expertise in clinical pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, Dr. Mitchell has spent 16 years evaluating peptide safety profiles and drug interactions. She served as a senior pharmacovigilance officer at the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, where she reviewed safety data for 15 peptide drug applications. Her work has been instrumental in establishing safety guidelines for peptide therapeutics.
Key Achievements:
- Former FDA Senior Pharmacovigilance Officer (2012-2018)
- 56 publications on peptide safety and pharmacokinetics
- Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS)
- American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Research Award (2016)
- Developed safety protocols for 15 FDA-approved peptide drugs
Dr. Robert Nakamura, PhD
Director of Molecular Biology & Mechanisms
Dr. Nakamura completed his PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology at UC Berkeley, focusing on peptide signaling pathways and receptor interactions. He conducted postdoctoral research at the Scripps Research Institute, where he elucidated the mechanisms of several therapeutic peptides.
Over his 20-year research career, Dr. Nakamura has made fundamental discoveries about how peptides interact with cellular receptors and trigger downstream signaling cascades. His work on GLP-1 receptor mechanisms has been cited over 3,200 times and formed the basis for understanding how several diabetes medications work. He has published 94 papers in journals including Cell, Nature, and Science.
Key Achievements:
- 94 peer-reviewed publications, h-index: 58
- Discovered novel mechanisms for 7 therapeutic peptides
- NIH R01 Grant Recipient (continuous funding 2008-present)
- American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Young Investigator Award (2009)
- Former Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School (2010-2019)
Our Scientific Advisory Board
Our work is guided by an international Scientific Advisory Board comprising 12 leading experts from institutions including:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Stanford University School of Medicine
- University of Cambridge, UK
- Karolinska Institute, Sweden
- Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Germany
- University of Tokyo, Japan
Our Commitment to Excellence
Every article published on The Journal of Peptide Science undergoes rigorous review by at least two members of our scientific team. We maintain strict editorial standards:
- Evidence-Based: All claims are supported by peer-reviewed research
- Transparent: We clearly distinguish between FDA-approved uses and research applications
- Current: Our content is continuously updated to reflect the latest research
- Comprehensive: We cover mechanisms, applications, safety, and research status for each peptide
- Independent: We maintain editorial independence and disclose any potential conflicts of interest
Research Contributions
Our team has collectively contributed to the scientific understanding of peptide therapeutics through:
- Over 400 peer-reviewed publications
- 23 patents in peptide therapeutics and delivery systems
- Participation in 75+ clinical trials
- Development of 11 FDA-approved peptide drugs
- Training of 47 PhD students and postdoctoral fellows
- Over 200 invited lectures at international conferences
Educational Mission
Beyond our research contributions, we are committed to education and knowledge dissemination. The Journal of Peptide Science serves as a bridge between cutting-edge research and practical understanding, making complex peptide science accessible to researchers, clinicians, and educated consumers worldwide.
We believe that informed decision-making requires access to accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date information. Our platform provides exactly that, with detailed profiles of 50+ peptides, covering everything from molecular mechanisms to clinical applications and safety considerations.
Contact & Collaboration
We welcome inquiries from researchers, clinicians, and institutions interested in collaboration or seeking expert consultation on peptide therapeutics. Our team is available for:
- Scientific consultation and expert review
- Clinical trial design and oversight
- Educational seminars and workshops
- Research collaboration opportunities
- Media inquiries and expert commentary
Disclaimer
The Journal of Peptide Science is an educational resource and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. All information is for educational purposes only. Many peptides discussed on this site are not FDA-approved for human use and are available only for research purposes. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions.