Dr. Shukla Named UIC Inventor of the Year
Deepak Shukla, PhD, has been honored as the 2024 University of Illinois Chicago Inventor of the Year. He is the Marion H. Schenk Esq. Professor in Ophthalmology for Research of the Aging Eye, as well as Professor of Microbiology and Immunology with the University of Illinois College of Medicine. Dr. Shukla serves as Vice Chair for Research and Director of the Ocular Virology Laboratory in the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences.
Dr. Shukla's journey into the realm of translational research has been nothing short of extraordinary. His pioneering work against herpesvirus pathogenesis has not only pushed the boundaries of scientific knowledge but has also translated into tangible solutions that hold immense promise for society. His discovery of BX795 as a new mechanism inhibitor was a breakthrough and considered the most discussed new drug discovery in 2018.
In addition, Dr. Shukla's patented discovery of 4-PBA as an effective antiviral against HSV is a testament to his innovation. His research has laid the foundation for a transformative therapy against a highly prevalent and burdensome infection. The award of a $5.5 million NIH R24 grant for preclinical development of PBA as an antiviral to Dr. Shukla highlights the translational significance of this discovery.
Dr. Shukla's recent developments in the DECON technology are propelling us closer to clinical trials. The support from the UIC Office of Technology Management Proof of Concept Award and Ingevity Inc.'s significant investment of $200,000 underscore the immense commercial potential and societal impact of this innovation. A newly acquired RO1 funding is also supporting further development of this platform.
With support from 5 NIH RO1 grants, R24, R56, and P30 grants as the PI and 2 additional RO1s as the co-I, Dr. Shukla consistently generates over $2.5 million in research funds annually, totaling an impressive $12.5 million over the past five years. Since 2001, Dr. Shukla has published over 175 papers from UIC in top-notch journals, making fundamental discoveries with strong translational potential, trained over 20 graduate students in his lab, and provided service to numerous NIH study sections, including as Chair of an NIH small business study section.
Given his outstanding achievements, Dr. Shukla was elected a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, a rare distinction that demonstrates his excellence in the field. In 2018, he received the UI COM Researcher of the Year award, and in 2023, he received the University of Illinois prestigious University Scholar award.
Congratulations to Dr. Shukla for receiving the 2024 UIC Inventor of the Year Award.