Biography

Raul Rolando Calvo is a research scientist in the Chemistry Technology program within NCATS’ Division of Preclinical Innovation, where he designs and synthesizes small-molecule modulators of cellular events involved in neurodegenerative diseases. Before joining NCATS as a medicinal chemist in 2013, Calvo’s efforts focused on the discovery and delivery of drugs for clinical trials in such areas as hypertension (ACE/diuretics and ACE inhibitors), osteoporosis (calcium receptor antagonists), cardiovascular disease (GpIIb/IIIa antagonists — small peptides and molecules), oncology (p53-hdm2 antagonists) and pain (TRPV1 antagonists). In 2007, Calvo received the Johnson & Johnson Innovation of the Year Award for his discovery of a TRPV1 antagonist, which is now in clinical trials.

Calvo earned a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland in 1974 and a Master of Science in chemistry from SUNY at Stony Brook in 1982. While at Stony Brook, he worked on designing and synthesizing phospholipids to study phospholipid-protein interactions.

Research Topics

Calvo’s research aims to improve the translational process by improving understanding of fundamental processes that affect multiple diseases:

• Modulation of TRPML channels
• Stable analogs of DHA
• Formulation of tocopherol derivatives
• Modulation of autophagy
• NPC1/Rab9 modulators
• SixOneEya2 antagonists
• Clearance of Huntintin aggregation in cells
• Use of exosomes to study cellular processes and the delivery of drugs to cells