Jennifer Maynard

Last updated
Jennifer Maynard
Alma mater University of Texas at Austin
Stanford University
Scientific career
InstitutionsUniversity of Texas at Austin
Stanford University
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Thesis Engineering antibody therapeutics : approaches to neutralizing bacterial toxins  (2002)
Website Maynard Lab

Jennifer Maynard is an American chemist who is the Henry Beckman Professor in Chemical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research considers the development of therapeutic targets for infectious diseases. She was elected a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors in 2023.

Contents

Early life and education

Maynard was an undergraduate student in human biology at Stanford University. [1] She moved to the University of Texas at Austin for doctoral research, where she studied antibody therapeutics. [2] She then returned to Stanford as a postdoctoral fellow. [3]

Research and career

Maynard started her independent scientific career at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She spent two years there, before returning to the University of Texas at Austin, where she was made the Henry Beckman Professor in 2018. Her research considers the use of protein engineering in structural biology. [4]

In Texas, Maynard developed protein-based therapeutics for infectious diseases including Bordetella pertussis and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Maynard created T-cell receptors with antibody-like properties; specifically, they could attach to cells with CMV. [5] Cytomegalovirus impacts more than half of adults over the age of 40. In healthy immune systems, cytomegalovirus lies dormant and T-cells detect and destroy infected cells. However, the T-cell defence is diminished in immunocompromised patients, which can make CMV life-threatening.[ citation needed ]

Maynard created an antibody that can neutralize the anthrax toxin, which was developed by Elusys Therapeutics as Anthim (Obiltoxaximab). The drug was approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat inhalation anthrax. [6]

In 2021, Maynard joined the board of Releviate Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company that looks to support patients with neuropathic pain. [7]

Awards and honors

Selected publications

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. "Maynard, Jennifer - Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Programs - CNS Directory". cns.utexas.edu. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  2. "Engineering antibody therapeutics : approaches to neutralizing bacterial toxins | WorldCat.org". www.worldcat.org. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  3. "Jennifer Maynard, Ph.D." Janux Therapeutics. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  4. "Jennifer Maynard". www.che.utexas.edu. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  5. "Outfitting T cell receptors to combat a widespread and sometimes deadly virus". EurekAlert!. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  6. "» Anthrax Treatment Engineered by Texas ChE Researchers Gains FDA Approval". utw10279.utweb.utexas.edu. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  7. "Releviate Therapeutics Appoints Jennifer Maynard to Its Scientific Advisory Board". www.businesswire.com. 2021-05-04. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  8. "Maynard, Jennifer". The David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  9. Leahy, Cory (2012-02-13). "Teaching excellence". UT News. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  10. "» Inventor of the Year Award". utw10279.utweb.utexas.edu. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  11. "Jennifer A. Maynard, Ph.D. COF-2157 - AIMBE" . Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  12. Rittenhouse, Rebekah (2023-02-14). "NAI Welcomes 95 New Emerging Innovators". NAI. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  13. Burkhart, Ross (2023-02-14). "4 Professors Among National Academy of Inventors' Top Members". UT News. Retrieved 2023-02-25.