Stephen J. Benkovic
James Stephen Benkovic ( born April 20, 1938 in Orange, New Jersey) is an American chemist at Pennsylvania State University.
Life
Benkovic acquired in 1960 at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, both a bachelor's degree in chemistry and English literature. At Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, in 1963, he earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry. As a postdoctoral fellow Benkovic worked at Thomas C. Bruice at the University of California, Santa Barbara, before he became in 1965 assistant professor at Pennsylvania State University. In 1967 he became Associate Professor in 1970 and was awarded a full professorship. Today ( as of 2011) is Benkovic, Evan Pugh Professor and Eberly there Chair of Chemistry.
Work
Benkovic has made important contributions to biochemical research, particularly for mechanistic understanding of how enzymes in the transfer of groups. He could contribute using chemical, physical and biochemical methods substantially to elucidate the complex enzyme systems involved in DNA replication, or in the biosynthesis of the purine. In addition, he has improved the methods for identifying biological targets and the development of new drugs.