Biomolecules Webinar | AI-Driven Drug Discovery: Opportunities and Challenges in Molecular Research
the chair
11th Biomolecules Webinar
AI-Driven Drug Discovery: Opportunities and Challenges in Molecular Research
It is my great pleasure to present our webinar, “AI-Driven Drug Discovery: Opportunities and Challenges in Molecular Research.” In recent years, artificial intelligence has rapidly transformed the landscape of molecular science, opening new avenues for understanding complex biological systems and accelerating the discovery of novel therapeutics. Today’s talks will showcase cutting-edge computational approaches, with a particular focus on protein dynamics and the exploration of conformational landscapes. I am delighted to host our distinguished speakers and to engage in what I am sure will be a stimulating and insightful discussion. I would also like to thank all participants for joining us, and I look forward to an interactive session, which will include a Q&A at the end.
Date: 6 May 2026
Time: 4:30 PM CEST | 10:30 AM EDT | 10:30 PM CST Asia
Webinar ID: 848 4141 4967
Webinar Secretariat: journal.webinar@mdpi.com
Meet Our Speakers
Department of Neuroscience, Division of QHS Computational Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA;
Thomas R. Caulfield, Jr., PhD is the Founder and CEO of Digital Ether Computing LLC, an AI-powered drug discovery and advanced AI systems company based in Miami. He previously served as Associate Professor across seven Mayo Clinic departments simultaneously and directed the institution's core drug discovery facility for 12 years, supporting 30+ collaborating laboratories. His research spans computational chemistry, molecular dynamics, generative molecular design, and physics-informed AI, with 110+ publications, 65+ patents, and an h-index of 41. He has published in Neuron, Science Translational Medicine, and Nature Communications, and serves as reviewer for Nature and Science.
Dr. Sarfaraz K. Niazi
College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
Professor Niazi has pioneered the field of biological drugs by creating biosimilars, mRNA vaccines, CRISPR technology, and applications of AI and quantum mechanics in drug discovery. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles on these topics, helped the US FDA rationalize its approval guidelines, and served as an advisor to multiple heads of state on topics ranging from regulatory controls to governance philosophies. He has published 70+ books, owns 100+ US patents, and has raised over a billion dollars to supporgivingesearch programs.
Innovative Approaches and New Directions in Drug Design and Chemical Biology
Edited by Dr. Arshad Ansari and Dr. Avinash Gothwal
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 December 2026
Artificial Intelligence in Structural Biology and Drug Discovery
Edited by Dr. Kyle Biggar
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026
In this section, you will find the recordings of this webinar to watch, re-watch and share with your colleagues!