USC honors Nobel laureate Arieh Warshel on his 75th birthday

Distinguished scientists, including three Nobel laureates, from some of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions gathered this past weekend on USC’s University Park Campus to honor Arieh Warshel, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, and Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at USC Dornsife, as he celebrated his 75th birthday.

Taking place Nov. 20-22, the three-day event was attended by hundreds of scientists and included a symposium titled “Multiscale Modeling of Complex Molecules and Life Processes.” Dozens of world-renowned researchers from eminent institutions in North America, Europe and Asia presented their work in honor of Warshel, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2013.

Recognizing an accomplished man

A special birthday dinner on Nov. 20 highlighted Warshel’s contributions to science and to USC with reflections by a number of people close to the Nobel laureate.

“Over the four decades you have been at USC, you have forever changed science through your pioneering work,” said USC President C. L. Max Nikias in a specially recorded video message. “You are a beloved colleague, an inspiring scientist and a true treasure for USC. Please know your Trojan Family stands with you tonight. And we wish you a very happy birthday. Fight On!”

USC Provost Michael Quick, remarking on Warshel’s wisdom as a mentor, offered a witty comparison to writer Billy Wilder’s legendary advice to a budding screenwriter.

“Act one: If others tell you it’s impossible, you’re on the right track,” Quick explained, tongue firmly planted in cheek. “Act two: If they then, after telling you it’s impossible, tell you it’s trivial, you’re on the right track. And finally, in act three: If they end up taking credit for it, you’re definitely on the right track.”

Dani Byrd, interim dean of USC Dornsife, who acted as informal emcee for the dinner event, noted that Warshel had mentored more than 70 doctoral and postdoctoral scholars who represent 22 countries and four continents since joining USC in 1976. She highlighted Warshel’s extensive impact on USC.

“Arieh has offered decades of students — undergraduate and graduate — the gift of inspiration and the encouragement of curiosity in pursuing their own careers as scientists,” Byrd said. “Even well before elevating the clout of our department of chemistry through his Nobel victory, Arieh had established USC as one of the world’s hubs for theoretical chemistry.

“He is a guiding light who has constantly raised the level of our community by virtue of the power of combining intellectual leadership and outstanding energy with a lifetime commitment. He has set the tone for an overall ethos that embodies the spirit of the Trojan Family.”

The evening also was attended by members of Warshel’s family, including his wife, Tamar, daughters Merav and Yael, and several grandchildren. Yael Warshel, herself a USC alumna, spoke about the influence her father had on his daughters.

“He taught us, my sister and I, to focus on something that really matters to us — an issue or problem,” she said. “He taught us to focus on that … always focused, steadfast, on the problem that mattered to us and seeking a way, mathematically, to find a solution to the problem.”

Michael Levitt, who shared the Nobel Prize with Warshel, and David Dornsife, who, along with his wife, Dana, established the Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences with their transformational gift in 2011, also lauded Warshel for his lifetime of accomplishment.

An exceptional record of achievement

Warshel, who holds the Dana and David Dornsife Chair in Chemistry at USC, was awarded the Nobel Prize for his groundbreaking work in theoretical chemistry.

“Few chemists have influenced their field as profoundly as Professor Warshel,” said Charles McKenna, professor of chemistry and vice dean for natural sciences. “The fundamental science of today is the technology of tomorrow, and Arieh’s research promises to resonate in many ways as a template for solving complex biological problems in the future.”

A member of the National Academy of Sciences, Warshel has pioneered computer simulations of the mechanisms of enzymes and co-developed computer programs for molecular simulations that have been used extensively in different applications, including the development of new pharmaceuticals.

Warshel has authored nearly 400 peer-reviewed articles and the book Computer Modeling of Chemical Reactions in Enzymes and Solutions (Wiley Professional, 1991). An honorary member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), his numerous awards include the American Chemical Society’s Tolman Medal, the RSC’s Soft Matter and Biophysical Chemistry Award and the Biophysical Society’s Founders Award.