Distinguished scientist: Paul Trippier, PhD

This profile is part of a series to highlight the researchers who will be honored at a ceremony on Feb. 24 for UNMC's 2021 Scientist Laureate, Distinguished Scientist, New Investigator and Community Service to Research Award recipients.

• Name: Paul Trippier, PhD
• Title: Associate professor and director for graduate studies in the UNMC Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 
• Joined UNMC: June 2019 
• Hometown: Wigan, England (suburb of Manchester) 

Research focus: Drug discovery

Why is research important in the world today? 

Finding new knowledge has always been ingrained in humans right from birth; I see it every day in my daughters. I just use cutting-edge technology, while they use whatever is in their toy box. Scientific research has the ability to address some of the most significant problems facing humanity: our environment, space exploration, new ways to treat and prevent disease. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of science to everyone. My own research is focused on developing new ways to combat disease. Ultimately, that is the importance of research, to improve human life, and UNMC is a world leader in that.

My research will make a difference because:  

We have a number of projects in my lab trying to understand how diseases work and developing potential new drugs to offer therapeutic options to improve patients’ lives. We work on cancer, stroke and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and ALS. We have an interest in applying our science to pediatric diseases and have just received funding to design new compounds as possible therapeutics for Batten disease, a rare disease in children. My research will make difference by hopefully allowing people to live longer and better-quality lives.  

The best advice I’ve ever received is: 

“There is no such word as can’t.” 

Not literally correct, but it was a common British phrase when I was growing up, meaning to never give up and look at a problem a different way until you find a solution.

Three things you may not know about me are: 

• I’m a Wigan Warriors, Manchester City, Chicago Blackhawks and Union Omaha fan. 
• I was a passable rugby player. 
• I am a coffee and beer connoisseur but not coffee-flavored beer or vice versa.