By Dr. David Wassarman, CMB Chair
Tommy carried out his thesis research with Dr. Robert Kirchdoerfer in the Department of Biochemistry and the Institute for Molecular Virology. His thesis is titled “Structural and functional approaches to broaden our understanding of coronavirus replication complexes”.
The CMB committee that reviewed the nominated theses provided the following thoughts about Tommy and his thesis research. “Thomas (“Tommy”) Anderson produced an exceptionally well-written thesis, distinguished by a compelling introduction that contextualized his discoveries and a discussion chapter that showcased his creativity and depth of insight. His passion for molecular virology is evident throughout the work. One thesis committee member remarked that it was “what the ideal thesis should look like.” Tommy employed cutting-edge cryo-electron microscopy techniques in combination with classical molecular biology to elucidate novel coronavirus polymerase structures and the assembly of the replication-transcription complex – now key targets for antiviral drug development. His findings were published in high-impact journals and include the characterization of polymerase inhibitors, among several other significant contributions. These discoveries not only advanced the field but also laid a foundation for future research within the lab and beyond.”