Spring 2001 -- Vol. 18, No. 1

FACES OF PENN STATE

Stephen Benkovic
Evan Pugh Professor of Chemistry,
Eberly Family Chair in Chemistry

Stephen Benkovic turned away offers to leave Penn State several times during his career. Leaving was never a real consideration. "We were always well supported and always able to attract outstanding students," he says.

After more than three decades at Penn State and at the foreground of bioorganic chemistry research and scholarship, Stephen Benkovic appreciates the importance of change. Change and adaptation have contributed to his research success, as his laboratory has continually remained a leader in its field by pursuing answers to intriguing questions. He also understands how a University community must adapt, change, and grow over a period of time.

Some things never change, though, among them Benkovic's appreciation of Penn State and his position as one of the world leaders in his field. At this time, his research has two major themes--micro and molecular enzyme assemblies and how they function, and enzymes and catalysis and whether they can be manipulated. Those areas represent outgrowths from his previous efforts as well as potential starting points for work that includes the development of antibiotics that could be used against agents adopted for chemical warfare.

"If you look at our work, we have not been doing the same research for any more than three or four years at any time," Benkovic says. "It has evolved, and that's probably why my career has been as rich as it has. Not only have the ideas evolved, but we've kept changing and following what we thought were the most important questions."

As a result, Benkovic has been elected as a member of a number of prestigious organizations, including: the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences; the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; and the National Academy of Sciences.

His many accomplishments and awards have made him a frequent lecturer worldwide as well as a valuable resource for the Department of Chemistry. For his success, he credits his wife, Pat, with whom he works closely, and his students. He also credits the University and the Eberly Family Chair for important support. In addition, he takes his role within the department and the University community seriously.

"My responsibilities include supporting younger faculty members, whether through the publication of their papers or simply by exchanging ideas," Benkovic says. "Faculty members in my position should play a role in recruitment for the department and by expressing ourselves about the direction of the University. Those are things that should be part of the duties and responsibilities for all Evan Pughs and distinguished professors."

Ongoing research and other responsibilities fan the flames of Benkovic's scientific passion. As a child, he remembers learning about birds, ordering chemicals, conducting experiments, and building rockets--all of which led him to become the only scientist in his family. He jokes that his interest in science was genetic. While he loves to cycle, fish, swim, and read, his primary hobby remains his work. Even when off campus, he never seems far from the lab.

"When we come in each morning, I can't wait to see what happened in the lab the night before," Benkovic says. "You could say I am a workaholic, but it's never been work for me."

-- By Steve Sampsell

Back to Science Journal Spring 2001 Index

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