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Preston B. Moore is Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Saint Joseph's University and Director of the West Center for Computational Chemistry and Drug Design. His research focuses on the development and application of molecular dynamics simulations, statistical mechanics, and computational chemistry methods to understand complex chemical and biological systems. His research spans membrane biophysics, protein dynamics, molecular recognition, interfacial phenomena, electrolyte thermodynamics, and computational drug discovery. Recent work has focused on water activity in electrolyte solutions, allosteric signaling in G protein-coupled receptors and viral RNA polymerases, and nucleation processes at solid–liquid interfaces. His group develops computational methodologies that connect atomistic simulations with experimentally measurable thermodynamic and structural properties. Dr. Moore has authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications, secured millions in external research funding, mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate researchers, and established collaborations across chemistry, biology, materials science, and pharmaceutical research. He is committed to advancing computational chemistry while integrating research with student training and education.

Research Description

Dr. Moore's research focuses on the development and use of condensed phase, molecular simulation methods to investigate chemical problems. An understanding of the fundamental physical laws governing the interactions between atoms and molecules can be used to describe complex biological systems.

The ideas Moore is pursuing are united by a common theme: unraveling the structure, dynamics, and thermodynamics of complex chemical systems such as proteins, molecular liquids, and lipid bilayers. Great success has been achieved using molecular mechanics to describe the behavior and structure of biological molecules, and ever-increasing computational power allows for larger and more complex systems to be investigated. Theoretical chemistry, chemical physics, and computational chemistry, as applied to model biological systems, are a powerful combination for a research program addressing interesting and timely questions in biology and chemistry.

Moore's current research focuses on the molecular dynamics simulation of lipid bilayers, membrane proteins, ion channels, and the spectroscopy of molecular liquids. His group uses simulation and collaborations with experimentalists to interrogate the structure, dynamics, and interactions of these chemically and biologically complex problems. Currently, he is investigating coarse grain models of lipid bilayers and proteins. These models have recently been shown to be surprisingly robust.

Moore's research also includes the development and application of new computer modeling techniques. For example, he continues to develop our state-of-the-art, parallel molecular dynamics code. This code takes full advantage of recent algorithmic developments and new parallel computer technology, which allows us to investigate ever larger and more complex systems.

Positions

Professor (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
Saint Joseph's University 2002
Professor (Chemistry & Biochemistry)
University of the Sciences 2002 - 2022
Associate Director of the Center for Molecular Modeling (Chemistry)
University of Pennsylvania 1998 - 2002
Postdoctoral Fellow with Professor Michael L. Klein (Chemistry)
University of Pennsylvania 1994 - 1997
Postdoctoral Fellow with Professor Tomas Keyes (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
Boston University 1993 - 1993

Education

PhD (Department of Chemistry)
Boston University 1992
Chemistry and Math BS (Chemistry)
Bates College 1988