Dr. Baskar Nammalwar has been a principal scientist in medicinal chemistry at Vividion Therapeutics since 2022. Before his current position, he served in various positions in Blacksmith Medicines/Forge Therapeutics starting as Scientist I to Senior Scientist II across a span of 7 years. He earned his Master’s degree from Anna University, Chennai, India followed by a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in computer science from Periyar University, India. After his Master’s he moved to the USA to obtain his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in organic chemistry from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma,USA.

Dr. Richard A. Bunce was the undergraduate advisor for the Department of Chemistry from 1990-2014 and was named Outstanding Advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences in 2001 and 2006. He is now the faculty co-advisor for undergraduates in the department. He earned his PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1981. He joined the faculty at Oklahoma State University in Fall 1983. His research interests include mechanistic organic chemistry, the development of new synthetic approaches to heterocyclic compounds, and the synthesis of medicinal agents.