Donald Backos

About Donald Backos

I am a computational medicinal chemist and molecular modeler with 14 years of experience and a proven track record in the design and development of novel kinase inhibitors, anticancer agents, ion channel modulators, and GPCR agonists and antagonists. Currently, I am the Director of Computational Chemistry at Ambrosia Biosciences. I was previously at Pfizer Boulder R&D as an Associate Research Fellow and head of the computational chemistry group. I specialize in novel small molecule drug design, drug lead optimization, structural biology, molecular dynamics simulations, protein-protein interaction prediction, and virtual library screening/drug re-purposing.I am also the director of Subunit Studios, Ltd, which provides computational chemistry consulting services, as well as scientific illustrations and animations to scientists and researchers to assist in effectively communicating the results of their research. We also produce custom art and design media, concept art, 3D realtime and game assets, and 3D printed models of your favorite protein.But, at the end of the day, I am a problem solver. Whether it\'s figuring out how to make your drug more potent, more metabolically stable, and less toxic; how to translate molecular modeling and structural biology data into eye-catching figures and presentations; or how to get that high poly game character to run smoothly on your phone. I do it all on time and under budget.Molecular modeling software experience: Discovery Studio, Schrödinger Maestro, Cresset Suite (Flare and Spark), YASARA, Spartan, AMBER / AMBER Tools, NAMD / VMD, and ICM-Pro.3D modeling and artistic software experience: Lightwave, Modo, Zbrush, Substance Suite, Unity 3D, Godot, 3D Coat, Marmoset Toolbag, Maxwell Render, Octane Render, Keyshot, Sketchfab, MagicaVoxel, Adobe CC (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Fireworks, InDesign, Premier), Rebelle, Clip Studio, and Affinity Suite (Designer, Photo, and Publisher).

Experience

1. Director of Computational Chemistry

   Ambrosia Biosciences Inc.

   Mar 2025 — Present · Boulder, CO, US

Education

• University of Colorado

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Molecular Toxicology

  2005 — 2010

• University of Michigan

  Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), Toxicology

  1999 — 2001

• University of Michigan

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Microbiology

  1995 — 1999

Skills

• Digital Illustration
• Modo
• Drug Discovery
• Lightwave
• Cancer Cell Biology
• Simulations
• Zbrush
• 3d Modeling
• Molecular Modeling
• After Effects
• Photoshop
• Unity3d
• Molecular Dynamics
• C#
• Substance Designer
• Redox Biology
• Drug Metabolism
• Computer Animation
• Illustrator
• Protein Chemistry
• Computational Biology
• Drug Design
• 3d Graphics
• 3d Coat
• 3d Printing
• 3d Visualization
• Medical Illustration
• Neuroscience
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (Pcr)
• Neurooncology
• Maxwell Render
• Biochemistry
• Antioxidants
• Discovery Studio
• Science
• Multimedia
• 3d Rendering
• Molecular Biology
• Toxicology
• Substance Painter