Michelle Arkin, PhD, professor in the UCSF School of Pharmacy’s Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and a globally recognized scientist in drug discovery, has been inducted into the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE)’s College of Fellows — one of the highest professional honors in the field.
 
Election to the AIMBE College of Fellows places Arkin among the top 2 percent of medical and biological engineers. The honor recognizes experts who have made outstanding contributions to engineering and medicine through research, practice, or education and to individuals who have pioneered new and developing fields of technology to advance medical and biological engineering.
 
Arkin was nominated, reviewed, and elected by her peers and members of the College of Fellows “for leadership in team science, mentorship of entrepreneurs, and pioneering research leading to novel medicines for ‘undruggable’ targets.” 
 
An internationally recognized leader in drug discovery, Arkin’s work focuses on developing strategies to target proteins once considered beyond the reach of conventional therapeutics. 
 
Her research has helped advance the field of small-molecule drug discovery, particularly in the challenging area of protein–protein interactions. In addition to her scientific contributions, she has played a key role in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and translating basic research into real-world therapeutic advances.
 
Arkin is the executive director of the Small Molecule Discovery Center, where she leads collaborative efforts to identify and develop new drug candidates. She is also the school’s vice dean for Research Technology and Entrepreneurship.
 
Arkin was inducted during an AIMBE ceremony in Arlington, Virginia on April 13. She was one of 175 colleagues representing 35 countries who make up the AIMBE College of Fellows Class of 2026.