Chesterfield-born professor is doing this amazing project at American university

A Chesterfield-born professor is helping to solve a major global public health crisis.
Dr David Crich. Picture: Jessica Archer, Wayne State University.Dr David Crich. Picture: Jessica Archer, Wayne State University.
Dr David Crich. Picture: Jessica Archer, Wayne State University.

Dr David Crich, a professor of organic chemistry at Wayne State University in Detroit, America, is leading an ambitious project which aims to shape the next generation of antibiotics.

The research will study aminoglycoside antibiotics (AGAs) which are often used to treat complex infectious diseases such as the hospital superbug MRSA.

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According to 56-year-old Dr Crich, current AGAs are susceptible to resistance so he and his research team aim to design novel AGAs which do not suffer complications.

Gloria Heppner, associate vice president for research at Wayne State University, said: "There are many new cases of drug-resistant bacteria every year which threaten effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections.

"Dr Crich's work is critical in helping to solve a major global public health crisis.

"Without research such as his, we are facing a growing list of common infections and injuries that may soon be untreatable."

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The project was recently awarded a $2.5million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Dr Crich's parents Dennis and Winne live at Vincent Crescent in Brampton.

Mr Crich said: "We're so proud of David.

"We're just an ordinary, working class family – David loved motorbikes when he was growing up in Chesterfield and I taught him how to drive.

"He's worked very hard and done extremely well over the years.

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"This latest project is very important and we wish him and his team all the best with it."

Dr Crich – whose son is following in his footsteps and studying chemistry at Yale University in Connecticut – is a former head boy at Tapton House School.

He gained an honours degree in chemistry and French at Surrey University and had a post-doctoral period in France.

Dr Crich studied under Sir Derek Barton, a former Nobel Prize winner for chemistry.

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He then returned to this country as a lecturer in chemistry at University College, London, before moving to America.

Eleven years ago he was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Derby.

He received the accolade 'in recognition of his outstanding contribution to organic chemistry'.