Dr. Hamann is a Professor of Pharmacognosy, Pharmacology, Chemistry & Biochemistry as well as a Research Professor with the National Center for Natural Products Research at the University of Mississippi and an Adjunct Professor with the Center of Marine Biotechnology (COMB), University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI).  Dr. Hamann received his B.Sc. in Chemistry & Biology from Bemidji State University in Minnesota.  He has several years experience in GMP pharmaceutical manufacturing and then completed a Ph.D. degree in Marine Natural Products Chemistry in 1992 at the University of Hawaii, Chemistry Department under the guidance of the late Professor Paul Scheuer -a pioneer in the discovery and chemical ecology of marine natural products.  During his 20-year research career, Dr. Hamann has published over 100 scientific papers, reviews and book chapters. He has received numerous awards and honors, organized numerous scientific symposia and meetings and frequently delivers keynote or plenary presentations at international conferences. Dr. Hamann’s research program includes an extensive array of collaborations with the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industry as well as Federal research programs focused on the development of treatments for infectious, neurological diseases and cancer from marine derived secondary metabolites.  Dr. Hamann’s group has a small pipeline of marine natural product drug leads.  The most advanced product currently investigated by his research group are the kahalalides. The lead compound, Kahalalide F is covered by U.S. patent number 6,274,551 which is assigned to PharmaMar S.A., a pharmaceutical company in Madrid. PharmaMar is developing this novel class of anticancer agents, and Kahalalide F is currently in phase II clinical trials.

email:mthamann@olemiss.edu