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Alumni Profiles Series: Matthew Walters
Dr. Matthew Walters graduated from Duke University in 2008 with his Ph.D. in biochemistry and a certificate in chemical biology under the mentorship of Dr. Eric Toone. He did his postdoctoral training with Dr. Larry Marnett at Vanderbilt University, before joining the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products where has been since 2010 and he currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Division of Product Science. Dr. Walters pursued a Master of Public Health degree at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, which gave him valuable insights into the complexities of science-informed policymaking. Dr. Walters also serves as an officer in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
When did you first get involved in biochemistry research?
I grew up in Rhode Island but decided to travel down to South Carolina to pursue my undergraduate studies at the College of Charleston. It was here where I focused on organic synthesis research and developed a love for performing experiments.
Tell me about your graduate school experience.
After my undergraduate studies, I transitioned to complete my Ph.D. in biochemistry with a certificate in chemical biology at Duke under the mentorship of Dr. Eric Toone. Dr. Toone specialized in research at the intersection of chemical biology and biochemistry, which was something I found fascinating. My thesis work involved studying the expanded versatility and stereochemical investigation of KDPG and KDPGal aldolases, which are involved in breaking down sugars to produce energy. My work involved lots of protein purifications, protein catalysis experiments, and enzymology studies.
Why did you pursue a postdoc after graduate school?
I knew I wanted to explore careers outside of academia, but I also wanted to learn a few new techniques while I explored my options. I did my postdoctoral fellowship at Vanderbilt University under the mentorship of Dr. Larry Marnett, where he engaged in drug discovery research, which was more translational than my graduate school research. My work included synthesizing naproxen derivatives targeting COX1 and COX2 enzymes and conducting small animal studies.

Tell me about your position at the FDA.
In October 2010, I joined the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP), where I transitioned from doing lab work to developing regulatory policies for tobacco control. I found this position online at usajobs.gov and decided to apply. At the CTP, I focus on evaluating the harmful health effects of combustible tobacco products and managing policies around electronic nicotine delivery systems. I currently serve as the Deputy Director of the Division of Product Science, overseeing a staff of 80 scientists, including chemists and a chemistry leadership team. My team also collaborates with other Centers within the FDA to glean past regulatory experiences to apply approaches to tobacco product regulation, which only began in the US in 2009. While at the FDA, in order to deepen my understanding of public health policy, I pursued a Master of Public Health degree at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, which gave me valuable insights into the complexities of science-informed policymaking.
Do you miss academic science?
Reflecting on my career, I really don’t miss bench science as much as I thought. I deeply value my role in shaping public health policy. I encourage all young scientists to explore diverse career paths beyond bench research. By leveraging your scientific expertise to shape policy, you can create a meaningful and lasting impact on public health.
What is your favorite Duke memory?
While I participated in many Duke basketball campouts, I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing Duke’s sport victories, especially against the University of Maryland (UMD).
Author

Carly Williams
Ph.D. candidate, Biochemistry
Carly Williams is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Biochemistry at Duke University. Her research focuses on small molecule inhibitors targeting DNA damage tolerance pathways as a way to overcome hormone therapy resistance in prostate cancer. In her free time, she loves to hike or play board games with her husband and cuddle her cats.