James Chesko, PhD

Senior Scientist

James joined IDRI in 2008 following twelve years of experience at Novartis Vaccines (previously Chiron) adjuvants and delivery group, and at ALZA Corporation formulating controlled release therapeutics. His work specializes in molecular characterization of complex biophysical processes and systems using structural and thermodynamic methods. 

James received his PhD from the University of California at Berkeley in experimental physical chemistry, and his BSc (Hons.) from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Before attending graduate school he spent a year studying literature and philosophy and began volunteering with local community groups, including mountain search and rescue teams in Canada and the US. Following his doctoral degree, he worked on environmental and molecular science projects at the Pacific Northwest and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories.