Dr. Charles Zuker is Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and of Neuroscience, Columbia University Medical Center. Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Dr. Zuker is known for his work in sensory neuroscience, including mechanisms of phototransduction, mechanotransduction, and more recently taste. Dr. Zuker and collaborators identified the cells, receptors, and coding logic for the five basic taste qualities (sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami). Dr. Zuker’s research has been recognized by several awards, including the Cogan Award and the Alcon Award for his research on vision, the Spencer Award from Columbia University, and the International Flavors and Fragrances Award for his work in taste. He is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He was a scientific co-founder of Aurora Biosciences and Senomyx.

Dr. Zuker is a co-founder of Kallyope.

Scientific Advisory Board: Escient Pharmaceuticals (Chairman), Cajal Neuroscience, Kallyope

Involvement: TCG III, TCG IV, & TCG V