About Us
The proteins in nature evolved over millions of years to solve the most complex challenges on Earth. Our mission is to create new proteins that solve modern challenges across medicine, technology, and sustainability.
Who We Are
The Institute for Protein Design at the University of Washington is a global leader in science. From creating breakthrough AI technologies to delivering the first computationally designed protein medicine, our work reflects our dual commitment to both generate knowledge and achieve impact.
Our team includes our Faculty and Staff, Translational Investigators, and Core R&D Lab members. Each person brings their unique passion to our shared mission. We’re always seeking new trainees and collaborators — please reach out if you’d like to work with us.
Current Members
Collaborating Research Groups
Spinouts (so far)
Institute Leadership
DIRECTOR
David Baker, PhD
David oversees research at the IPD. He is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, the Henrietta and Aubrey Davis Endowed Professor in Biochemistry, and an adjunct professor of genome sciences, bioengineering, chemical engineering, computer science, and physics at the University of Washington.
Interim Executive Director
Lance Stewart, PhD, MBA
Lance has been a key member of the leadership team at the IPD since its founding. He brings more than two decades of experience in protein and drug discovery research, life sciences partnering, and entrepreneurial startup activities.
Discovery and Impact
At the core of our Institute is a belief that fundamental research and practical applications go hand in hand. While we strive for excellence when publishing scientific papers and training the next generation of professors, we also recognize the power of our discoveries to transform lives through new therapies and technologies.
Our approach enables us to create companies and foster collaborations with industry partners. We have launched ten spinouts to date that have together raised more than $1 billion in their efforts to realize the potential of protein design. As a non-commercial entity, the Institute receives minimal or no direct benefit from these commercial activities.
Open Science
For more than a decade, our researchers have developed state-of-the-art software that has revolutionized our approach to understanding and manipulating the molecular world. We believe these tools are too valuable to keep to ourselves. That’s why we’re committed to open-access principles, offering our groundbreaking software freely to the global scientific community.
Collaboration
Research happens faster when people work together. By joining forces with other innovators, we’re expanding the frontiers of protein design and accelerating the journey toward a healthier, more sustainable world.
We’re proud to be part of a vibrant network of knowledge and innovation, having co-authored scientific papers with over 100 other institutions worldwide. Our trainees have also spread across the globe and now contribute their expertise to over 60 colleges and universities. We see this as a powerful ripple effect, with our commitment to open science enabling the spread of knowledge and fostering innovation in diverse settings.
Shaping Tomorrow
Support our journey to explore the limitless potential of protein design and unlock a world of possibilities for medicine, technology, and sustainability.