Biochemistry professor Ann West’s love for science started in a small suburb of New York when her father gave her a chemistry set.

“There was a natural curiosity for how things work, and you’re interested in answering those questions,” she said.

She is now an accomplished molecular biologist. Shortly after OU hired her in 1996, she became the chemistry department’s first woman to receive a full professorship.

West currently is studying proteins in the signaling pathways of cells that will be used to design drugs of the future, and is the first person to see the structure of a specific type of protein at an atomic level.

“You can physically imagine what this very small molecule is in its atomic glory,” she said. “To be able to be the first one to see it in all history was amazing.”

West’s fascination with the structure of proteins consumes much of her research, she said.

“Proteins are the workhouse of the cell, and there are many types that do many things,” West said. “To be able to dissect how they operate and function, that’s the most intriguing thing.”

Studying the structure of proteins is often a prerequisite to learning how to combat cancer, she said.

“Even though we’re not studying cancer specifically, learning how proteins turn and off is extrapolatable to cancer research,” West said.

George Richter-Addo, West’s friend and colleague, said the chemistry department is very fortunate to have her.

“She’s always available for someone seeking help for schoolwork,” he said. “She’s very interested in how students could be trained in the future.”

Colleague Paul Cook has been friends with West since in 1996, and said he admires what she brings to the department.

“She’s honest, she’s intelligent, her papers and research projects are always well-conceived, she’s open, fun-loving,” Cook said.

Richard Cichewicz has worked with West for four years, and said she knows what direction to take her teaching and research.

“She is always able and willing to make time help out fellow colleagues in need,” he said. “It would be wonderful if there were more people like her.”

West said one of her favorite aspects about being a molecular biologist at OU is the interaction with her peers.

“I love the hands-on aspect, and I love the mentoring aspect, to be able to learn from other people more senior than you,” West said. “Then when you’re more experienced, you mentor others.”

West said she wishes there was a greater connection between faculty and students.

“I think we have a lot more in common then we realize,” West said. “You only get to know that if you talk to your professors, if you get to know them.”