Burton G. Christensen (1930-2023)

CCB mourns the passing of alumnus Burton G. Christensen (A.M. '1954, Ph.D. '1956) who died on June 21 at the age of 93. As a chemist at Merck, Christensen played a transformational role in the development of modern pharmaceuticals. Christensen was responsible for numerous important scientific discoveries and advancements, including the development of life-saving antibiotics that have been used across the planet. 

In 1988, Christensen requested that his Directors' Scientific Award for his contributions to the development of the antibiotic 'Primaxim' be given to CCB to establish the Christensen Prize for Outstanding Research Achievement, which awards grants to graduate students concentrating in the area of organic chemistry to enable them to attend prestigious scientific meetings.

Christensen was memorialized by his family, which is reprinted below:

 

 

In Loving Memory of Burton Grant Christensen

April 8, 1930 - June 21, 2023

It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of Burton Grant Christensen, a brilliant chemist whose contributions to the field of pharmaceuticals have left an indelible mark in the field of modern medicine.  Burton passed away on June 21, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of scientific excellence and a profound impact on the lives of many.

Born on April 8, 1930 in Waterloo, Iowa, Burt's passion for chemistry blossomed at an early age—so much so that he read every science book in the entire Waterloo Library during his early school years.  While other children played with toys, Burt had a chemistry set and created a laboratory in the basement of his parent’s home.  He continued to pursue his love for the sciences as he grew older, obtaining his Bachelor of Science. degree from Iowa State University in 1952 and then ultimately obtaining his master’s and Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Harvard in 1956.  Burt's insatiable curiosity and dedication to his craft led him to join the esteemed Chemistry team at Merck once graduating from college, where he embarked on a remarkable career that spanned decades before his retirement in 1992 as Senior Vice President of their research labs.

During his 36-year tenure at Merck, Burt played a pivotal role in numerous groundbreaking discoveries and innovations.  His expertise in organic synthesis and drug development contributed to the creation of life-saving antibiotics that have improved the health and well-being of countless individuals worldwide.  His commitment to scientific rigor and unwavering pursuit of excellence garnered him respect and admiration from colleagues and peers alike.

Burt was not only an exceptional chemist but also a mentor and collaborator.  He generously shared his knowledge and expertise, nurturing the talents of younger scientists and guiding them towards their own success.  His passion for mentoring extended beyond the laboratory, as he actively engaged in scientific forums, conferences, and workshops, inspiring the next generation of chemists to push the boundaries of scientific knowledge.

Burt's dedication to his work, his colleagues, and the scientific community at large continued after his ‘retirement’.  He was a highly sought after consultant and co-founded Advanced Medicine, Inc where came out of retirement to assume a full-time position as Executive Vice President, Research.  He was employee #1 at the San Francisco based firm now known as Theravance, where he led the development and design of many antibiotics. He went on to consult for several other notable firms until a second retirement at age 80.  

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Burt was a man of many interests. He had a deep appreciation for art, literature, music, and astronomy in his spare time.  He found beauty in the world around him and captured moments from his extensive travels around the world through photography.  Burton's adventurous spirit and intellectual curiosity were integral parts of his character, shaping him into a worldly, well-educated, and well-rounded individual that everyone around him was honored to know.

Burt is survived by his wife Judy and daughter Kacey (Rich) Sharrett and 4 grandchildren; He was preceded in death by his daughter Marla.  His family and those close to him will forever cherish his memory and the remarkable life he led.  While we mourn his passing, let us also celebrate the extraordinary life he lived, and the profound impact he had on our world.

 

Professional Contributions:

  • Synthesis of Ivermectin (the world’s largest selling animal health product)
  • Co-inventor of 7-a-Methoxy Cephalosporin
  • Discovered Fosmomysin
  • Discovered Imipenem
  • Design of Telavancin
  • Consultant to Amgen and Genetics Institute
  • Scientific Advisory Board member of Microcide Pharmaceuticals, Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Neurocrine Biosciences, Pharmocopeia, and Aurora Biosciences
  • Co-founder of Advanced Medicine, Inc.
  • Consultant for Theravance, Inc., Achaogen, PharmacoFore, Vitae, Ensemble Discovery, and Genentech
  • Served as interim CSO of Infinity Pharmaceuticals

 

Awards and Positions:

  • Sixth Cecil L. Brown Lecturer, North Jersey American Chemical Society
  • Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award (1985)
  • Merck Directors Award (1987)
  • Chemical Pioneer Award (1989), American Institute of Chemists
  • Citation of Merit Award (2007), Iowa State University
  • Industrial Advisory Committee, Rutgers University
  • Alumni Career Advisor, Harvard University
  • Adjunct Professor of Chemistry, Stevens Institute of Technology
  • Editorial Board, Journal of Antibiotics
  • Honorary Advisory Board, Synlett
  • Chemistry Advisory Board, Carnegie Mellon University
  • Corporate Visiting Committee, Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • International Advisory Committee, 9th International Conference on Organic Synthesis, Montreal (1992)
  • Board of Overseers Visiting Committee, Department of Chemistry, Harvard University
  • Industrial Advisory Committee, Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University
  • Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • Medicinal Chemistry Hall of Fame Member, American Chemical Society (2007)
  • Guest Speaker, Department of Chemistry Life Skills Lecturer Series, Iowa State University
  • Plenary Lecturer at over 50 International Symposia and author of 79 scientific papers and 181 issued U.S. patents

 

 

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