The UW School of Pharmacy welcomes Franck Kalume, PhD, as co-director of its Center for Epilepsy Drug Discovery (CEDD), where he will join Professor H. Steve White, PhD, in advancing research toward new treatments for epilepsy.
Kalume, an associate professor of neurological surgery at the UW School of Medicine and principal investigator at Seattle Children’s Research Institute, joins UW School of Pharmacy Professor H. Steve White, PhD, in leading the Center. Together, they will help strengthen collaborations across disciplines, connecting fundamental discoveries about epilepsy with research aimed at developing safer, more effective therapies.
Kalume’s research has contributed to a deeper understanding of Dravet syndrome, a severe form of genetic epilepsy, and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). His work has helped explain how mutations in the SCN1A gene disrupt the brain’s electrical signaling and why certain antiseizure medications can worsen seizures in children with Dravet syndrome.
These findings have helped inform new approaches to epilepsy treatment. More recently, Kalume has focused on gene replacement strategies and precision therapies that seek to address the underlying biological causes of severe genetic epilepsies.
His research reflects the central mission of CEDD: bringing together expertise in neuroscience, pharmacology and drug discovery to translate scientific understanding into potential new treatments.
Beyond his research, Kalume brings an extensive record of collaboration, teaching and mentorship. He serves as associate director of postdoctoral training programs for early career basic science and clinician scientists at Seattle Children’s and has mentored students, researchers and early-career faculty throughout his career.
He also has longstanding ties to the UW School of Pharmacy, including serving as a guest lecturer in Advances in the Diagnosis, Treatment and Management of Epilepsy, where he helps students connect advances in epilepsy research with their implications for patient care.
As co-director, Kalume will help expand CEDD’s interdisciplinary research partnerships, support the development of emerging scientists and advance its work toward improved treatment options for people affected by epilepsy.