Dr. Vivian Hook

Professor

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Biography

Vivian Hook is a distinguished professor at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, where she leads the Hook Laboratory focused on identifying peptide protease neurochemical mechanisms for new drug target strategies related to brain disorders. Her research addresses conditions such as Alzheimer's, Huntington's disease, other neurodegenerative diseases, traumatic brain injuries, and chronic pain. The lab applies neurotransmitter profiling, peptidomics, metabolomics, and mass spectrometry to explore neurochemical drug target strategies. Furthermore, her work in drug discovery emphasizes evaluating marine natural products and clinical drug molecules to develop new therapeutics.

Research Interests

Peptide Protease Mechanisms Neurochemical Drug Targets Alzheimer's Disease Huntington's Disease Neurodegenerative Diseases Traumatic Brain Injury Chronic Pain Mental Health Conditions Pharmacology Drug Discovery

Experience

Distinguished Professor

— Present

Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences • La Jolla, CA

Leading research on neurochemical mechanisms and drug development for brain disorders.

Awards

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Pharmacology Research Fellow (PRAT)

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Burroughs Wellcome Scientist Award

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NARSAD Distinguished Investigator Award

Requirements for University of California, San Diego

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Total
Required:85
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Duolingo
Overall Score
Required:120
Overall
Required:120
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in physical, biological, or earth sciences, mathematics, or engineering. Differential and integral calculus. One year of calculus-based physics with laboratory. One year of chemistry with laboratory.
Application Checklist
  • Statement of Purpose (max 2 pages)
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Application fee ($135 domestic / $155 international)
Specialization Notes

Administered by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Curricular groups include Climate-Ocean-Atmosphere (COAP), Geosciences (GEO), and Ocean Biosciences (OBP).