Randall Millikan

Biography

Dr. Randall E. Millikan is an adjunct professor of organic chemistry at Wheaton College and a physician–scientist with extensive experience in synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and clinical oncology. He teaches advanced undergraduate courses including Synthesis and Analysis and Medicinal Chemistry.

Dr. Millikan received his Ph.D. in Synthetic Organic Chemistry from the University of Chicago under the direction of Philip Eaton, followed by postdoctoral training with E. J. Corey at Harvard University. He subsequently earned his M.D. in a medical school track for PhD scientists at the University of Miami. He then completed clinical training in internal medicine and medical oncology at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Millikan served for nearly two decades on the faculty of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he rose to the rank of Associate Professor in the Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology. His research has spanned fluorogenic probes, protease inhibitors, medicinal chemistry, and the design and execution of clinical trials in oncology. He has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed research articles and invited publications and has served on editorial boards for leading cancer journals.

Education

University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Ph.D., Synthetic Organic Chemistry, 1985
Thesis: Cubanes as Starting Materials

Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Postdoctoral Fellow, Synthetic Organic Chemistry, 1986

University of Miami, Miami, FL
M.D., 1988

Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, Rochester, MN
Certification, Internal Medicine, 1990

Mayo Clinic & Foundation, Rochester, MN
Certification, Medical Oncology, 1994

Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL
B.S., Chemistry (ACS Track), 1980

Areas of Expertise

Synthetic Organic Chemistry
Medicinal Chemistry
Organic Synthesis and Analysis
Cancer Pharmacology
Clinical Trial Design
Hematology and Oncology

Professional Affiliations

American College of Physicians
American Society of Clinical Oncology

Research

Dr. Millikan’s research career bridges chemistry and medicine, with contributions in synthetic methodology, medicinal chemistry, and translational cancer research. His laboratory and clinical work has included the development of protease inhibitors, fluorogenic probes, bone-targeted therapeutics, and the design and analysis of Phase I–III oncology clinical trials. His scholarship has had broad impact, with over 9,000 citations and an h-index of 49.

Professional Affiliations

Synthesis and Analysis (CHEM 485)
Medicinal Chemistry (CHEM 441)

Selected Publications

Teacher of the Year, University of Minnesota Duluth Medical School, 2018
National Cancer Institute caBIG Teamwork Award, 2008
American Cancer Society Career Development Award, 1995
Keck Fellow in Biophysical Sciences, 1993

Selected Publications

Millikan, R. E.; Wen, S.; Pagliaro, L. C.; et al. Phase III Trial of Androgen Ablation with or without Chemotherapy for Advanced Prostate Cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2008.
Pasqualini, R.; Millikan, R. E.; et al. Targeting the Interleukin-11 Receptor Alpha in Metastatic Prostate Cancer. Cancer, 2015.
Siefker-Radtke, A. O.; Millikan, R. E.; et al. Phase II Clinical Trial of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Small-Cell Urothelial Cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2009.
Eaton, P. E.; Millikan, R. E. An Improved Preparation of 9-Oxabicyclo[3.3.1]nona-2,6-diene. Synthesis, 1990.
Thall PF, Millikan RE, Mueller P, Lee SJ. Dose-finding with two agents in Phase I oncology trials. Biometrics. 2003;59(3):487-96