Abba Leffler

Abba E. Leffler, Ph.D., has forged a professional path marked by curiosity, precision, and a steadfast commitment to advancing medical discovery. As a Senior Principal Scientist in the therapeutics group at Schrödinger, he focuses on the early phases of drug development, where research ideas begin to evolve into potential medicines. His work relies on the integration of computational models with biological data to identify compounds that may lead to new treatments. Schrödinger’s physics-based computational platform enables scientists in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and materials science to simulate and analyze molecular behavior in detail, helping to streamline research that once depended heavily on slower experimental processes. At Schrödinger, Dr. Leffler’s work sits at the intersection of chemistry, computation, and biology. He applies artificial intelligence and computational chemistry to accelerate drug discovery, using simulations and modeling to predict molecular interactions and refine candidate compounds. Through nearly a decade of experience at the company, he has continued to strengthen methods that connect data-driven science with real-world therapeutic needs. His research contributes not only to Schrödinger’s mission but also to the broader goal of enhancing the scientific community's approach to complex medical challenges. Dr. Leffler completed his AB in Chemistry at Princeton University, where he also earned a Certificate in Applied Mathematics. During his undergraduate years, he received the Robert Thornton McKay Prize in physical chemistry, an award that recognizes academic excellence and dedication to scientific study. He later earned his doctorate in Neuroscience from the NYU School of Medicine, supported by a National Institutes of Health training grant. His education combined analytical problem-solving with a deep understanding of biological systems, shaping his interdisciplinary research approach.