Department of Biochemistry

D. Fernando Estrada, PhD, is an associate professor of biochemistry who focuses on the structural regulation of mitochondrial cytochrome P450 enzymes. In his research, he uses a combination of biochemical and biophysical tools to understand how enzymes from the cytochrome P450 class function on a molecular level, contributing to the design of novel therapeutics for the treatment of vitamin D deficiencies. In 2025, Estrada received the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Richard Okita Early Career Award in Drug Metabolism and Disposition in recognition of his innovative research and pioneering use of 19F-NMR spectroscopy techniques to provide new insights into cytochrome P450 redox partner structural dynamics, substrate binding, metabolism and allosteric enzyme inhibition.