Maricel Torrent
Maricel Torrent is a seasoned drug discovery expert and Principal Research Scientist II in Computational Drug Discovery at AbbVie, based in North Chicago, Illinois. With over two decades of experience in pharmaceutical research, she specializes in Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD), leveraging both structure- and ligand-based methods, as well as data mining and analysis to discover innovative medicines. Her passion for science is driven by a combination of creativity, curiosity, and continuous learning, which she channels into collaborative efforts that accelerate the development of vital treatments for patients around the world.
<BR><BR>
Maricel's career spans several top pharmaceutical companies, including Merck, Abbott, and AbbVie, where she has contributed to numerous drug discovery programs across multiple therapeutic areas. She holds a Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry from Universitat de Girona and completed her postdoctoral research at Emory University. In addition to her scientific contributions—co-authoring over 90 peer-reviewed publications, patents, and book chapters—Maricel is an inspiring leader, a sought-after mentor, and an international speaker. Outside the virtual lab, she brings the same discipline and focus to her interests in fitness and wellness, holding certifications by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), Yoga Alliance and other international institutions, as a group fitness instructor and master yoga teacher. She has been leading fitness classes since 2004. When not in the virtual lab or teaching at the gym, Maricel can be found volunteering in one of the local charities, where she serves as speaker and bilingual translator throughout the year. As the eldest of four sibling, Maricel continues to embody her role of big sister, and periodically visits her parents and family in her natal Spain. Maricel's holistic approach to science and life continues to inspire her colleagues and influence the broader scientific community.
• CPR and AED
• Group Exercise Instructor
• Certified Group Fitness Instructor
• RYT-200 and RYT-500 Registered Yoga Teacher
• LaSalle Girona
• Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona- B.S.
• Universitat de Girona- Ph.D.
• Emory University
• American Chemical Society, COMP division
What do you attribute your success to?
To my family and to the core values I was raised with.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Be bold, dream big, help others, leave a legacy.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Same advice as I received. Be bold, dream big, help others, leave a legacy.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities we have right now in the field of computational drug discovery is to integrate artificial intelligence into the fabric of our in silico work in a way that elevates and accelerates what we have been already doing up to now using purely physics-based approaches. Better and faster predictions, ultimately leading to cures.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Life-long learning! It starts with endless curiosity and a sense of awe. Every person you meet knows something that you don't. Exploring new subjects and connecting them in novel ways is truly fascinating. The most transformational innovation lives at the intersection of multiple disciplines. The more you learn, the more you realize how much more there is to discover and grow, which is highly motivational. As they say "the future belongs to the learner - the learned ones will quickly find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists". Life is truly a gift!
Locations
AbbVie
Chicago, IL 60064