Victor J. Hruby, Regents’ Professor Emeritus at the University of Arizona, stands among the most influential figures in modern peptide science. Over a career spanning more than half a century, he has shaped peptide chemistry, biology, and drug design through groundbreaking discoveries, tireless advocacy, and a deep commitment to mentoring future generations.
Born in Valley City, North Dakota, in 1938, Hruby’s early promise in both academics and athletics foreshadowed the discipline and energy that would define his career. He completed his B.S. in Mathematics and Chemistry at the University of North Dakota in 1960, followed by an M.S. in organic chemistry. At Cornell University, under Professor A.T. Blomquist, he earned a Ph.D. in 1965, and then trained as a postdoctoral fellow with Nobel Laureate Vincent du Vigneaud in peptide chemistry. This experience launched a lifelong passion for exploring the structural and functional dimensions of biologically active peptides.
Hruby joined the University of Arizona in 1968 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a full professor in 1977 and later a Regents’ Professor in 1989, the institution’s highest faculty honor. His research transformed the understanding and application of peptide hormones and neurotransmitters, particularly in areas such as diabetes, cancer, obesity, pigmentation, sexual function, and chronic pain. Through innovative use of high-field NMR spectroscopy, solid-phase peptide synthesis, and computational modeling, he pioneered methods for designing receptor-specific peptide agonists and antagonists. These approaches produced molecules of enduring impact, including melanotropin analogues MT-I and MT-II, the δ-opioid agonist DPDPE, and the influential “one-bead, one-peptide” library technology that accelerated combinatorial chemistry.
Alongside his scientific achievements, Hruby played a defining role in shaping the peptide research community. He chaired the 8th American Peptide Symposium in 1983, became the founding President of the American Peptide Society in 1990, and co-founded Selectide Corporation, which advanced peptide-based therapeutics. From 1988 to 2005 he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Peptide Research, guiding the field’s premier publication during a period of rapid expansion. His advocacy extended to national service as well, with extensive participation in NIH and NSF grant review panels. Recognition for his contributions includes the Merrifield Award of the American Peptide Society (1993), the Ralph F. Hirschmann Award of the American Chemical Society (2002), fellowships from Guggenheim and Fulbright, and honorary doctorates abroad.
Hruby’s impact, however, extends beyond his prolific output—more than a thousand publications and countless invited lectures—to the generations of students, postdoctoral fellows, and colleagues he mentored. His laboratory became known not only for its scientific rigor, but also for its spirit of collaboration, creativity, and optimism. Many of his trainees went on to become leaders in academia and industry, carrying forward his vision of peptide science as a field defined by innovation and cooperation.
Through sabbaticals at NIH, Harvard, and Caltech, Hruby continued to broaden his perspective, integrating new tools and methods into his research program. His scientific philosophy has always been marked by an openness to exploration and a belief in the transformative power of collaboration. As he remarked at an APS symposium in 1999:
“I cannot imagine a more exciting time to be in peptide science. The challenges and opportunities are enormous… We should move forward with tremendous enthusiasm and confidence in our field and the central role we can play in the science of the new millennium.”
Today, Victor Hruby is celebrated not only as a pioneer of peptide science, but also as a mentor, leader, and friend whose boundless energy and insight continue to inspire the global community. The symposium in his honor reflects both gratitude for his achievements and confidence in the enduring influence of his legacy.
