Christopher Mathews Papers, 1962-2010

Dr. Christopher K. Mathews is internationally recognized as a major contributor to the field of biochemistry with an emphasis on enzymology, virology, and genetics. Mathews has received significant attention for his work with nucleotide and coenzyme metabolism, DNA synthesis and replication, and nucleic acid enzymology.

Mathews began his academic career in the Pacific Northwest. Following his graduation from an Olympia, Washington high school, he attended Reed College in Portland, Oregon, graduating with a degree in chemistry. From there he earned his doctorate in biochemistry at the University of Washington and then took a postdoctoral fellowship at the U.S. Public Health Service where, with the help of his mentor Seymour S. Cohen, he established himself as an independent researcher. In 1963 Mathews accepted a position as Assistant Professor of Biology at Yale University. In 1967 he moved to the University of Arizona where he attained a full professorship in the Biochemistry Department of the College of Medicine.

In 1978 Mathews returned to the northwest as professor and chairman of the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at Oregon State University. There, he facilitated the growth of the department, continued his own research into enzymatic reactions, published several books on biochemistry (including a highly successful textbook), and participated in more than two dozen committees, all while continuing to teach regularly and provide direct mentorship for graduate and postdoctoral students. In 2002, after twenty-four years of service to OSU, Mathews retired from his position as Department Chairman and was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus, a change which allowed him to renew his efforts in the laboratory. Dr. Mathews continues to study nucleic acid enzymology today as Professor Emeritus of the OSU Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.