Daniel Wacker, PhD
About Me
Dr. Wacker is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacological Sciences and in the Department of Neuroscience. Dr. Wacker is a structural pharmacologist who specializes in determination of x-ray and cryoEM structures of membrane protein drug targets such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and solute carrier transporters (SLCs). He further characterizes the actions of both clinical and illicit drugs using in vitro assays and structural methods, and he develops novel tool compounds and drugs for a variety of pathologies. He has determined structures of opioid, serotonin, dopamine and other receptors, and a major focus of his research has been to develop a molecular understanding of psychoactive drugs. In this context he has published several studies related to the actions of psychedelic drugs, including structures of LSD-bound serotonin receptors.
Language
English
Position
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR | Pharmacological Sciences, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
Research Topics
Addiction, Alzheimer's Disease, Drug Design and Discovery, Membrane Proteins/Channels, Neuroscience, Neurotransmitters, Opioid/Cannabinoid Receptors, Pain, Receptors, Signal Transduction, Structural Biology, Transporters
Multi-Disciplinary Training Areas
Disease Mechanisms and Therapeutics (DMT), Neuroscience [NEU]
Education
BSc, MSc, University of Munich
PhD, The Scripps Research Institute
Postdoc, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Industry Relationships
Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology companies, and other outside entities to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their outside financial relationships.
Below are financial relationships with industry reported by Dr. Wacker during 2025 and/or 2026. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.
Consulting or Other Professional Services Examples include, but are not limited to, committee participation, data safety monitoring board (DSMB) membership
- Haug Partners
- FIVE Discovery Incorporated
Mount Sinai’s faculty policies relating to faculty collaboration with industry are posted on our website. Patients may wish to ask their physician about the activities they perform for companies.