Alumni Spotlight: Dr. David Giljohann

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Jun 2 2017 8:40 AM

Dr. David Giljohann is a 1999 graduate of Brookfield East and is the founding scientist and current CEO of Exicure that works on building targeted genetic medicines to impact human health.

Brookfield East Class of 1999

Dr. David Giljohann is a 1999 graduate of Brookfield East and is the founding scientist and current CEO of Exicure that works on building targeted genetic medicines to impact human health.

Before becoming a proud Spartan, Dr. Giljohann attended Tonawanda Elementary and Pilgrim Park Middle School. "At each stage of my education, Elmbrook provided me the opportunity to participate in a diverse set of activities- providing the basis for a well-rounded education," he stated. "The teachers and administrators at Elmbrook have shown they cared- not only while I was a student in the district, but also with relationships and friendships that still continue today."

During his time at East, David actively participated in a number of clubs, sports and activities, including Swim Team, Interact Club, and Science Club. David's gratitude for the influence of his teachers is tremendous- highlighting Science teacher Sue Miller, Chemistry teacher Marina Kane, Biology teacher Dick Wood, Health instructor Kathy Drucke, and math instructor Mike Rose for their previous and continued importance in his lifelong learning journey. "All of these teachers were a caring and supportive network in and out of the classroom, and I am very grateful for the genuine interest and energy they have given me over the years," thanked Giljohann.

Following his BEHS graduation, David continued on to Northwestern University to complete his undergraduate degree in Biology with a Spanish minor. He then subsequently stayed at the university and earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry in 2009.

After completing his formal education, Dr. Giljohann worked with his Ph.D. advisor to license a technology entitled Spherical Nucleic Acid (SNA) and started up several companies to foster the commercialization of the technology. David became the founding scientist and the current CEO of Exicure in Chicago, where his team is currently translating their work with SNA to clinical trials.

"We build nanoparticles called Spherical Nucleic Acids that are DNA and RNA targeted to disease genes- they look like koosh balls made out of nucleic acids," said Dr. Giljohann. "Quite incredibly, these nano-scale particles can be designed to enter cells and tissues, and from there can turn off mis-regulated disease genes."

Dr. Giljohann has been recognized for his work with a Materials Research Society Gold Award, Baxter Innovation Award, Rappaport Award for Research Excellence, NSEC Outstanding Research Award, and as a finalist in the National Inventors Hall of Fame Collegiate Inventors Competition. He was also named to the Analytical Scientist's "Top 40 Under 40 Power List" in 2014. Dr. Giljohann has contributed to over 25 manuscripts and over 100 patents and applications.

Today David's family still lives in Elm Grove, and he enjoys coming home from Chicago to frequently visit.

You can see Dr. Giljohann's SNA in action in this video, and discover more about Exicure here and at exicuretx.com.

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Barbara Consigny & Dan Buran Named Alumni Excellence Award Winners

Apr 17 2024

Brookfield Central graduate Barbara (Schomann) Consigny (‘58) and Brookfield East graduate Dan Buran (‘64) are the recipients of Elmbrook’s 2024 Alumni Excellence Awards. The awards are being presented to Barbara and Dan who were members of the first graduating classes of their respective schools, and have continued to give back to the Elmbrook community through teaching and their involvement with programs. These awards will be presented as part of the Engaged in Excellence Awards ceremony on Monday, May 6, which will be held at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center and available on the Elmbrook Schools YouTube channel.

Barbara Consigny is a Lancer graduate who was a member of the first graduating class from Brookfield Central in 1958 (then named Brookfield High School). Later in life, Consigny taught Kindergarten at Brookfield Elementary School for 17 years and was named the 1997 Elmbrook Employee of the Year! She retired in 2004 after a fulfilling career, and has kept busy through travel and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Click here to read her full Alumni Spotlight.

Dan Buran is a Spartan alum who was a member of the first graduating class of Brookfield East in 1964. Dan and his wife (and high school sweetheart) Sue have lived in the Elmbrook community all their lives and continue to support the District through active involvement in their grandchildrens’ interests in robotics and sports. Dan and Sue are grateful to Elmbrook for helping three generations of their family succeed. Click here to read his full Alumni Spotlight.

The School District is proud of all of our alumni and their significant impacts on the Elmbrook community and beyond. Congratulations to Barbara and Dan for being named 2024 Alumni Excellence Award Winners! You can find more information about this year's finalists in other categories and show details at elmbrookschools.org/eie.