Joe Deweese received his BS in Biochemistry from Freed-Hardeman University and his PhD in Biochemistry from Vanderbilt University. For twelve years, he taught in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Lipscomb University. His teaching included biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, anticancer pharmacology, and cellular physiology. Deweese is starting a new role in August, 2021 as Professor of Biochemistry and Director of Undergraduate Research at Freed-Hardeman University. His research interests include characterizing the mechanism of anti-cancer agents, especially those that target topoisomerase II. Recent studies from his lab have focused on etoposide metabolites, thiosemicarbazones, and natural product derivatives. Currently, his work is focused on examining the differences between the two versions of topoisomerase II found in humans. He and his wife, Liz, have two children.