Some debate that synthetic organic chemistry strategies have become stale, but Dr. Todd Hyster of Princeton University's Hyster Lab disagrees.

Todd fell in love with organic chemistry early in his education, but it wasn’t until he got turned on to enzyme catalysis that he found his true calling. He’s built a career using engineered enzymes to facilitate chemical transformations that would otherwise not be possible. Specifically, he and his team focus on photo-enzymatic catalysis where they use a combination of light and engineered proteins to drive new chemical transformations.

Join us to learn about his work, the methods involved, and the types of transformations being accomplished, which is beyond enantioselective synthesis, by the way. This stimulating conversation delves into the tactical and philosophical aspects of the synthetic chemistry, enzyme catalysis, and even the realities of academic funding and industry collaboration.

Related episodes:

• Season 3, Ep.2: Making impossible molecules
• Season 2, Ep.3: Rethinking catalysis

Bonus content!

• Access bonus content curated by this episode’s guest by visiting www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast for links to recent publications, podcasts, books, videos and more.
• View the video of this episode on www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast.

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• Request your free Bringing Chemistry to Life t-shirt on our episode website.
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Early in her career, Dr. Jessica Reiner realized that she cared more about ensuring the accuracy of the measurements she was making than making the measurements themselves. This realization, combined with experience in working with PFAS, led to her current role as Research Chemist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Join us to hear an insider’s perspective on the PFAS topic, with a deep dive into the analytical methods used to detect, quantify, and identify PFAS species. Jessica and her team use LC-MS, anion exchange chromatography, and other orthogonal methods in their work and they focus on creating, validating, and maintaining reference materials (RM) and standard reference materials (SRM) that are used to help ensure that PFAS measurements are accurate and comparable with those made in other laboratories around the world. From challenges around defining a PFAS, to creating a stable, ultra-low concentration standard, to detecting ultra-high concentrations PFAS, Jessica provides an ace analytical chemist’s perspective grounded in the metrology of it all.

As always, and in addition to the great science, you’ll get to learn about Jessica’s personal career path, the ups and downs of her work, and hear her advice for career development.

Related episodes:

• Season 4, Ep.2: The father of green chemistry
• Season 2, Ep.7: Fresh urban water
• Season 1, Ep.3: There’s chemistry in the air!

Bonus content!

• Access bonus content curated by this episode’s guest by visiting www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast for links to recent publications, podcasts, books, videos and more.
• View the video of this episode on www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast.

A free thank you gift for our listeners!

• Request your free Bringing Chemistry to Life t-shirt on our episode website.
• Use code 0chemRcks in August, and BCTLisn3R in September.

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Bioconjugation of antibodies to drugs via chemical linkers is how antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) are made. We’re joined by Matt Giese, Senior Scientist at Vector Laboratories, who talks us through the complex chemistry options and biodesign considerations that have to be considered and balanced when making a successful ADC.

How does one build the skillset to work in biodesign of ADCs you might ask? Well, Matt’s career path might not provide a clearcut roadmap like you might hope. That’s because Matt started his career as an auto mechanic, moved into art, went back to auto mechanics, worked as baggage handler and as a construction worker, all before ever finding chemistry. If you think that’s a convoluted path, just wait to hear about his academic and professional work journeys.

You’ll revel in following this journey, and in the lessons and diverse skills learned along the way. Join us to hear it yourself, from who might just be the most interesting man in chemistry!

Related episodes:

• Season 5, Ep.7: The life-altering impact of one chemist’s sabbatical
• Season 2, Ep.1: Chemistry: a modern American dream
• Season 3, Ep.5: On the COVID pill and other process chemistry tales

Bonus content!

• Access bonus content curated by this episode’s guest by visiting www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast for links to recent publications, podcasts, books, videos and more.
• View the video of this episode on www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast.

A free thank you gift for our listeners! 

• Request your free Bringing Chemistry to Life t-shirt on our episode website.
• Use Podcast Code: LabRatsRul3 in July or OchemRcks in August.

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We're diving into an important topic: the representation of women in STEM careers. Despite making up about 50% of the population, women hold only around 34% of STEM positions, with even fewer—approximately 25%—in the chemicals industry. Why is this the case, and what can be done to change it?

Kylie Wittle (Co-Founder & Operations Director of Women in Chemicals) and Amelia Greene (Co-Founder and Executive Director of Women in Chemicals), join us to explore this issue. Kylie and Amelia founded Women in Chemicals (WIC) to create opportunities and empower women in the chemicals industry. Initially driven by their personal experiences, over time, WIC has grown into a global resource supporting women and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within industry companies.

Join us as we explore the history of the chemicals industry, the current state of women's representation, and the ongoing efforts to ensure unbiased opportunities for women. Don't miss this insightful conversation!

Related episodes:

• S4E4 – Women in chemistry: learnings from of the greatest
• S3E9 – Energy harvesting and self-sustainable greenhouses
• S2E10 – Bioorthogonal chemistry, tuberculosis, and making the best of opportunities
• S2E9 – Materials of tomorrow to recycle materials of today
• S4E9 Cate – C.R.E.A.M. – Chemistry rules everything around me

Bonus content!

• Access bonus content curated by this episode’s guest by visiting www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast for links to recent publications, podcasts, books, videos and more.
• View the video of this episode on www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast.

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• Request your free Bringing Chemistry to Life t-shirt on our episode website.
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Strap in for this charged up conversation. Battery chemistry is a topic we’ve touched on before and is one we’ve committed to exploring further in this season. This conversation with Dr. Heather Platt, Co-Founder and Chief Battery Scientist at Platt Engineering Solutions, takes us on an expert-guided tour of battery chemistry.

This conversation quickly moves us through battery chemistries like lead/acid and metal sulfides and into more modern mixed metal oxides with reversible chemistry. Our discussion of the pros and cons of various chemistries, including lithium-ion, touches on complex considerations including power density, voltage, global material sourcing, safety, and more. Manufacturing methods and the micro and nanostructures of battery materials are also discussed.

If you’re excited about the future of the battery field you’ll be sure to enjoy Heather’s views on up-and-coming battery technologies, including solid state and sodium-ion chemistries.

Related episodes:

• Season 5, Ep. 1: Batteries unplugged: past, present and the electrifying future

Bonus content:

• Access bonus content curated by this episode’s guest by visiting www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast for links to recent publications, podcasts, books, videos and more.
• View the video of this episode on www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast.

A free thank you gift for our listeners!

• Request your free Bringing Chemistry to Life t-shirt on our episode website.
• Use Podcast Code: laBcheM in June orLabRatsRul3 in July

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Join our host, Dr. Paolo Braiuca, as he chats with some of the most fascinating scientists around the globe doing trailblazing work in a variety of fields and industries. Learn about their personal stories, notable contributions, and the enthusiasm for discovery that unites them all. This is a podcast for anyone who wants to learn more about science and the brilliant minds advancing it.

Now in the fifth season of our podcast, in store are more inspiring conversations about trending topics with influential guest that chemists, students and science enthusiasts will undoubtedly find captivating. In the mid-season checkpoint, Paolo reflects on the evolution of the series and gives a glimpse of what’s to come. Diversity remains a priority but, there will be deeper looks at topics like battery technology, PFAS chemistry, chemical biology, and sustainability in organic chemistry.

If you’re new to the podcast, now is the time to catch up and get ready for what’s to come. If you’re a loyal listener, Paolo has a special message for you and a humble request Regardless, we’re happy you found us and we’re looking forward to sharing more with you soon!

Bonus content!

• Access bonus content curated by each episode’s guest by visiting www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast for links to recent publications, podcasts, books, videos and more.
• View the video of each episode on www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast.

A free thank you gift for our listeners!

• Visit the episode website and request your free Bringing Chemistry to Life t-shirt.
• Use Podcast Code: Bi0catalys1sin June or LabRatsRul3 in July

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Anyone that’s followed this podcast will know that Paolo’s final question to each guest is, “What advice would you like to share with younger scientists just starting their career?” Here, our guest, Dr. Monte Helm, professor of chemistry at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, shares advice that he clearly lives by, which is, “… be flexible ii your career and follow what you think you’ll be passionate about.”

While Monte’s academic training is in inorganic chemistry, he’ll tell you he’s always cared about teaching as much as the subject itself. Join us to meet this lifelong learner and teacher, that’s parlayed his passion for phosphine chemistry and teaching into roles as a postdoctoral researcher, a professor at an undergraduate research institution, a deputy director at a national laboratory, and now a teaching-focused role at a community college. A set of roles that definitely demonstrates flexibility!

In addition to learning about the fundamental research Dr. Helm has done in crown-phosphine and phosphine ligand synthesis, we learn about his unconventional career path and the key role that mentors and sabbatical opportunities played in its development. He talks openly about the joys and challenges of each role, about his motivations for each career change, and his current love of teaching at a community college where he’s able to focus solely on teaching to students that may not have had positive primary educational experiences in science.

Related episodes:

• Season 2, Ep. 3: Rethinking Catalysis
• Season 2, Ep. 6: The charm of the forgotten elements
• Season 3, Ep. 3: Imagination and the chemistry of the things around us
• Season 5, Ep. 4: Shining a photochemical light on undergraduate research

Bonus content!

• Access bonus content curated by this episode’s guest by visiting www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast for links to recent publications, podcasts, books, videos and more.
• View the video of this episode on www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast.

A free thank you gift for our listeners!

• Visit the episode website and request your free Bringing Chemistry to Life t-shirt.
• Use Podcast Code: laBcheM in March or sc13nc3 in April

We read every email so please share your questions and feedback with us!

• Email helloBCTL@thermofisher.com

Most of us don’t grow up across the street from a chemistry building or know from an early age that we want to be a scientist, but Alan Dyke, VP of Business Development for ProChem, Inc. (CTO of Boulder Scientific Company at the time of the interview) did and became a chemist. Dr. Alan Dyke, former colleague, and friend of Paolo’s, shares his career path and discusses the history and current state of the field of catalysis.

With a father that taught university-level chemistry, and a brother in the field, it may not be surprising that Alan Dyke became a chemist, but it is surprising is that he’s considered to be the outcast of the family for choosing a commercial career instead of taking an academic route. But, as he’ll passionately reveal, there are upsides to choosing a non-academic career.

Join us for a wonderful conversation where Paolo and Alan recount their shared history and the evolution of the catalysis field over recent decades. They discuss the evolution of homogeneous cross-coupling, biocatalysis, metathesis, and metallocene chemistry. Application of catalysis to fields as varied as pharmaceuticals and polymers is discussed, along with sustainability and other trends and dynamics in the field. Overcome your activation energy and join us!

Related episodes: 

• Season 1, Ep.2: Reinventing plastics, one reaction at a time
• Season 2, Ep.1: Chemistry: a modern American dream
• Season 2, Ep.6: The charm of the forgotten elements

Bonus content!

• Access bonus content curated by this episode’s guest by visiting www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast for links to recent publications, podcasts, books, videos and more.
• View the video of this episode on www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast.

A free thank you gift for our listeners! 

• Visit the episode website and request your free Bringing Chemistry to Life t-shirt.
• Use Podcast Code:  laBcheM in March or sc13nc3 in April

We read every email so please share your questions and feedback with us!

• Email helloBCTL@thermofisher.com