Join us for a conversation with Yining Ji Chen, recipient of the 2025 ACS Rising Star Award, on how mechanistic insight powers innovation in pharmaceutical process research. We dive into her career journey and standout projects—from Pd-catalyzed C–N coupling for HCV therapy to dynamic phosphorylation in nucleotide synthesis—plus her creation of LED‑NMR for real-time photochemical reaction monitoring. Hear how deep mechanistic understanding drives robustness and safety, why she moved to the Data‑Rich Measurements group, and which emerging analytical technologies excite her most. A celebration of scientific rigor shaping efficient, reliable pharma processes!

Read some of the papers we discussed today:

A multifunctional catalyst that stereoselectively assembles prodrugs - Science

A rational pre-catalyst design for bis-phosphine mono-oxide palladium catalyzed reactions - Chem Sci

LED-Illuminated NMR Spectroscopy: A Practical Tool forMechanistic Studies of Photochemical Reactions - ChemPhotoChem

From at-line to online NMR: coupling probe-based autosampler with benchtop NMR - Reaction Chemistry and Engineering

Follow the Pharm to Table podcast on X - ⁠⁠⁠⁠@PharmtoTablePod

⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pharm-to-table⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Dani and LC welcome Jeff Moore, recipient of the 2025 ACS Affordable Green Chemistry Award, to discuss his pioneering work in biocatalysis at Merck. The conversation explores the evolution (pun intended) of biocatalytic processes in pharmaceutical manufacturing, highlighting key milestones such as the adoption of transaminases and imine reductases, and their impact on drug synthesis and sustainability. Jeff shares stories from his career, including how being 'lazy' when doing science can lead to major innovations and the practical benefits of enzyme-driven chemistry. He even leaves us with insights into the future frontiers of biocatalysis, from cascade reactions to microfluidics.

Read some of the papers we discussed today:

Convergent Kilogram-Scale Synthesis of Dual Orexin Receptor Antagonist - Organic Letters

Biocatalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Chiral Amines from Ketones Applied to Sitagliptin Manufacture - Science

Enabling Biocatalysis by High-Throughput Protein Engineering Using Droplet Microfluidics Coupled to Mass Spectrometry - ACS Omega

Follow the Pharm to Table podcast on X - ⁠⁠⁠⁠@PharmtoTablePod

⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pharm-to-table⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Dani and LC interview Dr. Shane Krska, recipient of the ACS Arthur C. Cope Award, and Dr. Petr Vachal, recipient of the ACS Earle B. Barnes Award for Leadership in Chemical Research Management. Shane shares his pioneering work in catalytic methods and high-throughput experimentation (HTE) for drug discovery, while Petr discusses his leadership role driving innovation at Merck. They reflect on their career journeys from graduate school to industry, emphasizing personal growth and the importance on taking on diverse roles. We wrap it up by asking Shane and Petr what has made them the most proud over their 20+ year careers - which spans from innovations in direct-to-biology for accelerating design-make-test to advancing peptides as a modality of the future!

Read the papers we discussed today:

The Catalysis Laboratory at Merck: 20 Years of CatalyzingInnovation

The medicinal chemist's toolbox for late stage functionalization of drug-like molecules

Highly Efficient Asymmetric Synthesis of Sitagliptin

Follow the Pharm to Table podcast on X - ⁠⁠⁠⁠@PharmtoTablePod

⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pharm-to-table⁠⁠