Bringing Chemistry to Life

Join us for this look into materials chemistry, developed under the guiding principles of sustainability and a systems approach.Dr. Zlatka Stoeva, Co-founder and Managing Director of DZP Technologies, discovered her love of chemistry out of boredom as a child. She then traveled to unknown lands to master her science and discover the value of mentors while doing amazing work on lithium-ion battery chemistry. A stint in the technology transfer office at Cambridge showed her how fundamental research can be translated into real-world solutions that can change lives, and this inspired her to start her own company.In providing CRO services and developing IP to help companies address market needs using unique materials, Stoeva and her colleagues approach problems with a systems mindset that is common in engineering, but not always chemistry. We hear about their work in “plastic electronics” that leverage biological materials and consider sustainability aspects while delivering results. We also hear about their exciting work using graphene materials to produce digitized materials that can code information about how they’re made and their interactions with the environment.Check out this great episode that balances a wonderful personal story, amazing science, and great bits of advice to guide your science and career development!Related episodes:Season 5, Ep.1: Batteries unplugged: past, present and the electrifying futureSeason 4, Ep.4: Women in chemistry: learnings from one of the greatestSeason 4, Ep.2: The father of green chemistrySeason 3, Ep.9: Energy harvesting and self-sustainable greenhousesSeason 2, Ep.8: Sustainability as an entrepreneurial choiceSeason 2, Ep.3: Rethinking catalysisBonus 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 cHeMcas+ng in October and KemThrReDs in November. We read every email so please share your questions and feedback with us! Email [email protected]

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 moleculesSeason 2, Ep.3: Rethinking catalysisBonus 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 BCTLisn3R in September, and cHeMcas+ng in October We read every email so please share your questions and feedback with us! Email [email protected]

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 chemistrySeason 2, Ep.7: Fresh urban waterSeason 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. We read every email so please share your questions and feedback with us! Email [email protected]

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 sabbaticalSeason 2, Ep.1: Chemistry: a modern American dreamSeason 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. We read every email so please share your questions and feedback with us! Email [email protected]