Young Investigator’s Symposium (YIS)
The Division sponsors the Young Investigator’s Symposium held annually at the Fall ACS meeting. Appropriate candidates will be independent investigators who are no more than 10 years from graduate school or post-doctoral appointment, be a current researcher in a non-academic setting (e.g. industry, government or non-profit laboratory) and have demonstrated outstanding promise for future contributions to Organic Chemistry. A nomination letter should be written by the head of a department or division, and should highlight the scientist’s promise, creativity, and productivity. Importantly, please also address the nominee’s ability to present a 30 minute scientific talk at the Fall ACS meeting that contains a substantial amount of the scientist’s own work, along with a very brief description of the talk’s topic. A copy of the candidate’s CV should also be included. We understand that certain settings may not encourage frequent publications, and accordingly, publication record will not be a primary criterion for an invitation to speak. Our goal is to put together a symposium of young, up-and-coming scientists from a range of backgrounds, organizations and industries.
Nominations for the 2021 Young Investigators Symposium were due February 20, 2021. The symposium honoring the selected candidates will take place at the Spring 2022 ACS National Meeting (Normally it is in the Fall ACS Meeting). Send nominations to Drs. Lisa Marcaurelle and Steve Silverman.
Nominations from women and minorities who are typically under-represented in chemistry are especially encouraged. Thanks for your support of this program, and for your willingness to help develop young scientists by providing them with opportunities to speak at a national meeting and to interact with other scientists. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us .
The 2020 Young Investigator’s Symposium will be held at the Spring 2021 ACS National Meeting.
2021 Young Investigator’s Symposium
Omar Ahmad, Blueprint
Christophe Allais, Pfizer
Matthew Beaver, Amgen
Raphaelle Berger, Merck
Alexander Buitrago-Santanilla, GSK
Ida Chen, Dow
Anne-Marie Dechert Schmitt, Pfizer
Amelie Dion, Merck/Pfizer
Anna Dunn, GSK
Candice Joe, BMS
Anais Jolit, AbbVie
Leo Joyce, Arrowhead
Carolyn Leverett, Pfizer
Xiaoli Liao, AbbVie
Brian Loy, Dow
Yu Lu, Lilly
Feng Peng, Merck
Vivek Rauniyar, Novartis
Chris Regens, Gilead
Troy Reynolds, AbbVie
Trevor Sherwood, BMS
Steven Silverman, Merck
Lauren Sirois, Genentech
Craig Stivala, Genentech
Shun Su, BMS
Benjamin Taft, Novartis
Dan Treitler, BMS
Tom Willumstad, Dow
Yun Zhang, AstraZeneca
2020 Young Investigator’s Symposium
Matthew Belowich, Dow
Tamas Benkovics, Merck
J Robb Debergh, FMC – DuPont
Nick Desrosiers, Pfizer
Anna Fryszkowska, Merck
Natalie Giampietro, Corteva-Dow
Chong Han, Genentech
Seb Monfette, Pfizer
Ryan Moslin, BMS
Jaclyn Murphy, DuPont
Zack Oblak, GSK
Martins Oderinde, BMS
Andrew Parsons, Amgen
Ryan Patman, Pfizer
David Pearson, Dow
Christopher Plummer, Merck
Danica Rankic, Pfizer
Mari Rosen, Dow
Janelle Steves, GSK
Aimee Usera, Novartis
Jason Zbieg, Genentech
2019 Young Investigator’s Symposium
Brad Bailey, Dow
Polyolefin catalysts for the production of ethylene-based fluids
Bryan Barton, Dow Dupont E&I
Shifting the oxidation pathways of polyethylene to provide carbonaceous species in high yield
Amanda Dombrowski, Abbvie
High-throughput reaction screening enabled by small scale solid dispensing
Shuzhi Dong, Merck
Discovery of MK-8153: ROMK inhibitor as new mechanism diuretic for hypertension and heart failure
Stephen Greszler, Abbvie
Impacting the pipeline through discovery synthesis groups: Cystic fibrosis, HCV, and immunology
Michael Harris, NovoNordisk
Development of PMC friendly approaches to the construction of synthetically challenging cyclopropane motifs
Josh Kaitz, Dupont
Rational design of organic materials for advanced microlithography
Jonrock Kong, Merck
Design and development of catalytic processes for the synthesis of antiviral agents EFdA (MK-8591) and vaniprevir (MK-7009)
Chad Lewis, Pfizer
Asymmetric atropisoinduction
David Marcoux, BMS
Rationally designed, conformationally constrained inverse agonists of ROR?t: Identification of a potent, selective series with biologic-like in vivo efficacy
Tricia May-Dracka, Biogen
Investigation of small molecule inhibitors of PLD for the treatment of ALS
Meredith McGowan, Merck
Discovery and evolution of potent and selective heme-displacing IDO1 inhibitors
Jordan Meier, NCI
New insights into acetylation & oncometabolism from chemoproteomics
Theo Michels, eFfector
Synthesis of bioactive flavagline analogues as inhibitors of cap-dependent translation: Discovery of eFT226
Erik Regalado, Merck
Universal chromatographic methods and fit for purpose workflows in the research and development of new pharmaceuticals
Benjamin Sherry, Merck
Process development in the pharmaceutical industry
Iulia Strambeau, GSK
Convergent synthesis of the NS5B inhibitor GSK8175 enabled by transition metal catalysis
Jenna Terebetski
Want to improve your (bio)performance? Take a closer look at the physical properties
Rubben Torella, Pfizer
Designing for bias: Computational methods to drive rational design of G-protein biased agonists
Joseph Tucker, Pfizer
High-throughput experimentation in flow: From screening to compound production
Steven Wisniewski, Bristol-Myers Squibb
Robust catalytic transformations: Value of mechanistic studies in process chemistry
Robert Wright, Dow
Organic molecules as forensic fuel markers
Ian Young, Genentech
Application of under-utilized transformations to the synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant molecules
2018 Young Investigator’s Symposium
Karla Bravo-Altamirano, Corteva Agriscience
Synthesis and bioactivity of carbohydrate-based macrocyclic picolinamide fungicides.
Alison Brewer, Pfizer
Design, development and scale-up of a homogeneous Chan-Lam coupling
Matthew Campbell, Merck
Herbicidal 2-aryl-1,2,3-triazoles
Benoit Cardinal-David, Abbvie
Flow chemistry: Impact on early process development
Chiol Chung, Genentech
Expedient synthesis of chiral tryptamines via a regioselective indole alkylation
Jamie McCabe Dunn, Merck
Vignettes in process chemistry spanning enabling discovery chemistry to manufacturing route development
Marie Gabrielle-Braun, Genentech
Discovery of GDC-0077: A highly selective inhibitor of PI3K-alpha that induces degradation of mutant-p110 alpha protein
Tom Greshock, Merck
Innovative chemistry enabling drug discovery: Leveraging new frontiers in organic synthesis to improve success rate
David Laitar, Dow
Boron- and copper-based TADF emitters: Synthesis, photochemical characterization and OLED device performance
Ricardo Lira, Pfizer
Preparation and optimization of macrocyclic peptide-like inhibitors for intravenous applications
Sheng Liu, Dow
Design and synthesis of high carbon content polymers via catalytic oxidative cross-coupling reactions for application in advanced manufacture
Michael Luzung, Bristol–Myers Squibb
Discovering innovative and impactful chemistry through external collaborations
Steven M. Mennen, Amgen
Integration of discovery and process development to deliver a high complexity BACE inhibitor
Joseph Pero, GlaxoSmithKline
Discovery of a novel class of TRPV4 antagonists and optimization with respect to LLE, oral PK properties and off-target activity
Angela Puchlopek-Dermenci, Pfizer
Commercial route development of a SMO inhibitor
Aaron Smith, Pfizer
Speed to clinic: The critical role of organic synthesis in medicinal chemistry.
2017 Young Investigator’s Symposium
Scott Bader, Pfizer
Synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs): Difficulties in the synthesis of the parts can be greater than that of the whole
Douglas Behenna, Pfizer
Discovery and early enablement of PF-06747775: A next generation irreversible inhibitor of mutant EGFR for the treatment of NSCLC.
Aaron Burns, Dart Neuroscience
Aldehyde Oxidase Metabolism in Drug Discovery
Vincent Chan, AbbVie
Development of a robust process for Venetoclax
Michael Demartino, GlaxoSmithKline
Next generation RET kinase inhibitor: Improved physicochemical and PK properties enhance local GI tissue distribution
Kevin Hesp, Pfizer
Synthesis of Photoreactive Chemical Probes through Late-Stage Heterocyclic C-H Functionalization of Unmodified Biologically Active Molecules
Xin Linghu, Genentech
Development of a practical synthesis of small molecule intermediate for THIOMAB-antibiotic conjugates (TACs)
Zhijian Liu, Merck
Asymmetric Hydrogen Bonding Catalysis for the Synthesis of Dihydroquinazoline-containing Antiviral, Letermovir
Ana Minatti, Amgen
Fueling the Alzheimer’s BACE1 Race with Genetic Insights and Cyclopropyloxazine BACE1 Inhibitors
Christian Nilewski, eFFECTOR Therapies
Design and synthesis of novel natural product-inspired eIF4A inhibitors
Thomas Pillow, Genentech
New Chemistries for Antibody-Drug Conjugates
Izzat Raheem, Merck
Discovery of 2-pyridinone aminals: A prodrug strategy to advance a second generation of HIV-1 integrase strand transfer inhibitors
Matthew Schiffler, Lilly
mPGES-1 Inhibitors from start to clinic
Eric Simmons, Bristol–Myers Squibb
Discovery, Development and Mechanistic Study of Catalytic Transformations for the Multi-Kilogram Scale Synthesis of Pharmaceutical Intermediates
Emile Velthuisen, GlaxoSmithKline
Design of Highly Potent Allosteric Integrase Inhibitors
Abbas Walji, Merck
New opportunities for synthetic chemistry to enable drug discovery: Discovery of [18F]MK-6240 a novel PET imaging agent for tau pathology
2016 Young Investigator’s Symposium
Robert Aversa, Novartis
ATR inhibitors for cancer: SBDD and mitigation of TDI
Haiming Zhang, Genentech
Practical processes to selective estrogen receptor degrader GDC-0810
Michael Schmidt, Bristol-Myers Squibb
Case studies in process research: Small molecules with big challenges
Hua Xu, Pfizer
Applications of sulfonyl fluorides in drug discovery and chemical biology
Erin P. Keaney, Novartis
Disruption of autophagy in vivo via selective Vps34 inhibitors
Eric C. Hansen, Pfizer
Mining pharmaceutical libraries for new ligands in nickel catalysis
Philip Fontaine, Dow Chemical
Discovery and development of molecular polyolefin catalysts
Hilary S. Eidam, GlaxoSmithKline
RET inhibitors for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome
Christopher am Ende, Pfizer
Design and application of photoaffinity probes to investigate the mechanism of action of ?-secretase inhibitors and modulators
Joseph R. Martinelli, Eli Lilly
Evolution of a platform for aerobic processes
Malliga R. Iyer, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Synthetic approaches toward the design of multi-target compounds for the treatment of metabolic disorders and fibrosis
Anna V. Davis, Dow Chemical
Advances in the direct control of polyethylene oxide molecular weight
Mirlinda Biba, Merck
Chromatographic analysis and separation of short RNA oligonucleotides with novel liquid chromatography methods
Dennie S. Welch, AbbVie
Development of a practical asymmetric synthesis of a TRPV1 antagonist
Arjun Raghuraman, Dow Chemical
Sequential DMC/FAB-catalyzed alkoxylation towards high primary hydroxyl, high equivalent weight polyether polyols
Jackie Milne, Amgen
Development of a robust process for a cMet inhibitor
2015 Young Investigator’s Symposium
Gregg Keaney, H3 Biomedicine
Total synthesis of 6-deoxypladienolide D and assessment of splicing inhibitory activity in a mutant SF3B1 cancer cell line
Roy Helmy, Merck
Development and implementation of innovative high-throughput screening and analysis solutions to support discovery and development of active pharmaceutical ingredients in the pharmaceutical industry
Patricia Brieva, L’Oreal
Organic acid applications within the cosmeceutical industry “chemical peels”
Reema Thalji, GlaxoSmithKline
Structure-guided design and optimization of fluoroquinolone-substituted bacterial type IIA DNA topoisomerase inhibitors
Paul LaBeaume, Dow Chemical
Application of synthetic organic chemistry in the design of cationic initiators for next generation photoresists
Kevin Cole, Eli Lilly
Continuous processing: Chemical route development and GMP implementation
Timothy Briggs, Ensemble Therapeutics
DNA-programmed chemistry toward macrocycle libraries for drug discovery
Andrew Vetter, Eastman Chemical
Cobalt catalyzed reductive carbonylation of methanol
Andrew Hejl, Dow Chemical
Designed hybridization – acrylic-epoxy hybrid dispersions for industrial coating applications
Nathan Ide, Pfizer
Development of a commercial manufacturing process for Ibrance® (palbociclib)
Jeffrey Kallemeyn, AbbVie
Approaches to the heterocyclic core of Ilorasertib
Andrew Satterfield, DuPont
Carbonyl containing heterocycles as aromatic isosteres in 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) herbicides
Antonella Converso, Merck
Discovery of adenosine analog inhibitors of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase
Ke Chen, Bristol-Myers-Squibb
Overcoming steric and electronic obstacles: Development of efficient syntheses of active pharmaceutical ingredients
Martin Schnermann, National Cancer Institute
Near-IR uncaging chemistry: Discovery and applications
Sheng Cui, Amgen
Chiral chemistry for API synthesis
2014 Young Investigator’s Symposium
Nicole Knight, Dow Chemical
Multidisciplinary problem solving in industrial research
Anthony A Estrada, Genentech
Access to potent, selective, efficacious, and highly functionalized pyrimidoaminotropane mTOR inhibitors through the development of a flexible pyrimidine methodology
Christoph W Zapf, Pfizer
Lessons learned from targeting interleukin-2 inducible T cell kinase (ITK) by a covalent approach
Kelly M George, L’Oreal
Development of new skin care cleansing formulations using design of experiment and fast formulation tools
Beth M. Cooper, Dow Chemical
Latex-pigment interactions in paint to reduce environmental impact and improve performance
Rebecca T Ruck, Merck
MK-7655: Surprising synthetic complexity for seemingly straightforward steps
Adrian Ortiz, Bristol-Myers-Squibb
Discovery of an innovative stereoselective synthesis of BMS-986001: A nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) for the treatment of HIV infection
Sébastien Lemaire, Janssen Pharmaceutica
Stereoselective C-glycosylation reactions with arylzinc reagents
Shashank Shekhar, AbbVie
Discovery of novel catalytic technologies in the process development of HCV polymerase inhibitors
Jared L. Piper, Eli Lilly
Process development and synthetic approaches for a CB1 inverse agonist
2013 Young Investigator’s Symposium
Santhosh F Neelamkavil, Merck
Discovery of bridged bicyclic piperidines as GPR119 agonists for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes
Kurt Hirsekorn, Dow Chemical
Selective methane activation and chlorocarbon development for climate friendly refrigerants via free radical chemistries
John S. Schneekloth, National Cancer Institute
Chemical probes of protein sumoylation: Strategies and tactics
David L. Gray, Pfizer
Medicinal chemistry at the blood-brain interface: Challenge and opportunity
Shawn D. Walker, Amgen
Development of new methods for the asymmetric synthesis of small molecule drug candidates
Allyn T. Londregan, Pfizer
Synthetic enablement for drug discovery: A new method for the addition of nucleophiles to pyridine-N-oxides
Owendi Ongayi, Dow Electronic Materials
Development of materials for semiconductor device fabrication
Rami Hannoush, Genentech
Peptides tools for targeting the zymogen form of a caspase
Artis Klapars, Merck
Asymmetric synthesis of complex drug targets
2012 Young Investigator’s Symposium
Michael T. Rudd, Merck
Discovery of vaniprevir (MK-7009) and MK-5172: Macrocyclic HCV NS3/4a protease inhibitors
Stephen M. Lynch, Hoffmann-La Roche
Design and synthesis of novel monoamine triple reuptake inhibitors
Jason S. Tedrow, Amgen
Route selection toward AMG 222: A direct tetrazole addition strategy toward building molecular complexity
Ming Xu, DuPont Crop Protection
Synthesis and crop protection utility of novel fused heterobicyclic isoxazolines
Ed Cleator, Merck
Discovery of an asymmetric synthesis of suvorexant
Lori Krim Gavrin, Pfizer
Adventures in medicinal chemistry: Drug design and probe design
2011 Young Nonacademic Investigators
Vincent Mascitti, Pfizer
Discovery of clinical candidate PF-04971729: An anti-diabetic agent from the structurally unique dioxa-bicyclo[3.2.1]octane class of SGLT2 inhibitors
Lisa A. Marcaurelle, Broad Institute
Diversity-oriented synthesis: From macrocyclesto spirocycles and beyond
Brian C. Shook, Johnson & Johnson
Indenopyrimidines as dual adenosine A2A/A1 antagonists for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease
Xing Dai, Merck
Example of drug discovery program leading to the development of novel reactions
Aaron T. Wright, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Identification of proteins relevant to bioenergy and disease pathology by chemical proteome profiling
Spencer D. Dreher, Merck
Collaboration and communication in chemistry
Ted W. Johnson, Pfizer
HIV integrase and the Golden Triangle: Overcoming synthetic challenges to compounds occupying unique chemical space
Martin D. Eastgate, Bristol-Myers Squibb
On the palladium catalyzed oxidation of cyclic dienes
2010 Young Nonacademic Investigators
Vassil I. Elitzin, GlaxoSmithKline
Efficient and practical synthesis of GSK812397, an HIV drug candidate
Qinhua Huang, Pfizer
Synthesis and evaluation of NO donor containing carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
Andrew W. Fraley, Ensemble Discovery
DNA-programmed chemistry approaches to macrocyclic lead compounds
Catherine A Faler, ExxonMobil Chemical Company
Synthesis of pyridyl amine ligands for catalyzed ethylene oligomerization
Robert D. Mazzola, Jr., Merck/Ligand Pharmaceuticals
Design and synthesis of novel ß-secretase (BACE) inhibitors
Hannah Yu, Eli Lilly
Development of an efficient palladium-catalyzed intramolecular carbometalation reaction for the synthesis of a dibenzoxapine-containing tetrasubstituted exocyclic alkene
Fa Liu, National Cancer Institute
Peptide mimetics disrupting protein-protein interactions discovered by post-solid phase modifications
Francis Gosselin, Merck
Asymmetric hydrogenation of unprotected N-H ketoimines
Nidhi Gupta, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University
Synthetic ligands (synbodies): Syntheticalternatives to antibodies
Matthew M. Bio, Amgen
Practial arene metallation chemistry
2009 Young Investigator’s Symposium
Craig J. Thomas, National Institutes of Health
Bioactive small molecule discovery at the NIH chemical genomics center
David Tellers, Merck
Application of automation to synthetic organic challenges Shawn M. Dirk, Sandia National Laboratories
Development of novel polymeric capacitor dielectric materials
Xianhai Huang, Schering-Plough Research Institute
Total synthesis and SAR development of potent antitumor natural product psymberin/irciniastatin A
Andrew E. Taggi, DuPont Crop Protection
Chemistry at the interface of agriculture and medicine: Pyrazinones as tubulin modulators
Dafydd R. Owen, Pfizer
Enabling the hit to lead process at Pfizer: The value of organic synthesis
M. Uljana Mayer, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
New probes for proteomics: Synthesis and application to problems in health and bioenergy
Karin M. Balss, Cordis Corporation
Investigation of chemical spatial distribution of drug and polymer in drug-eluting stent coatings
Stefan G. Koenig, Sepracor
Lessons learned: Development of a catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation process
Daniel H. Appella, National Institutes of Health
Molecular designs for peptide nucleic acids in detection and multivalent platforms
Eric Assen B. Kantchev, Forma Therapeutics Singapore
Rational exploration and exploitation of palladacycle diversity: Design and development of the SingaCycle family of NHC-palladacycle cross-coupling catalysts
Oliver Thiel, Amgen
Synthesis and process development of an advanced drug candidate
Jeffrey C. Gildersleeve, National Cancer Institute
Multidimensional carbohydrate microarrays for cancer research
2008 Young Investigator’s Symposium
Yue-Mei Zhang, Johnson & Johnson
Regioselective Pd-catalyzed coupling of halopyrimidines and synthesis of functionalized pyrimidoindole heterocycles
Shane W. Krska, Merck
Harnessing the power of high-throughput experimentation for catalytic reaction development at Merck
Percy H. Carter, Bristol-Myers Squibb
Discovery of potent, selective, and orally bioavailable antagonists of CC Chemokine Receptor 2
Florence Mehlmann, Arkema
Developments of new polymer architectures by controlled radical polymerization
Zhao-Kui Wan, Wyeth Research
Serendipitous synthetic discoveries: A tale of phosphonium and oxybenzotriazole chemistry
Daniel Steiger, General Electric Global Research
Rational design of surfaces with nanometer-sized domains for improved blood compatibility
Kanth V. B. Josyula, Aldrich Chemical Company
Enabling boron-based reagents in chemical synthesis: A story of advancing science through new product development at Aldrich
Brian A. Johns, GlaxoSmithKline
Novel synthetic methods to facilitate the pursuit of antiviral drugs
Erik J. Hembre, Eli Lilly
Discovery of the NK-1 antagonist LY686017
2007 Young Investigator’s Symposium
J. Kent Barbay, Johnson & Johnson
Synthesis and evaluation of small molecule C5a receptor antagonists
Kevin R. Campos, Merck
Enantioselective arylation of N-Boc pyrrolidine
Robert M. Borzilleri, Bristol-Myers Squibb
From cytotoxic agents to targeted therapies: A new era in oncology research
Robert A. Singer, Pfizer
Development of nonproprietary catalysts for the palladium-catalyzed amination reaction
Edmund I. Graziani, Wyeth Research
Synthesis and chemical biology of ILS-920: A novel non-immunosuppressive rapamycin analog with efficacy in multiple animal models of ischemic stroke