Meet the New Editor-in-Chief of Organic Process Research & Development

Taking on the role of Editor-in-Chief of Organic Process Research & Development (OPR&D) is an incredible honor. With my background in process chemistry, I see this as an opportunity to shape the future of the field and ensure that OPR&D remains an essential resource for scientists working to develop scalable, efficient, and sustainable chemical processes.

As the landscape of pharmaceutical and chemical development rapidly evolves, so must we. We need to embrace the emerging technologies (e.g., AI, automated synthesis planning, advanced computational modeling for reaction optimization and electrochemistry to mention a few) and novel modalities, while maintaining the journal’s reputation for rigorous, high-quality publications. I also look forward to continuing to strengthen the connections between industry and academia, ensuring that OPR&D continues to be a bridge between practical innovation and fundamental research.

Of course, challenges exist. The rise of open access publishing and increasing competition from other journals means we must be more dynamic, engaging, and advance the new breakthroughs in the field. As always, with challenges come opportunities to innovate and push the boundaries of what OPR&D can be, to better serve our readership.

Beyond the science, I also want to continue to foster the diversity both within our editorial team and the broader process chemistry community. We need to continue to mentor the next generation of scientists and expand OPR&D’s outreach through social media and education. My vision is to lead the journal in advancing the best of process chemistry today but also establish the groundwork for the innovation of tomorrow. I look forward to the journey and to working with the community to continue making OPR&D a leader in the field.

My goal is to ensure that OPR&D remains a premier resource for process chemists by embracing innovation, fostering collaboration, and strengthening our scientific community. I am committed to continuing to expand the journal’s scope by integrating cutting-edge emerging technologies, as defined above. I also recognize that the nature of the traditional “small molecule“ has changed over recent years and I look forward to publishing process chemistry solutions to novel synthetic approaches for new modalities including peptides, oligonucleotides, anti-body drug conjugates (ADCs) and bioconjugates. Also by strengthening partnerships between industry and academia, I hope to encourage a broader range of contributions from chemical engineers, regulatory professionals, and scientists across all areas of our community.

To maintain our reputation for high-quality research, I am dedicated to improving the peer review and publication process, continuing to look at approaches to reduce our turnaround times, and exploring new publishing models that keep us competitive. Engaging our community is also a top priority and leveraging social media, webinars, and Special Issues to reach a wider audience, particularly younger researchers is important.

OPR&D has had a strong partnership with other ACS Journals (e.g., The Journal of Organic Chemistry, Organic Letters) and external organizations (e.g., ACS Green Chemistry Roundtable) and I hope to continue to advance these collaborations to advance interdisciplinary approaches for the process chemist.

In summary, my goal for OPR&D is to ensure that we not only keep pace with technological advancements but also cultivate a vibrant, diverse, and engaged scientific community that drives meaningful progress in process chemistry. I want to ensure OPR&D remains a premier resource for process chemists by adapting to technological advancements, fostering a diverse and engaged scientific community, and maintaining its reputation for publishing high-quality, impactful research.

Researchers should consider publishing in OPR&D because it is a leading journal dedicated to bridging the gap between laboratory research and large-scale chemical manufacturing. OPR&D prioritizes industry relevance and practical impact, ensuring that published work is not just scientifically rigorous but also applicable to real-world challenges in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and specialty chemicals. It is also an opportunity to highlight the application of emerging technologies to deliver novel molecules and therapeutics at scale. The ability of the journal to publish practical, scalable and reproducible chemistry is also important.

Since our readership bridges academia and industry, publishing in OPR&D means your work reaches professionals who directly influence drug development, manufacturing, and regulatory science. Special issues provide opportunities to contribute to high-impact discussions, and our commitment to digital outreach, social media engagement, and ACS collaborations ensures your research gains global visibility. OPR&D is also committed to sustainability, highlighting environmentally friendly and cost-effective chemical processes that shape the future of industrial chemistry. By publishing with OPR&D, you're not just sharing research—you’re making a tangible impact on the evolution of safer, more efficient, and more sustainable chemical processes.

For OPR&D, we are looking for high-quality research papers that advance the field of process chemistry and have strong industrial relevance across all disciplines in our industry. We want to publish papers on innovative synthetic methodologies that improve efficiency, scalability, and safety in large-scale manufacturing. Industrial case studies provide practical insights into route selection, scale-up challenges, and process optimization in the pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries.

A strong emphasis is placed on sustainability and green chemistry, including waste minimization, solvent reduction, and energy-efficient processes. The integration of emerging technologies is also a key area of interest. Cross-disciplinary research that bridges chemistry with engineering, regulatory science, and materials science—covering topics like process safety, purification, and biocatalysis—is highly valued.

Additionally, the journal publishes work on regulatory and quality considerations, including compliance, impurity control, and process validation. High-quality data and reproducibility are essential, ensuring that methodologies can be applied or adapted by both industry and academia. Finally, educational and review content provides broad perspectives on key challenges and future directions in process chemistry, making OPR&D a critical resource for researchers and industry professionals alike.

As the leader of the Drug Substance Technologies organization at Amgen and the Site Head for Amgen Massachusetts, I am working on the advancement of novel modalities, across all therapeutic areas, from early development to licensure. I am in the unique position to lead an organization that advances innovation to deliver our drug substance portfolio and I’m incredibly proud of the role we play in bringing life-changing medicines to patients.

Every day, we advance molecules to medicines identifying and refining new commercial processes for our multi-modality portfolio across for cell culture, fermentation, purification, synthetic small molecules, bioconjugates, peptides, and more. It’s a dynamic, fast-moving space, where we are always on the critical path to the next milestone, and I’m continually inspired by the expertise, creativity, and dedication of the people I work with to deliver to our mission to “serve every patient, every time.”

Balancing this with my responsibilities as Site Head for Amgen Massachusetts, our East Coast Operations Center, makes my role even more rewarding. Here, we’re not just leading cutting-edge science; we’re fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence across all site activities focused not only on drug substance but also inclusive of drug product, attribute sciences and combination products and supporting functions providing that end-to-end view of drug development.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I’ve had at Amgen and the meaningful impact we make on patients' lives. That sense of purpose drives everything I do, inspiring me to push the boundaries of drug substance development and contribute to innovations that truly matter. I look forward to continuing this journey, shaping the future of medicine, and making a difference for those who need it most.

I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity to advance Amgen’s drug substance portfolio and play a role in bringing new, innovative medicines to patients who need them. Every day, I’m reminded of the power of science and technology to transform lives, and it’s a privilege to be part of a team that is making such a meaningful impact. In my role I am also honored to work with a great team of scientists.

Leading talented, passionate teams and watching them grow, develop, and succeed in their careers is truly fulfilling. I love seeing individuals take on new challenges, innovate, and push themselves beyond what they thought possible. It’s not just about the science—it’s about fostering an environment where people feel inspired, valued, and empowered to make a difference.

I am particularly excited about the future of OPR&D, especially in the integration of traditional small molecules with biologics and the advancement of new modalities such as bioconjugates, oligonucleotides, peptides, and ADCs. These emerging modalities present new challenges that require a cross-disciplinary approach to develop commercial processes that will enable their success. To deliver these molecules effectively, we must leverage our deep expertise in small molecules and biologics while integrating evolving capabilities like AI, ML, and biocatalysis. While the complexity of these advancements is not trivial, the challenges and opportunities they present are incredibly exciting and have the potential to reshape how we approach process development.

The biggest challenges in process chemistry today revolve around balancing speed, sustainability, complexity, and regulatory demands. Accelerating our development timelines is a major hurdle, as industries face increasing pressure to bring new drugs and chemicals to market faster while ensuring efficient route selection, scalable manufacturing, and strict regulatory compliance.

Sustainability and green chemistry remain critical concerns, requiring innovative approaches to minimize waste, reduce energy consumption, and implement environmentally responsible synthetic methodologies. The rise of complex molecules and new modalities, as mentioned above, adds another layer of difficulty, demanding scalable, cost-effective, and reproducible process solutions. Meanwhile, regulatory and supply chain pressures continue to challenge manufacturers, as global disruptions and heightened regulatory scrutiny necessitate robust and resilient synthetic processes.

Finally, the integration of emerging technologies presents opportunities for innovation, but challenges in data accessibility, model validation, and workflow integration must be addressed to unlock their full potential. Overcoming these obstacles is essential for advancing process chemistry and ensuring a more efficient, sustainable, and resilient industry.

However, with these challenges comes opportunities. Advancements in process chemistry are being driven by key innovations and strategic collaborations. AI, ML, and digitalization are revolutionizing the field by enabling reaction prediction, process optimization, and real-time monitoring, while automation and continuous manufacturing improve efficiency and reduce waste. Advanced synthetic strategies such as biocatalysis, photocatalysis, electrosynthesis, and flow chemistry provide greener alternatives that enhance sustainability and minimize hazardous reagent use.

Strengthening industry-academic collaborations can bridge knowledge gaps, accelerate innovation, and provide hands-on training for future process chemists. Enhanced regulatory strategies, including advanced analytical methods, impurity control, and process validation, are crucial for ensuring smoother approvals and faster commercialization.

Additionally, expanding diversity and inclusion in process chemistry—through mentorship, leadership roles, and broader engagement—will foster creativity, drive innovation, and support the long-term success of the field. By embracing these opportunities, process chemistry can continue evolving toward a more efficient, sustainable, and inclusive future. By tackling these challenges and seizing these opportunities, OPR&D can continue to play a crucial role in advancing chemical manufacturing and ensuring the development of safe, effective, and sustainable products.

The most central element of my scientific career has been a deep dedication to doing good science and driving innovation in everything we do. I’ve always been fascinated by the challenge of taking a laboratory-scale reaction and transforming it into a robust, efficient, and sustainable manufacturing process. The ability to do this well means we can deliver innovative medicines to patients and make a real difference in their lives and the lives of their families and to me, which is very rewarding. In doing this I have also had the opportunity to mentor and develop the next generation of scientists. Watching talented individuals grow, evolve, and push the boundaries of what they can do is incredibly gratifying and has been a very important part of my career journey.

My advice to young researchers is to stay curious, embrace failure as a learning tool, and never stop questioning. Science isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about persistence and adaptability. Setbacks aren’t obstacles; they’re just stepping stones to the next breakthrough.

Embrace interdisciplinary learning, be innovative in integrating emerging technologies into your research, and develop a mindset of continuous improvement—these will open new ways of thinking and lead to unexpected innovations. Also build strong collaborations and actively engage with the scientific community by attending conferences, joining professional organizations like ACS, and contributing to journal publications. These connections will create valuable opportunities for growth.

Most importantly, always prioritize integrity in your work and keep your passion alive. Genuine curiosity and dedication will take you further than anything else. Most importantly—have fun! Your career is a marathon, not a sprint, so enjoy the journey.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I’ve always loved being outdoors either hiking, biking, and camping where I can unwind and get away from everything. Right now, I’m based in Boston, but I also travel frequently to California, which is my home base. Being bicoastal gives me the best of both worlds—a mix of New England’s changing seasons and the West Coast’s year-round sunshine—I guess you can’t ask for more than that!