Nicholas White | Organic Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Nicholas White | Organic Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Genentech, Inc., United States

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Nicholas A. White’s passion for chemistry began during his undergraduate years at Loyola University Chicago, where he earned a B.S. in Chemistry, graduating magna cum laude in 2010. During this time, he conducted research under Prof. James Babler, focusing on chemoselective Ru(III)/NaBH4 reductions. He further advanced his academic career by pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemistry at Colorado State University under Prof. Tomislav Rovis, specializing in asymmetric N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed reactions.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Dr. White is currently a Sr. Principal Scientist in the Department of Synthetic Molecule Process Chemistry at Genentech, Inc., where he leads the development of innovative and phase-appropriate processes for producing high-quality Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). His industry experience also includes a formative internship at TOLMAR Pharmaceuticals, where he contributed to pharmaceutical manufacturing and process development.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Throughout his career, Dr. White has contributed to advancing synthetic organic chemistry, with a particular emphasis on catalysis and process chemistry. His postdoctoral work at MIT with Prof. Stephen L. Buchwald was centered on developing Pd-catalyzed C–N couplings using amine bases, providing valuable methodologies for pharmaceutical synthesis.

🌍 Impact and Influence

At Genentech, Dr. White’s work directly supports the delivery of safe and effective medicines. His ability to translate cutting-edge synthetic chemistry into scalable, robust manufacturing processes plays a key role in the company’s mission to bring novel therapeutics to patients.

🧪 Technical Skills

Dr. White has a diverse technical skill set that includes: Asymmetric catalysis, Pd-catalyzed C-N bond formation, N-heterocyclic carbene catalysis, API process development, Pharmaceutical formulation and troubleshooting, Process scale-up and manufacturing support.

📚 Academic Contributions

Dr. White has actively published in high-impact journals, contributing to the fields of synthetic organic chemistry and process development. His research bridges fundamental catalysis with practical applications in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

👨‍🏫 Mentorship & Training

In addition to his research and industry roles, Dr. White has mentored junior scientists and interns, fostering talent development within Genentech and beyond, reflecting his commitment to building future leaders in chemistry.

🚀 Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. White continues to innovate at the interface of synthetic chemistry and pharmaceutical development. His ongoing work aims to refine and optimize chemical processes that can accelerate drug development timelines while ensuring quality and sustainability in pharmaceutical production.

📖Notable Publications

Fit-for-Purpose Synthesis of a KRASG12C Covalent Inhibitor, via a Diastereoselective Hayashi Arylation
Authors: C. Molinaro, N. Wong, N.A. White, S. Malhotra, F. Gosselin
Journal: Organic Process Research and Development
Year: 2024

Streamlined Synthesis of SHP2 Inhibitor GDC-1971 Enhanced by a Telescoped Schotten-Baumann SNAr and Reactive Crystallization Cascade
Authors: L.E. Sirois, N.A. White, J. Shen, F. St-Jean, F. Gosselin
Journal: Organic Process Research and Development
Year: 2024

Aryl Halide Cross-Coupling via Formate-Mediated Transfer Hydrogenation
Authors: Y. Cho, Y.-H. Chang, K.P. Quirion, Z.H. Strong, Z.J. Dubey, N. Nguyen, S. Lee, N.S. Taylor, J.M. Hoover, N.A. White, P. Liu, M.J. Krische
Journal: Nature Chemistry
Year: 2025

Manufacturing Process for 6-Bromo-N,N-bis(4-methoxybenzyl)-4-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-amine, a Key Intermediate in the Synthesis of KRAS G12C Inhibitor Divarasib
Authors: J. Shen, N.A. White, Q. Tian, L.E. Sirois, H. Zhang, F. Gosselin
Journal: Organic Process Research and Development
Year: 2024

Second-Generation Atroposelective Synthesis of KRAS G12C Covalent Inhibitor GDC-6036
Authors: J. Xu, N-.K. Lim, J.C. Timmerman, J. Shen, K. Clagg, U. Orcel, R. Bigler, E. Trashsel, R. Meier, N.A. White, J.A. Burkhard, L.E. Sirois, Q. Tian, R. Angelaud, S. Bachmann, H. Zhang, F. Gosselin
Journal: Organic Letters
Year: 2023

Reza Farhoosh | Food Chemistry | Outstanding Scientist Award

Prof. Reza Farhoosh | Food Chemistry | Outstanding Scientist Award

Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Prof. Reza Farhoosh began his academic journey in Food Chemistry at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, where he earned his B.Sc. (1988-1992). His passion for food science led him to pursue an M.Sc. (1992-1995) at Tarbiat Modarres University, focusing on Food Chemistry and Analysis. Determined to deepen his expertise, he completed his Ph.D. (1998-2003) at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, where he developed a strong foundation in food research, setting the stage for a remarkable career in academia and scientific research.

🏅 Professional Endeavors

Prof. Farhoosh has been a dedicated faculty member at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad for over two decades, significantly contributing to the advancement of food chemistry. He began his tenure as an Assistant Professor (2003-2008) and was later promoted to Associate Professor (2008-2012). Since 2012, he has served as a Professor, mentoring students and leading research in food science. Throughout his career, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the university’s Food Chemistry and Analysis program, fostering innovation and academic excellence.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

As an expert in Food Chemistry and Analysis, Prof. Farhoosh’s research primarily focuses on lipid chemistry, instrumental analysis, and advanced spectroscopic and chromatographic methods for food studies. His work has provided crucial insights into the chemical composition and quality of food, enhancing food safety and preservation. He has made significant contributions in lipid oxidation, food quality assessment, and analytical food techniques, ensuring the advancement of scientific methodologies in food research. His studies have had a profound impact on the understanding of lipid stability and food component interactions, which are essential for food quality control.

📚 Impact and Influence

Prof. Farhoosh’s influence extends beyond his university, as he has played a key role in scientific publishing and peer-reviewed research. He is an editorial board member for two prestigious journals: Foods, a leading publication in food science, and Scientific Reports, a high-impact journal under the Nature Portfolio. Through these editorial roles, he actively contributes to reviewing, refining, and advancing food chemistry research on an international scale. His expertise in instrumental food analysis and lipid chemistry has made him a key figure in the field, inspiring researchers worldwide.

🔎 Academic Citations and Recognition

Prof. Farhoosh’s extensive research has been widely recognized in academic circles, with numerous citations in leading scientific journals. His work in Food Chemistry and Analysis, Lipid Oxidation and Stability, and Spectroscopic Food Evaluation has been referenced by scholars and researchers across the globe. His findings have contributed significantly to enhancing analytical methods in food science, ensuring better food quality assessment and safety standards.

🛠️ Technical Skills

With an extensive background in food science research, Prof. Farhoosh possesses advanced technical expertise in instrumental and analytical techniques. His skills include chromatographic techniques (HPLC, GC-MS), spectroscopic analysis (FTIR, UV-Vis, NMR), food lipid analysis, and instrumental food quality assessment. His proficiency in these methodologies has greatly enhanced food research by improving nutritional profiling, food safety standards, and quality control techniques. His contributions in analytical food chemistry continue to shape the industry’s approach to food analysis and preservation.

🎓 Teaching Experience

In addition to his research, Prof. Farhoosh is a dedicated educator, committed to mentorship and knowledge dissemination. Over the years, he has taught various courses across different academic levels. At the B.Sc. level, he teaches Food Chemistry, laying the foundation for future food scientists. At the M.Sc. level, he teaches Instrumental Analysis of Food, Lipid Chemistry, and Spectroscopic and Chromatographic Methods in Food Analysis, equipping students with advanced analytical techniques. His Ph.D. courses, including Advanced Lipid Chemistry and Spectroscopic & Chromatographic Techniques, provide cutting-edge insights into food research methodologies. His teaching has guided many students into successful careers in food science, research, and industry.

🌍 Legacy and Future Contributions

Prof. Farhoosh’s contributions to food science have left an indelible mark on both academia and industry. His research, publications, and editorial work continue to shape the future of food chemistry, advancing global food safety and quality standards. Moving forward, he aims to further his contributions in sustainable food production, innovative food analysis methods, and advanced lipid chemistry research. His dedication to mentoring students, fostering research collaborations, and improving food safety standards ensures that his legacy will continue to inspire the next generation of food scientists and researchers worldwide.

📖Notable Publications

  • Cut-off conjugated diene values for rejection of vegetable oils

    • Authors: E.S. Khabbaz, M. Jooyandeh, S. Jaldani, R. Farhoosh
    • Journal: LWT – Food Science and Technology
    • Year: 2024
  • The effect of using ultrasound pretreatment and pectinase enzyme on the extraction efficiency and antioxidant properties of the polyphenolic extract of sour grape (Vitis vinifera) waste

    • Authors: B. Hasani, F. Shahidi, S.A. Mortazavi, M. Mohebbi, R. Farhoosh
    • Journal: Journal of Food Science and Technology (Iran)
    • Year: 2023
  • Stepwise peroxidation of canola and olive oils: A kinetic study

    • Authors: M. Jooyandeh, S. Jaldani, R. Farhoosh
    • Journal: JAOCS, Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society
    • Year: 2023
  • Kinetics of chemical deteriorations over frying protected by gallic acid and methyl gallate

    • Authors: M. Hosseinkhani, R. Farhoosh
    • Journal: Scientific Reports
    • Year: 2023
  • Frying Performance of Gallic Acid and/or Methyl Gallate Accompanied by Phosphatidylcholine

    • Authors: G. Sadeghi Vahid, R. Farhoosh
    • Journal: Foods
    • Year: 2023