Nicholas White | Organic Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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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

Ruby Raj Michael | Organic Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Ruby Raj Michael | Organic Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Yeungnam University, Republic of Korea, India

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎯 Objective

Dr. Ruby Raj Michael is a passionate and innovative researcher with expertise in organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, materials science, and chemical engineering. She is dedicated to pioneering cutting-edge research in energy storage materials, organic electronic materials, and polymer-based solar cells at prestigious research institutions and universities worldwide.

🎓 Academic Background

Dr. Ruby Raj Michael has a strong academic foundation in chemistry and materials science, with the following degrees:

✔️ Ph.D. in Chemistry (Materials Chemistry) (2008-2013) – National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, India.
🔹 Thesis: Design and Synthesis of Organic Polymers-Based Solar Cells
🔹 Supervisor: Prof. Dr. S. Anandan

✔️ M.Sc. in General Chemistry (2003-2005) – St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous), India.
✔️ B.Sc. in General Chemistry (2000-2003) – St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous), India.

🔬 Research Expertise & Interests

Dr. Michael specializes in designing and synthesizing novel materials for energy storage, organic electronics, and polymer chemistry, with research interests including:

✅ Energy Storage Materials & Batteries 🔋
✔️ Silicon-Encapsulated ZIF-67-Based Hollow Carbon Nanocubic Composites for Lithium-ion batteries.
✔️ Spinel Lithium Titanate (LTO) & Copper Cobalt Carbonate Hydroxide (CuCo CH) for advanced battery anodes.
✔️ Metal/Covalent Organic Frameworks (MOFs/COFs) for Lithium/Sodium/Potassium-ion batteries.
✔️ Organic Cathode Materials (Perylenediimide-based Polyimides & Redox-Active Macrocyclic Molecules) for Rechargeable Aluminum-ion Batteries.
✔️ Organic Polymer-Based Electrolytes for Lithium Organic Batteries.

✅ Organic Electronic Materials ⚡
✔️ Design and synthesis of small molecules & conjugated polymers for solar cells, perovskite solar cells, and polymer field-effect transistors (FETs).
✔️ Development of hole-transporting materials for next-generation organic electronic devices.

✅ Key Molecular Design Keywords:
🔹 Benzodithiophene (BDT), Thienyl-Substituted BDT (BDTT), Spiro[fluorene-9,9’-xanthene]-based 3D Oligomers, Thienoisoindigo Units.

📚 Academic Impact & Publications

Dr. Michael’s research has led to multiple high-impact SCI publications, contributing to the advancement of energy storage and organic electronics. Her work is widely cited, reflecting its influence in materials chemistry and polymer research.

🛠️ Technical Skills & Expertise

Dr. Michael has expertise in:
✔️ Organic & Polymer Synthesis – Development of functional materials for energy and electronic applications.
✔️ Electrochemical Characterization – Battery performance analysis, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
✔️ Materials Characterization – X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-Vis Spectroscopy.
✔️ Device Fabrication & Testing – Polymer solar cells, perovskite solar cells, lithium-ion battery assembly.

🎓 Teaching & Mentorship

As a dedicated mentor and educator, Dr. Michael has guided students in organic chemistry, polymer science, and materials engineering, fostering the next generation of researchers in sustainable energy materials.

🌍 Future Research Vision

Dr. Michael’s research vision focuses on:
🔹 Developing next-generation energy storage materials for high-performance and sustainable batteries.
🔹 Innovating organic electronic materials for efficient and cost-effective solar cells.
🔹 Exploring hybrid polymer frameworks for multifunctional applications in energy and electronics.

📖Notable Publications

  • Fabrication of high-efficiency perovskite solar cells using benzodithiophene-based random copolymeric hole transport material

    • Authors: Vijay Srinivasan Murugesan, Michael Ruby Raj, Hock Beng Lee, Neetesh Kumar
    • Journal: Electrochimica Acta
    • Year: 2025

  • Recent Advances in Development of Organic Battery Materials for Monovalent and Multivalent Metal-Ion Rechargeable Batteries

    • Authors: Michael Ruby Raj, Gibaek Lee, Mogalahalli Venkatashamy Reddy, Karim Zaghib
    • Journal: ACS Applied Energy Materials
    • Year: 2024

  • Extraordinary Ultrahigh‐Capacity and Long Cycle Life Lithium‐Ion Batteries Enabled by Graphitic Carbon Nitride‐Perylene Polyimide Composites

    • Authors: Michael Ruby Raj, Jungwon Yun, Dong‐kyu Son, Gibaek Lee
    • Journal: Energy & Environmental Materials
    • Year: 2023

  • Oxygen vacancy-modulated zeolitic Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ microsphere anode for superior lithium-ion battery

    • Authors: Seohyeon Yeo, Michael Ruby Raj, Gibaek Lee
    • Journal: Electrochimica Acta
    • Year: 2023

  • Hollow Porous N and Co Dual-Doped Silicon@Carbon Nanocube Derived by ZnCo-Bimetallic Metal–Organic Framework toward Advanced Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes

    • Authors: Hongjung Kim, Jinhyuk Baek, Dong-Kyu Son, Michael Ruby Raj, Gibaek Lee
    • Journal: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
    • Year: 2022