Tuesday, October 5, 2021

ACS Converge

Conversations on Real-World
Applications of Science

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

A virtual experience only. 

Join ACS on Tuesday, October 5th at 11am, ET for ACS Converge, a new virtual event for scientists looking to engage in interdisciplinary discussions on innovations leading the chemical enterprise. Attend talks on real-world applications of research and leave inspired by the ways science can solve global problems.

This event is free and open to ACS members and non-members, but you must register to save your seat.

Questions about ACS Converge?

Email us at: industry@acs.org


Tuesday, October 5 (Eastern Time)
11:00 - 11:05 AM Welcome, Opening Remarks
11:05 AM - 12:00 PMKeynote Panel: The Intersection of Science, Business, and Health
12:00 - 1:00 PMResearch Presentations
1:00 - 1:45 PMBreakout Sessions
1:45 - 2:00 PMClosing Remarks

Keynote Speakers

Amy Ripka

Amy Ripka, Ph.D.

Lucy Therapeutics

Amy Ripka is CEO of Lucy Therapeutics, a Boston-based, mitochondrial platform biotech, revolutionizing treatments for rare and neurological diseases. 

Previous to her role at LucyTx, she served on the executive leadership teams at SAI Life Sciences and WuXiAppTec. Dr. Ripka previously held positions of scientific leadership at EnVivo Pharmaceuticals, Daiamed and Infinity Pharmaceuticals as  well as consulting for other Boston biotechs such as FoldRx (acquired by Pfizer) and Hydra Biosciences.

She received her PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and subsequently worked in the lab of Nobel Laureate K. Barry Sharpless for her post-doctoral studies. She has over 30  issued patents and has been involved in multiple INDs in different therapeutic areas. She has deep connections in the medicinal chemistry community with long-time service to the ACS MEDI Executive Committee and was the elected Chair of the 2012 Medicinal Chemistry Gordon Research Conference. She is currently a SAB member at Carraway Therapeutics and Q BioMed.

In her spare time, she plays classical violin professionally in and around the Boston area and has performed with such artists as Yo-Yo Ma, Hillary Hahn, Peter Gabriel, Sarah McLachlan and Smokey Robinson.

 

Anita Mehta, Ph.D.

Anita Mehta, Ph.D.

Chicago Discovery Solutions

Anita Mehta is Co-founder and CEO of Chicago Discovery Solutions (USA), a women-owned company. She has several years of hands-on post Ph.D. experience as a manager, researcher, innovator, strategic planner and as Senior Manager/Vice President /CEO. She is the inventor/ co-inventor in 26 US patents and author in 26 peer reviewed publications. Chicago Discovery Solutions is working on the design of innovative active ruthenium metal catalysts for green and sustainable chemistry.

 

Michael Nestor

Michael Nestor, Ph.D.

Johnson & Johnson Innovation

As the Scientific Engagement Lead for Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS @ Washington, DC, Michael Nestor collaborates with the Head of JLABS @ Washington, DC and Johnson & Johnson Innovation colleagues in sourcing and evaluating innovative companies with the aim to foster a productive life science ecosystem and bring value to Johnson & Johnson’s pipeline.

Michael's work experience spans roles at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, in the Office of Science at The Department of Energy (DOE), and The Hussman Institute for Autism. Michael also ran his own human stem cell consulting company, Synapstem. 

Michael received his PhD in Neuroscience from The University of Maryland, School of Medicine where he was trained as an electrophysiologist and completed postdoctoral fellowships at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and The New York Stem Cell Foundation, where he was also a Staff Scientist. Michael was an NIH IRACDA Fellow at Rutgers University, focused on teaching in minority-serving institutions and helping increase the participation of traditionally underrepresented groups in science.

David Harwell

David Harwell, Ph.D.

Consulting Science, LLC

David Harwell, Ph.D., MBA is the founder and CEO of Consulting Science LLC, a consulting practice focused on strategic implementation and operations in science-based organizations. Previously, David led initiatives for leadership development, education, employment, industry relations and entrepreneurship at global NGOs including the American Geophysical Union and the American Chemical Society. He is also a former chemistry professor and researcher with a background in main group synthesis.


Research Presenters

Katherine Mirica

Katherine Mirica, Ph.D.

Dartmouth College

Gregg Beckham

Gregg Beckham, Ph.D

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

 

Kevin Barnett

Kevin Barnett, Ph.D.

Pyran

Lynn McGregor

Lynn McGregor, Ph.D.

Novartis


Event Host

Tiffany Hoerter

Tiffany Hoerter, M.S.

American Chemical Society

Tiffany Hoerter has been a member of the chemistry professional community for 18 years serving in roles at AstraZeneca, DuPont, Agilent Technologies, and the American Chemical Society. Throughout her diverse chemistry career, she has focused her organization, leadership, and consensus building skills to solve complex challenges in the pharmaceuticals, electronics, digital printing, biotechnology, and non-profit sectors.  She was an active volunteer leader for the American Chemical Society for 16 years, prior to joining the organization as the Assistant Director of Member Programs. She currently works to provide value to the chemical enterprise community through industry programs, awards, and recognition. 

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