Podcast · Tech & Science

Pharm to Table

by LC Campeau, Dani Schultz · English · Tech & Science

A podcast hosted by L.-C. Campeau and Dani Schultz that dives into the stories about the people behind the chemistry and science that happens at #MerckChemistry. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @PharmToTablePod, @DrLCSquare, @danithechemist Email us comments and suggestions at pharmtotablepod@

New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 33 min
Latest: 11 Aug 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

11 Aug 2026 · 35 min

SE5:E3: A Process Chemist's Romance with Scaling a Macrocyclic Peptide

Last episode, we watched medicinal chemistry dream up enclitide (MK-0616) — this week we find out what happens when someone actually has to make it. Dani and LC are joined by David Thaisrivongs and Gao Shang to unpack their recent JACS paper on the total synthesis of enlicitide, a macrocyclic peptide complex enough to keep company with taxol, vancomycin, and eribulin. Along the way they get into the pivot from solid-phase to solution-phase peptide synthesis, the perpetual headache of sourcing non-canonical amino acids and how biocatalysis cracked it open, and the crystallization detective…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

15 Jul 2026 · 27 min
SE5:E2: The Macrocyclic Mullet
What happens when the textbook SAR playbook stops working? On this episode of Pharm to Table , Rob Garbaccio joins Dani and LC to share the discovery story behind enlicitide (MK-0616), a journey filled with unusual SAR, creative problem-solving, and plenty of chemistry twists along the way. From issue-driven drug design to non-canonical amino acids and modular synthesis strategies, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how real medicines are discovered. If you're training as a chemist today, this is a story you won't want to miss. If you enjoyed this chapter of the enlicitide…
S5 · E1 · 18 May 2026 · 41 min
SE5:E1 - A Journey of Synthetic Chemistry Innovations at Merck
To kick off Season 5, Dani and LC discuss a recent perspective published in the Journal of Organic Chemistry that highlights innovations in synthetic chemistry which trace their origins to the work of discovering, developing and commercializing novel therapeutics. This publication was the most accessed paper published in JOC in 2025! Dani and LC explore the motivations on writing it, its main thesis and lesson learned from reexamining nearly 75 years of chemistry innovations at Merck. Be sure to listen through to the very end for a special Season 5 theme reveal! Read and listen to some of…
23 Mar 2026 · 31 min
SE4:E8: From Discovery to Process, Part 2: Getting Ugi with it - scaling a 3CL protease inhibitor
In Part 2 of our Pharm to Table deep dive on MK‑7845, Dani and LC shift from invention to implementation, welcoming process chemists Nastaran Salehi Marzijarani and Ben Turnbull to the pod. We explore how the team re‑imagined the synthesis to enable robust, scalable supply—and why a classic multicomponent reaction you probably remember from school, the Joullié–Ugi reaction , ended up stealing the show. Along the way, we unpack route selection trade‑offs, lifecycle thinking in process chemistry, and what it really takes to bring an antiviral to life at scale. Read and listen to some of the…
S4 · E11 · 2 Feb 2026 · 29 min
SE4:E7: From Discovery to Process, Part 1: Building a 3CL Protease Inhibitor Through Smart Fluorine Placement and Design Intuition
In this first installment of our two‑part Pharm to Table special on MK‑7845, Dani and LC sit down with medicinal chemist Valerie Shurtleff to unpack the discovery journey behind this 3CL protease inhibitor—from early structural insights to an unexpectedly effective difluorobutyl isostere. Val walks us through how the team balanced potency, VLE, metabolic challenges, and design intuition to land on a well‑rounded preclinical candidate - one of the most dynamic programs of her career. Along the way, she reminds us why asking good questions, collaborating relentlessly, and occasionally…
10 Nov 2025 · 31 min
SE4:E6 - Mechanism-Driven Innovation in Process Research: Yining Ji Chen’s Road as a Rising Star
Join us for a conversation with Yining Ji Chen, recipient of the 2025 ACS Rising Star Award, on how mechanistic insight powers innovation in pharmaceutical process research. We dive into her career journey and standout projects—from Pd-catalyzed C–N coupling for HCV therapy to dynamic phosphorylation in nucleotide synthesis—plus her creation of LED‑NMR for real-time photochemical reaction monitoring. Hear how deep mechanistic understanding drives robustness and safety, why she moved to the Data‑Rich Measurements group, and which emerging analytical technologies excite her most. A celebration…
S4 · E5 · 13 Oct 2025 · 37 min
SE4:E5 - Evolution of a Green Chemistry Trailblazer
In this episode, Dani and LC welcome Jeff Moore, recipient of the 2025 ACS Affordable Green Chemistry Award, to discuss his pioneering work in biocatalysis at Merck. The conversation explores the evolution (pun intended) of biocatalytic processes in pharmaceutical manufacturing, highlighting key milestones such as the adoption of transaminases and imine reductases, and their impact on drug synthesis and sustainability. Jeff shares stories from his career, including how being 'lazy' when doing science can lead to major innovations and the practical benefits of enzyme-driven chemistry. He even…
S4 · E4 · 19 Aug 2025 · 36 min
SE4:E4 - MedChem Masters: Molecules, Mentors and Mindsets
In this episode, Dani and LC interview Dr. Shane Krska, recipient of the ACS Arthur C. Cope Award, and Dr. Petr Vachal, recipient of the ACS Earle B. Barnes Award for Leadership in Chemical Research Management. Shane shares his pioneering work in catalytic methods and high-throughput experimentation (HTE) for drug discovery, while Petr discusses his leadership role driving innovation at Merck. They reflect on their career journeys from graduate school to industry, emphasizing personal growth and the importance on taking on diverse roles. We wrap it up by asking Shane and Petr what has made…
S4 · E3 · 19 May 2025 · 34 min
S4:E3 - London Calling ... Spirocycles
This month we sit down with Damien Valette, Olivia Boyd and David Petrone to chat about their latest paper in Organic Letters on the desymmetrization of prochiral dienones to control all-carbon quaternary centers. This reaction leverages biocatalysis, specifically an ene-reductase [ERED] enzymes (which are making their second appearance on the pod - see S1:E5 ). David, Damien and Olivia walk us through the discovery of the reaction and why it's uniquely suited to set these challenging stereocenters. This work was done in the context of work at the med-chem/process interface which we explore…
21 Apr 2025 · 27 min
S4:E2 - Making Sulfur Smell like Success!
Join us on the Pharm to Table podcast for a delightful chat with Ethan Wappes from our South San Francisco site, as we dive into the exciting world of thiophene synthesis! Ethan is a member of our Discovery Process Chemistry group and worked alongside medicinal chemists to devise a better synthetic route towards substituted thiophenes. Ethan shares insights from his recent Org. Lett. on a novel Rh-catalyzed [3+2] method that opens the door to highly substituted dihydrothiophenes, enhancing our medicinal chemistry toolkit. We explore how this strategy not only simplifies complex thiophene…
27 Jan 2025 · 29 min
S4:E1 Chemistry Unplugged: Listener Q&A and Future Insights
We're kicking off Season 4 (holy cow!) by having a lively discussion answering listener questions on everything from our favorite Boc deprotection methods to the role of AI in the world of chemistry. We also share how flow chemistry is being used in discovery and process chemistry and conclude with what we feel would be disruptive chemistry innovations that could shape 2025. Plus, find out how you can influence the conversation by sharing what you want to hear more of in 2025!
S3 · E12 · 18 Nov 2024 · 36 min
S3:E10 - Look what ADCs made us do
Antibody drug conjugates, or ADCs, are all the rage in the industry right now and chemists play an important role in their development. This month we sat down with Serge Ruccolo and Marion Emmert to talk about their papers in this area. Their work addresses two main challenges of ADC development: 1) potent handling of cytotoxic payloads and 2) selective unmasking of cysteine residues to enable conjugation to the antibody. Tune in to hear how one develops these chemistries; How electrochemistry and microfluidics can be useful tools for the chemistry of these important molecules. You'll learn…
17 Oct 2024 · 33 min
S3:E9 - Surfing peptide production by going with the flow
Ready to go with the flow? Then this episode is for you! In this episode, we dive into the exciting world of Continuous-Flow Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis (CF-SPPS) with special guests Kyle Ruhl and Mike DiMaso. We kick off the episode with a brief overview on various techniques used to synthesize peptides and how each method fits within the drug discovery/development timeline. From there, we serve up their recent paper on leveraging flow to synthesize peptides - exploring the challenges they faced, such as accommodating resin swelling and optimizing synthesis times. We do our best to shield…
S3 · E8 · 16 Sep 2024 · 26 min
S3:E8 - So you think you want to start a chemistry podcast?
Join Dani and LC as they peel back the layers on podcasting in chemistry. This insightful episode dives into their recently published Organic Letters editorial "Should You Start a Chemistry Podcast?" with special contributor and corresponding author Matt Horwitz from Synthesis Workshop sharing his unique perspective. But that's not all - get ready for an artistic twist as Brendan Burkett from Chemscrapes reveals how he transforms chemistry concepts into visually striking designs for the chemistry community (including CEN!). Whether you're an aspiring podcaster, a chemistry communicator, or…
S3 · E8 · 5 Aug 2024 · 25 min
S3:E7 - Your Rx for a Pharma Job: Insider Secrets (Part 2)
Time for the main course! Our #MerckChemistry hiring experts are dishing out more savory tips to help you get hired in pharma. In this second part, they'll guide you through mastering the job talk, nailing those crucial on-site interviews, and evaluating offers strategically. Learn how to deliver an engaging presentation, handle tough questions, and leave a lasting impression. Get advice on navigating those 1:1 interviews with poise. Once you've aced the interviews, find out how to weigh compensation packages and negotiate the most appetizing offer for your career growth. Whether you're a…
S3 · E6 · 10 Jul 2024 · 27 min
S3:E6 - Your Rx for a Pharma Job: Insider Secrets (Part 1)
Looking to kickstart your career in the pharmaceutical industry? This episode is a must-listen! We have special guests Jamie McCabe Dunn, Val Shurtleff and our very own Dani Schultz - hiring managers in Discovery and Process Chemistry - to share insider tips. In part 1 we talk about building a rock-solid network, crafting a standout CV that gets noticed, and acing those crucial first interviews. We also answer listener questions submitted on LinkedIn. Whether you're a fresh grad or an experienced pro, our experts will give you the competitive edge to land your dream job in pharma! Plus, stay…
S3 · E5 · 5 Jun 2024 · 35 min
S3:E5 - When Robots Work-It-Up!
Alexandra Sun and Harrison Rose join the pod to share their work on a vision-guided automated liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) platform. That's right, before our robot overlords overtake us, they are going to help chemists and engineers with work-ups first! Even though it's often taken for granted, liquid-liquid extractions are part of virtually every chemical reaction for product isolation. Developing these unit operations is critical to chemists and engineers who design processes and Harrison and Alex's new tool can help expedite this. We also asked them for their secret to developing the…
S3 · E4 · 22 Apr 2024 · 21 min
S3:E4 - "Asta La Vista, Baby" - The Aminator
Patrick Fier and Suhon Kim join the pod to share their lates collaboration on a new C-N cross-coupling protocol which leverages a novel multifunctional template reagent. The work emerged from a side-project that started many years ago on the creation of the "Aminator" reagent which inspired the latest reaction. The couplings have very broad scope and Suhong and Patrick explain their motivation for pursuing the work and insights about the reaction enabled by this reagent. We learned a lot on this episode, and we hope you do too! Read the papers we discussed today: ⁠Transition-Metal-Free C–N…
S3 · E3 · 20 Feb 2024 · 35 min
S3:E3 - A chemist, a physicist and an enzyme walk into a bar...
Nadine Kuhl (process chemist) and Jacob Forstater (engineer and physicist) join the pod to share a pretty neat story that had its origins from a chemical catalog brochure advertising a new and green solvent called Cyrene. From that brochure blossomed a really amazing biocatalytic transamination to make a key chiral amine building block. In order to make this process more robust and tolerant of organic solvents, the team immobilized the transaminase enzyme and leveraged a Spinchem rotating bed reactor (we also had no idea what this was, but now we do) to make a robust process. We learned a…
S3 · E2 · 15 Jan 2024 · 35 min
S3:E2 - Barton-McCombie Beware!
Charles Yeung (@Charles_chem) joins the pod to share some of the latest results from a collaboration with Prof. Wickens' lab (@WickensGroup) at the University of Wisconsin Madison. In their latest paper published in Angewandte Chemie, they disclose a practical and general protocol for alcohol dehydrogenation - putting the Barton-McCombie on notice! The work was supported by a Merck post-doctoral fellow, Myriam Mikhael (@MyriaMikhael), who shares her experience as an industrial PDF. Read the papers we discussed today: Practical and General Alcohol Deoxygenation Protocol - ACIE Translating…
11 Dec 2023 · 20 min
S3.E1: All I Want for the holidays are cross-couplings, collaborations and cookies!!
For our special Holiday extravaganza, Dani and LC share their holiday plans before diving into the cookie jar of questions from some of our favorite listeners! How is R&D in industry similar to and different from how research is done in academia? (@DrSauce96) What is the most annoying academic misconception about work in the pharmaceutical industry? (@Teachforaliving) What things do you wish you knew before starting in industry ? (@lifeof_dan) What is your favorite coupling reaction to run? Doesn’t have to be one you use most or the one with the broadest scope, just the one you look forward…
17 Jul 2023 · 35 min
S2.E8: Peptides, Cross-Electrophile Coupling and Maple Syrup!
For this month's episode, Dani and LC serve up a recently published JACS article on Ni-catalyzed pyridinium cross-electrophile coupling for non-canonical amino acid synthesis and peptide late-stage functionalization which was done in collaboration with Professor Mary Watson’s group. In this episode, Dani and LC share the importance of investing in non-canonical amino acid chemistry with #MerckChemistry scientists Amélie Dion and Dipa Kalyani. We discuss what drew them to pyridinium cross-electrophile coupling and how Professor Watson’s expertise enabled the extension of this chemistry…
15 Jun 2023 · 30 min
S2.E7: So Far, So Cyanide: Green, air-tolerant and robust cyanation reactions.
For this month's episode, Dani and LC go all in on Ni-catalyzed cyanations with Caleb Hethcox who recently published 2 papers on the topic - one with a phenomenal intern, Geraldo Duran-Camacho. Caleb shares how the internal team first identified this challenge and the solutions they explored to replace precious metal catalysts for cyanation reactions! Ultimately, the team identified a Ni-catalyzed system (go base metals!) and depending on the application, different reduction conditions which led to the different publications. As part of Merck's Future Talents Program, Caleb was joined by…
22 May 2023 · 31 min
S2:E6 - The Catalysis Laboratory at Merck: 20 Years of Catalyzing Innovation (Part 3)
Dr. Becky Ruck joins Dani and LC for the grand finale of our journey reviewing the history of the Merck Catalysis Laboratory. She highlights how her background in physical organic chemistry led to deeper role of understanding mechanism and kinetics in development of reactions - a strength of Becky's which ultimately influenced the direction of the Catalysis group. Becky also gives a forward looking perspective as leader of the Process Research & Development Enabling Technologies organization where her team is taking on small molecules, biologics and vaccines! Read the paper we discussed…
S2 · 24 Apr 2023 · 10 min
Snack: The Catalysis Laboratory at Merck - 20 Years of Catalyzing Innovation (Part 2)
L.-C. and Dani talk about the next era in the Catalysis Lab's evolution, highlighting the democratization of high-throughput experimentation tools for end-users and the development of nanomole-scale HTE. It was also in this period that the Catalysis Laboratory's expanded its capabilities in photochemistry developing screening tools to invent and scale-up novel photochemical synthetic methods, including decatungstate mediate reactions and photoredox catalysis. Read the paper we discussed today here: The Catalysis Laboratory at Merck: 20 Years of Catalyzing Innovation - ACS Catalysis…
S2 · E3 · 10 Apr 2023 · 37 min
S2:E5 - The Catalysis Laboratory at Merck: 20 Years of Catalyzing Innovation (Part 1)
In this month's episode, and our 1st of 3 parts dedicated the 20th anniversary of Merck's Catalysis Laboratory, Dani and L.-C. sit down and chat with Shane Krska (@swkrska) who was one of the founding members of the Catalysis Laboratory. Shane walks us through the genesis of the group, its early impact on our projects and people. In this first 10 years of the laboratory, there was a heavy focus on asymmetric hydrogenation and cross-coupling, as well as developing all the tools necessary to rapidly identify reaction conditions using high-throughput experimentation, all of which helped shape…
S2 · E4 · 28 Feb 2023 · 35 min
S2.E4: The Total Synthesis of Darobactin A (or is it Davobactin?)
For this month's episode, Dani and LC dive into the challenges of strained cyclic peptide synthesis with Niki Patel and Dave Petrone who recently completed the total synthesis of Darobactin A in collaboration with Professor Sarlah's group at UIUC. Now this wasn't Merck's first foray into natural product total synthesis, in fact Darobactin A is part of a rich legacy of total syntheses at Merck that spans 80 years! Niki and Dave share how the internal Merck team first envisioned putting this molecule together - including how to construct the complex non-canonical amino acids and ultimately how…
S2 · E3 · 22 Dec 2022 · 25 min
S2.E3: All I Want for Christmas Is Candy, Chainsaws, Chemistry and ANSWERS!
For our special Holiday extravaganza, Dani and LC reminisce about the holidays while in grad school (think candy throw downs and chainsaws) before diving into the cookie jar of questions from some of our favorite listeners! What is a good way to figure out if you'd be a better fit for a medicinal chemistry or process chemistry role? (@billthechemist) What do you know now that you wished you knew during your undergraduate or early graduate school? (@MichaelAxiotes) How is pregnancy and parenthood handled in industry? (@EleanorMLandwe1) How do you decide with whom you collaborate with in…
S2 · E2 · 7 Dec 2022 · 36 min
S2.E2: Enabling medicinal chemistry knowledge exchange with #ChemistryWizards (not trolls)
For S2E2, we’re joined by drug hunting legends Doug Beshore and Izzat Raheem who recently co-authored a recent (and popular) paper in J. Med. Chem. on building a culture of knowledge exchange. Ironically, it’s easier to learn through the literature than from your organization, colleagues or group members - especially if colleagues have taken on different roles. As a result, building and maintaining a culture where prior knowledge is easily accessible and updatable is paramount to a healthy learning culture. In this episode we go into the 4 pillars that made knowledge exchange with Merck…
S2 · E1 · 1 Nov 2022 · 33 min
S2.E1: No Bald Eagles We're Harmed in the Recording of this Podcast
We kick off season 2 with a bang, talking about complex molecule synthesis with John McIntosh and Nastaran Salehi. Cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) are a total synthesis fan's dream with 10 stereocenters (including 2 at phosphorus) arranged around a 13 membered macrocycle formed by 2 non-canonical nucleosides. These endogenous s econdary messenger molecules have attracted attention because of their activation of the immune system via the STING pathway. We go into all aspects of the innovative biocatalytic cascade that the team designed for their synthesis, including: 1) How a bald eagle cyclic…

About Pharm to Table

Pharm to Table is a English tech & science podcast from LC Campeau, Dani Schultz. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: LC Campeau, Dani Schultz
Language: English
Category: Tech & Science
New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 33 min
Latest episode: 11 Aug 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1572864957
Rights: LC Campeau, Dani Schultz

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