ACS Converge: Conversations on Real-World Applications of Science

• Sponsored by the American Chemical Society
• 8am-11am (Pacific Time), Online via Zoom, Free, Learn more and register

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.

Keynote speakers:

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.
Chicago Discovery Solutions

Anita Mehta is a Ph.D. from Delhi University (India) with postdoctoral research experience from SUNY at Stony Brook (USA), Manchester University (UK) and ICSN-CNRS (France). She was employed at Ranbaxy Labs, India (now Sun Pharma) for 9 years and moved up the ranks to become the Associate Director, New Drug Discovery Research (NDDR) before working for Saintlife Inc. (USA) as Chief Scientific Officer. She joined Avocet Polymer Technologies Inc. (USA) as VP, R&D in 2004 and has also worked as a Technical Services Manager at TFM plant of Freeport McMoRan (USA).

Anita is currently associated with Chicago Discovery Solutions (USA) and is working on the design of new active ruthenium metal catalysts for green and sustainable chemistry. She is an inventor/ co-inventor in 24 US patents (issued).

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, 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.