Bringing Chemistry to Life

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Conversations with the brightest chemical minds — Join us in educational chats with some of the most fascinating and influential scientists in the world. Learn about their personal stories, notable contributions, and an enthusiasm for discovery that unites them all. Covering various fields and industries, this is a podcast for anyone who wants to learn more about science and the brilliant minds advancing it.

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57 episodes
Updated Oct 23, 2024

Episodes57

Newest first

Oct 23, 2024 · 2 min
The last element – signing off with gratitude
After five incredible seasons of amazing guests and sharing captivating conversations, the time has come to conclude Bringing Chemistry to Life. In this final message from the series’ creator and host, Paolo, he recalls how the series began, the impact it has had on him, as well as how grateful he is to you, the listener, who have made the series possible.
Oct 2, 2024 · 33 min
Plastic electronics, digitized materials, and other sustainable solutions
Startup companies often focus on a specific technology they think will meet market needs. However, Dr. Zlatka Stoeva, Co-founder and Managing Director of DZP Technologies, will tell you that identifying a market need and coming up with the chemistry and technology to satisfy it is the better approach. Meet this intriguing chemist with a unique past and a bright future whose work aims to provide sustainable material solutions to a variety of real-world problems.
Sep 11, 2024 · 34 min
The rise and adoption of biocatalysis
Directed evolution and enzyme catalysis have opened up new possibilities for synthetic organic chemistry. Dr. Todd Hyster, Professor of Chemistry and Principal Investigator of the Hyster Lab at Princeton University, uses engineered enzymes in chemical synthesis, expanding the chemist’s toolkit, and enabling radical chemical transformations that traditional methods can’t achieve. In this conversation, Todd and Paolo connect like old friends and share some amazing insights.
Aug 21, 2024 · 33 min
The metrology aspects of PFAS
The persistence of PFAS chemicals and their implications to the environment and our health are hot topics. But, there is so much more to understand about these chemicals. What are PFAS exactly? How can we tell whether the measurements in each study are accurate and comparable to those in other studies? Great science is being done by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) and Dr. Jessica Reiner, Research Chemist at NIST, to help us arrive at more reliable data. She and her team
Jul 31, 2024 · 33 min
The most interesting man in chemistry
A chemist is not the profession most would guess when first meeting Matt Giese, and perhaps that’s because it wasn’t his first, second, or even third profession. Join us for this phenomenal conversation with Matt, Senior Scientist at Vector Laboratories, where he takes us through his very non-traditional career journey and shares lessons learned along the way. Now working to develop technologies to make antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), we dive into the chemistry of ADCs and the tightrope balance
Jul 12, 2024 · 33 min
Empowering women in the chemical industry
Kylie Wittl and Amelia Greene, co-founders of Women in Chemicals (WIC) met first as supplier and client but quickly connected over the gender gap they saw in the chemicals industry, the negative frame around chemicals, the need for more females in leadership positions, and the increased visibility to the women who were already in senior roles. They got to work and created WIC to give women a voice, resources, and improved opportunities in the industry. We'll talk about the ripple effect of their
Jun 19, 2024 · 33 min
An expert-guided tour of battery chemistry
Battery expert and consultant, Dr. Heather Platt got interested in battery chemistry during her undergraduate studies and has been headlong in the battery industry ever since. During this great conversation with Paolo, she reviews the critical history of battery chemistry before discussing its current state. Lithium- vs. sodium-ion battery chemistry, the horizon for solid state batteries, global dynamics of the battery industry, and more is covered. Plus, Heather even shares her vision for the f
May 15, 2024 · 6 min
Mid-season reveal: new episodes on battery tech, PFAS, and sustainability coming soon
We may be five seasons in, and we’re just getting started. In this special mid-season message, Paolo reminds us that Bringing Chemistry to Life is all about showcasing diverse areas of chemistry and shining a light on the people behind interesting science. Check out past episodes for a treasure trove of inspiring content and subscribe to get new episodes as they drop. Come join us for the ride!
Apr 3, 2024 · 31 min
The life-altering impact of one chemist’s sabbatical
Dr. Monte Helm is not just an educator, but a life-long learner who embodies the true spirit of academic curiosity. With over 30 years of experience in research and teaching, his flexibility and willingness to take the scenic route; postdoctoral research roles, Deputy Director at a national laboratory and a couple of sabbaticals, made all the difference. In this episode, Paolo chats with Monte Helm, a respected Professor of Chemistry at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City about his jou
Mar 13, 2024 · 35 min
Cross-coupling, catalysis and one chemist’s move to tech
Chemistry is a family affair with Dr. Alan Dyke, but instead of choosing an academic route like his dad and brother, he ventured into the technology industry. His story is a must listen for any chemist considering a commercial role. Currently VP of Business Development for ProChem Inc., Alan realized that instead of abandoning his scientific expertise, he could combine it with his commercial skills to take technology in new directions. A longtime friend and former colleague of Paolo’s, Alan get
Feb 21, 2024 · 33 min
Flip the script. Meet your host, Paolo.
In this special episode of Bringing Chemistry to Life, we turn the spotlight on our host Paolo Braiuca and put him in the guest chair. Paolo is not only a skilled bioorganic chemist and a Director of Global Market Development at Thermo Fisher Scientific, but he also has the gift of authenticity and accessibility that shines through his own story. He shares his personal journey from dreams of being an NBA star, to leading a startup R&D team, to switching to the “dark side” and a career in marketi
Jan 31, 2024 · 33 min
Shining a photochemical light on undergraduate research
Meet reluctant professor turned passionate educator, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Izzy Lamb. Lamb, who teaches at Fort Lewis College shares his zig zag path from punk to professor, and tells us how it’s his mission to make scientists by teaching how to think and understand the relationship of chemistry to the world around them. When not teaching, Lamb conducts research on photocatalysis and photochemistry, with the aim of contributing to a sustainable, greener future. His passion is contagi
Jan 12, 2024 · 33 min
A high-performance career in liquid chromatography
He loved rock and roll, but chemistry and chromatography became his jam. In this episode, you’ll meet rock star chemist, Frank Steiner, Thermo Fisher Scientific's Senior Manager of Product Applications and Scientific Advisor, an influential contributor in the field of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). He shares the pressures of testing pre and post launch HPLC products and the excitement of anticipating their impact. Any chemist can relate to the fundamental importance of chromat
Dec 20, 2023 · 34 min
AI and the man catalyzing a bio-revolution
How does one scientist’s passion for computer gaming shortcuts lead to a unique computational approach to chemical catalysis and become the basis for a bio-revolution? We ask Ahir Pushpanath, Enzyme Technology Innovation Lead at Basecamp Research, to explain. He reveals how his global childhood, an insatiable need to explore the unknown and remove bias from data sets from global exploration, resulted in a mission to produce a protein for every possible function. In this episode, we understand ho
Nov 29, 2023 · 34 min
Batteries unplugged: past, present and the electrifying future
Laptops, phones, cars all need batteries – making them essential to our everyday lives. But sustainable battery innovation is critical to a greener future and it’s what drives entrepreneur and innovator Simon Engelke. Linking research to industry, he gives his perspective on sustainability, geopolitics, and what’s next on a global scale. Whether you get charge out of chemistry or share Simon’s passion for a better battery, don’t miss this powerful first episode of Season 5 of Bringing Chemistry
Aug 9, 2023 · 35 min
The most famous unknown — the periodic table
In this finale to season 4 we have an exceptional guest in Eric Scerri, a distinguished expert on the history and philosophy of chemistry. The thought-provoking conversation brings into question what really defines an element and if we truly understand the periodic table of elements and what it represents. This is a guest and an episode you’ll remember!
Jul 19, 2023 · 32 min
C.R.E.A.M. – Chemistry rules everything around me
In this episode we talk with Cate Levey about her unique career path that’s allowed her to work with and influence very diverse composite materials. Her ability to consider and influence nano-scale chemistry to control macro-scale properties has allowed her to contribute meaningfully to products as varied as building products and food. Join us to meet Cate and hear her story.
Jun 28, 2023 · 34 min
The electrifying chemistry of the nitrogen cycle
In this episode we revisit a topic from Season 1 with a fresh guest, Matthew Liu. Specifically, we take a hard look at the complex topic of nitrogen reduction. The conversation dives into the fundamental importance of this process for life, and how we have to become better at finding sustainable ways to recover nitrogen to create a circular economy. Matthew tells us about his work using electrocatalysis toward this goal.
Jun 7, 2023 · 33 min
From an F in chemistry to 40 years in chemicals
Join us for a conversation with one of our own. We talk with Simon Pierce, who’s had a storied career in the chemicals market over the past 40 year. Simon has a compelling personal story and has seen it all. What’s more, he shares it all in an entertaining way that will have you wanting to share a pint him.
May 17, 2023 · 32 min
Electronics for the human body
This discussion with Dr. Helen Tran explores the intersection of electronics and biotechnology and helps to imagine how chemistry can be the bridge between these to create bio-electronics that could be harmonious with the human body. Join us to meet this innovative thinker and hear about her science as well as her philosophy science communication, the importance of mentorship, and defining success in a personal way.

Bringing Chemistry to Life

The last element – signing off with gratitude

Plastic electronics, digitized materials, and other sustainable solutions

The rise and adoption of biocatalysis

The metrology aspects of PFAS

The most interesting man in chemistry

Empowering women in the chemical industry

An expert-guided tour of battery chemistry

Mid-season reveal: new episodes on battery tech, PFAS, and sustainability coming soon

The life-altering impact of one chemist’s sabbatical

Cross-coupling, catalysis and one chemist’s move to tech

Flip the script. Meet your host, Paolo.

Shining a photochemical light on undergraduate research

A high-performance career in liquid chromatography

AI and the man catalyzing a bio-revolution

Batteries unplugged: past, present and the electrifying future

The most famous unknown — the periodic table

C.R.E.A.M. – Chemistry rules everything around me

The electrifying chemistry of the nitrogen cycle

From an F in chemistry to 40 years in chemicals

Electronics for the human body