Back of the Napkin - Inspiring Stories from Biotech Pioneers

In this episode, we chat with Professor Kathryn (Katie) Whitehead, a renowned chemical engineer and Professor at Carnegie Mellon University. We explore Katie’s path to a career in science, her breakthroughs and innovative ideas in drug delivery, and her dedication to improving science communication. Professor Kathryn Whitehead discusses the challenges in drug delivery, including in maternal health...

In this episode of the Back of the Napkin, we dive into the world of fluorescence imaging with Luke Lavis. Known for his pioneering work at the Janelia Research Campus, Luke shares his unique journey from the woods of Oregon to the chemistry lab. Luke’s story illustrates how diverse experiences can lead to groundbreaking scientific achievements. Discover how Luke’s work has pushed the boundaries o...

In this episode of Back of the Napkin, we dive into the groundbreaking world of exosome research with liquid biomarker pioneer and founder of Exosome Diagnostics, Dr. Johan Skog. The conversation unpacks Johan's inspirational journey from a sports-enthusiast and student in Sweden to an innovator in medical science, illustrating the power of persistence and curiosity in driving scientific discovery...

Heart disease claims more lives than any other illness, marking a dire need for viable heart transplants. Yet, the sheer demand for donor hearts outstrips the supply, burdened further by complications such as organ rejection and the continuous need for immunosuppressive drugs post-transplant. Dr. Doris Taylor's pioneering endeavor in engineering bioartificial hearts addresses not just a medical un...

Kevan M. Shokat is Professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of California Berkeley (UCB), and an Investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). In this episode of Back of the Napkin reveals the pivotal moments and influences that have shaped his...

Laura Kiessling is the Novartis Professor of Chemistry at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In this episode of Back of the Napkin, beginning in Laura's art-adorned office at MIT, the conversation explores her journey from a small Wisconsin town to the pinnacles of scientific research and education at MIT. Laura's professional trajectory is a testament to her passion for science — from h...

We are delighted to announce that Season 2 is on the horizon! As we work to bring you more great conversations, let’s reflect on the most valuable discussions from a stand-out Season 1. In this episode, we revisit essential topics like ideation, collaboration, entrepreneurship, and the future of drug discovery. Subscribe to our mailing list to receive email notifications of new uploads: https://ww...

Michelle Arkin is a Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She is also a director of the Small Molecule Discovery Center (SMDC), a chemical biology and drug discovery center at UCSF. Michelle has extensive experience in the field of drug discovery and is working on new and complex challenges to demonstrate 'druggability' of new target classes....

Neal Devaraj is a Professor and Chair at the University of California San Diego. In this episode, Neal talks about the innovations he has pioneered that are advancing the field of bioorthogonal chemistry. We discuss Neal’s work synthesizing completely artificial cells, designing new tools for labeling RNA, and his contribution to “click chemistry” by developing tetrazine ligation for use in live-c...

Amy Ripka is the founder and CEO of Lucy Therapeutics. This back of the napkin conversation focuses on the importance of having the freedom to explore and generate new ideas.  The approach that Amy advocates in this podcast has led her to pivotal new discoveries, including potential new therapeutics for Parkinson’s disease and Rett syndrome. Lucy therapeutics: https://www.lucytherapeutics.com...

Alessio Ciulli is a Professor and Chair of Chemical Structural Biology at the University of Dundee, where he is also the founder and director of the Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation (CeTPD). He is also the scientific founder of Amphista Therapeutics. This conversation covers the significant moments in Alessio’s career where he began to shape an exciting new approach in drug discovery: &nbsp...

Jennifer Petter is the founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Arrakis Therapeutics. Here she discusses the moments that led up to the founding of a successful biotech company built on a remarkable new approach in drug discovery: RNA-targeting small molecules. This back of the napkin conversation covers the standout moments in Jen’s career as well as some insightful perspectives into the future of...

Matthew Disney is a Professor and Chair at the University of Florida Scripps Institute. In this podcast he discusses the origins of a new field he has pioneered – ‘Drugging RNAs with small molecules’.  The conversation covers the eureka moments, the challenges, RIBOTACs, and the opportunities that lie ahead. Disney Lab Website: https://disney.scripps.ufl.edu/ Matt’s Twitter: https://twitter.c...

A discovery is said to be an accident meeting a prepared mind, but every story behind a discovery is different. Perhaps the idea is conceived in a light bulb moment or brainstorming session or captured in scribblings on the back of a napkin. All these great game changing discoveries seem to have one thing in common...  and that is that: the pioneers, the scientists, the entrepreneurs that con...