Episode 58: Dr. Benjamin List on Organocatalysis

Nobel laureate Dr. Benjamin List is one of the directors of the Max Planck Institute for Coal Research and professor of organic chemistry at the University of Cologne. On top of that, he is known for pioneering a brand new field of chemistry, organocatalysis, which is now used in nearly all pharmaceutical industries. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by David Alvia, hosts Jasmine Winter and Elizabeth Li dive into our interview with Dr. List as he shares his journey to earning the 2021 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, his recent investigations into a unique way of splitting CO2, and more. We hope you enjoy!

Microbial fuel cells use bacteria to convert chemical energy stored in organic matter into electrical energy. This allows environmental engineers to produce sustainable energy while treating wastewater! In this episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry, edited by Emma Stewart, hosts Jasmine Winter and John Strojny talk about our interview with Dr. Bruce Logan, Professor of Environmental Engineering and Director of the Institute of Energy and Environment at Penn State. From microbial fuel cells to marine snow, Dr. Bruce Logan shares his discoveries and insights on renewable energy and discusses the future of environmental engineering. We hope you enjoy!

What are the advantages and limitations of organic materials, inorganic materials, or hybrid materials that combine both? How do the properties of these different materials influence their applications in academia and industry? On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by David Alvia, hosts Erin Suh, Aanya Santosh, and Elizabeth Li delve deeper into these questions and more with Dr. Seth Marder, Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Director of the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute at the University of Colorado Boulder. Dr. Marder shares his work on characterizing the optical and electrical properties of chiral materials, as well as some valuable insights on collaboration and creativity. We hope you enjoy!

Phil Cook, also known as @ChemTeacherPhil, has captivated millions with his engaging and explosive science experiments on TikTok. As a seasoned chemistry teacher at Culver Academies, Phil makes complex scientific concepts accessible and entertaining for a global audience. In this episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry, edited by Presley Vu, hosts Amber Bakkum and Neel Youts delve into Phil’s journey from a traditional educator to a social media influencer. They discuss his innovative approach to science communication, the challenges of content creation, and the impact of digital platforms on education. Whether you’re a science enthusiast, an educator, or simply curious about the fusion of education and social media, this episode offers insightful perspectives on the evolving landscape of learning. We hope you enjoy!

Nobel laureate Dr. Morten Meldal, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Copenhagen, revolutionized the field of chemistry with his pioneering work on click chemistry—earning him the 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Jason Lu and Neel Youts dive into our interview with Dr. Meldal, exploring his journey from molecular modeling to groundbreaking discoveries in peptide synthesis and bioorthogonal chemistry. Dr. Meldal shares insights into the applications of click chemistry in drug development, material science, and even green chemistry solutions. From his experiences at the Carlsberg Laboratory to the moment he received the Nobel Prize, Dr. Meldal reflects on his career, collaborations, and the future of chemistry. We hope you enjoy!

Dr. Gaurav “Gino” Giri, Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Virginia, is pioneering research in crystallization and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). On this exciting episode of Let's Talk Chemistry, hosts Erin and Aanya discuss their interview with Dr. Giri about his groundbreaking work in MOF-based air filtration masks, drug delivery systems, and carbon capture technology. From his innovative startup tackling air pollution to his insights on balancing academic research with entrepreneurship, Dr. Giri shares his journey and vision for using chemistry to solve global challenges. We hope you enjoy!

Dr. Tashica Amirgholizadeh is a patent litigator at Gilead Sciences who combines her passion for chemistry with the law. She obtained her PhD in Chemistry at the California Institute of Technology and her JD at the University of California Berkeley School of Law. She shares her unique career journey and her responsibilities at Gilead. We hope you enjoy!

Dr. Benjamin Hsiao, Professor of Chemistry at Stony Brook University, is a renowned scientist in the fields of polymer science, materials chemistry, and nanotechnology. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Emma Stewart, hosts Erin Suh and Elizabeth Li discuss our interview with Dr. Benjamin Hsiao. He shares his career journey, passion for global energy solutions, and more. We hope you enjoy!

Dr. Adina Paytan, Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of California Santa Cruz, is an ocean chemist who works on various topics—including earth materials and biogeochemical processes. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts John Strojny and Jasmine Winter discuss our interview with Dr. Adina Paytan. She shares her career journey and passion for climate science. We hope you enjoy!

Dr. Mark Tuckerman, Professor of Chemistry and Mathematics at New York University, is a theoretical chemist who works on various topics—including nuclear quantum effects, fuel cells, and crystal structure prediction. On this exciting episode of Let’s Talk Chemistry edited by Presley Vu, hosts Erin Suh and Elizabeth Li discuss our interview with Dr. Mark Tuckerman. He shares his current research interests, machine learning in chemistry, and more. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Tuckerman, you can reach him by email at [email protected].