Description:

Dr. Nancy Sever from AbbVie will present a seminar on Applying engineering concepts in Pharmaceutical Development and Manufacturing, detailed information is given below:

Speaker: Dr. Nancy Sever, AbbVie
Title: Applying engineering concepts in Pharmaceutical Development and Manufacturing

Abstract
The objective of Pharmaceutical Development is to enable the consistent manufacture of an efficacious and stable drug product that meets appropriate quality controls. The development cycle can take several years as a compound moves from a discovery candidate to a commercial drug product. Along the way, the synthesis and isolation of the drug substance is optimized, the composition of the drug product is tailored to achieve the desired pharmacokinetic profile, the drug product manufacturing process is scaled-up and transferred to the commercial plants, and devices are designed to address key stakeholder (I.e. Patients, caregivers, Healthcare providers) needs while delivering the drug product accurately and consistently. Engineering principles play an integral part in all these processes and examples will be highlighted during the presentation. From crystallization to packaging, theoretical and empirical concepts are employed by cross-functional teams to develop and commercialize a new pharmaceutical drug product. Opportunities for better predictions and process controls still remain and can allow for flexibility after regulatory approval.

Biography
Nancy Ekdawi Sever joined Abbott/AbbVie in 2002 as Research Pharmacist in Global Pharmaceutical Research and Development. She has held several positions at Abbott/AbbVie, including Associate Director in Formulation Sciences in GPRD. In addition to project responsibilities, she lead efforts in Process Analytical Technology, Continuous Manufacturing, and Process Simulation. Nancy assumed her current role as CMC Scientific Director in Global Pharmaceutical R&D in 2014. Nancy received a PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering from University of Wisconsin – Madison and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University.

Date & Time: Thursday, November 19th 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Location: Tech LR4 (refreshments will be available at 8:45am)

Description:

The eighth and final ChBE seminar of the Fall Quarter will be Thursday, December 3rd at 9am in LR4. Dr. Eranda Nikolla from Wayne State University will present a seminar titled, “Molecular approaches toward the development of efficient catalysts for electrochemical energy conversion ” detailed information is given below:

Speaker: Dr. Eranda Nikolla, Wayne State University
Title: Molecular approaches toward the development of efficient catalysts for electrochemical energy conversion

Abstract
Dwindling fuel resources and high levels of CO2 emissions have increased the need for renewable energy resources and more efficient energy conversion and storage systems. The goal of our research group is to design active, selective and stable electrocatalysts and catalysts for energy generation and storage technologies. We employ a combined experimental and theoretical approach, including various spectroscopies, microscopies and quantum chemical calculations to study processes at the gas/solid and liquid/solid interfaces with the aim of guiding the development of efficient and environmentally friendly materials for chemical energy conversion and storage.

In this presentation, I will discuss our work on developing active and stable electrocatalysts for electrolysis of stable molecules such as H2O using solid oxide electrolysis cells. DFT calculations are employed to identify the chemical/electrochemical steps that limit the activity and stability of the electrocatalysts for this process and devise ways to improve their performance. I will also discuss our efforts to develop stable O2-electrode materials for Li-air batteries. While Li-air battery is a promising energy storage technology, its commercial application is limited by the performance of the O2-electrode. We have employed microscopic, spectroscopic and electro-kinetic measurements to shed light on the elementary processes that limit the performance these systems. Based on this understanding, we have devised ways to improve their performance by molecularly engineering O2-electrode materials. Lastly, I will discuss our efforts in developing heterogeneous catalysts for epimerization of sugars, an important chemistry toward synthesis of rare sugars.

Biography
Eranda Nikolla is an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at Wayne State University. Her research interests lie in the development of heterogeneous catalysts and electrocatalysts for chemical conversion processes and electrochemical systems (i.e., fuel cells, electrolyzers) using a combination of experimental and theoretical techniques. Dr. Nikolla received her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from University of Michigan in 2009 working with Prof. Suljo Linic and Prof. Johannes Schwank in the area of solid-state electrocatalysis. She conducted a two-year postdoctoral work at California Institute of Technology with Prof. Mark E. Davis prior to joining Wayne State University. At Caltech she developed expertise in synthesis and characterization of meso/microporous materials and functionalized surfaces. Dr. Nikolla is the recipient of a number of awards including the National Science Foundation CAREER Award, the Department of Energy CAREER Award and the Young Scientist Award from the International Congress on Catalysis.

Date & Time: Thursday, December 3rd 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Location: Tech LR4 (refreshments will be available at 8:45am)