For forty years, SCI has supported and recognised the excellence of early career scientists, by aiding their studies in the form of an SCI Scholarship.
Since 1985 more than 80 scholarships have been awarded which have not only given the recipients financial assistance, but have enabled them to broaden their network, and strengthen their skills and knowledge. SCI Scholars receive access to publishing and mentoring opportunities and are given a platform to present their work amongst esteemed scientists and industrialists, raising their profile within the scientific community.
Marina was awarded an SCI Scholarship in 2023. At the end of their scholarship, SCI Scholars present a report to SCI. Read on to find out what she has done in her final year as an SCI Scholar.
“Palladium-catalysed coupling reactions are powerful carbon‑carbon and carbon‑heteroatom bond-forming reactions frequently employed in the chemical industry to synthesise key intermediates. During my SCI Scholarship, I have advanced the understanding of palladium removal processes following these transformations – an area that remains relatively understudied. Understanding how palladium can be recovered in an efficient manner not only ensures reliable processes that meet market demands for producing goods, but also yields substantial economic and environmental benefits, aligning with the sustainability goals of the chemical industry. Through a series of systematic investigations, my project delved into the complexities surrounding the choice of reagents and reaction conditions for palladium-catalysed couplings, and how these factors affect metal removal. I also explored the properties of the ligands facilitating these chemical transformations, and how these ultimately influence palladium removal. These insights were demonstrated to be impactful, with multiple case studies showcasing the applicability of my work on pharmaceutically-relevant molecules.
“During my Scholarship, I have had the opportunity to publish a review article, titled ‘Palladium Extraction Following Metal-Catalyzed Reactions: Recent Advances and Applications in the Pharmaceutical Industry’ (Org. Process Res. Dev. 2023, 27, 9, 1585–1615). My review on the application of metal removal methods in the pharmaceutical industry was one of the most read papers in the journal in 2023 and has led to a number of fruitful discussions with industrial scientists. I am also currently preparing a manuscript on my work, which focuses on understanding and improving the reliability of metal removal processes on scale.
“The funding provided by the SCI Scholarship has enabled me to present my work at international conferences, to audiences comprising both industrial and academic scientists. By reaching an audience beyond my field of expertise, I have been able to draw inspiration from innovative research techniques used in other areas of chemical science, and apply them to my own work. Additionally, I have benefitted greatly from interactions with seasoned scientists who have provided insights into the practical applicability of my research, and gave me guidance on how to adapt it to better suit industry needs. One of the highlights of my Scholarship experience was traveling to San Diego for the American Chemical Society’s Spring Meeting, where I presented as part of the Cross Coupling Reactions technical programme. It was truly inspiring to be amongst so many scientists who are pushing the frontiers of their discipline through their work. I particularly enjoyed the ‘First Time Disclosures’ session, where new clinical compounds were showcased for the first time. Learning about new emergent modalities and evolving drug discovery platforms was truly fascinating.
“Having completed the practical work for my PhD, I have now started full-time employment as a Senior Scientist at GSK, where I will be starting my career as a Process Development scientist. The skills and knowledge gained during my PhD have proven valuable in my new role, enabling me to contribute immediately to projects.
“I enjoyed presenting my talk, entitled ‘Harnessing the power of high-throughput experimentation and modelling to improve the understanding of metal removal processes in the chemical industry’ at the SCI Scholar’s Showcase last week. I demonstrated the innovative approaches I employed during my PhD to address a real-world challenge reported by several pharmaceutical companies, and highlighted the potential impact of my research.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the SCI for providing me with the opportunity to join their College of Scholars, and for their invaluable support throughout the early stages of my scientific career. Their funding and encouragement have been instrumental in enabling me to carry out impactful research and grow professionally.”
Marina Economidou, GSK/University of Strathclyde
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