Dr. Anthony Casarez is a California native, a sought-after and talented “Molecular Architect”. An expert in organocatalysis by research during his Ph.D. in the laboratory of David MacMillan, the 2021 Nobel prize laureate in Chemistry. He completed his undergrad at SFSU, did his Master's in Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh, and then joined Gilead Sciences, working for 2 years on HCV therapy (before pursuing his Ph.D.). He then came back to the Bay to work on antibiotics at Novartis in Emeryville, where he was also involved in search and evaluation and due diligence for the Novartis Venture Fund. In 2019 Anthony joined Gossamer Bio to lead an immuno-oncology program, where he holds the current title of Associate Director. He is also an industry advisor for CLSI and works with a non-profit called Health Technology Forum.

Episode Breakdown

0:00-20:18 Defining failure, making an amazing scientist, and how to date using the scientific method.

20:18-40:37 “Where’s Princeton?!”, What’s organocatalysis? The trials and tribulations of research and entering the “real world”.

40:37- 1:01:55 Research in Industry vs Academia, “Don't Look Up” and the global perspectives on science, the importance of scientific communication

1:01:55-1:12:35 Drug Design vs Development, Start-ups vs Larger Corporations, and how to be a scientific leader.

1:12:35-1:24:20: Childhood and being a budding chemist, The importance of role models, “Engineering” in the household, Utopian thoughts on research.

1:24:20-1:34:58: Closing Thoughts; “Science is true whether we believe it or not.”, Fear of silence, What’s your minor superpower?

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This episode is sponsored by Sci Find–the scientific collaboration network (www.scifind.net)