Dr Sam Staniland - 2023 Rising Star in Industry Prize winner

Dr Sam Staniland MRSC

Winner: Rising Star in Industry Prize

AstraZeneca

For impact on the progression of multiple pharmaceutical projects by the application of bio- and chemocatalysis and high-throughput experimentation.

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Every day I feel very fortunate that I get the opportunity to work on the life-saving medicines of the future.

At AstraZeneca, Dr Staniland applies the latest technology to improve the way they make medicines. She particularly likes to use protein molecules called enzymes, which offer greener and more sustainable alternatives to make new drugs.

Read winner biography

Dr Samantha Staniland is currently Senior Scientist in High-Throughput Experimentation (HTE) at AstraZeneca in Cambridge, UK. She is responsible for growing the capabilities within the company’s medicinal chemistry department and impacting early phase projects. By using HTE approaches she combines her expertise in biocatalysis and chemocatalysis to solve synthetic challenges.

Prior to joining AstraZeneca, Samantha worked at Johnson Matthey for six years where she developed her expertise in catalysis (biocatalysis and chemocatalysis). Samantha obtained her PhD in organic chemistry at the University of Manchester in 2015 working under the supervision of Professor Jonathan Clayden and Professor Nick Turner on the enantioselective synthesis of atropisomers using biocatalysis.

Q&A

How did you first become interested in chemistry?

My chemistry teachers (Mr Beacock and Mr Hill) were inspiring, and I loved the practical element of the lessons. Classes were never dull and often ended with a bang (setting fire to hydrogen balloons, screaming jelly babies, elephant’s toothpaste etc.). I no longer get to do these kinds of experiments in my current role, but they certainly helped make chemistry fun and memorable.

Tell us about somebody who has inspired or mentored you in your career.

I have had several inspirational supervisors and mentors during my early career. This includes my supervisors and colleagues during my year in industry who taught me so much in a short time and I’ll always be thankful for the motivation and drive they gave me to pursue the career further. I am also very grateful to both my PhD supervisors Professors Jonathan Clayden and Nick Turner. Having the opportunity to work in their groups as a student was an amazing experience.

What motivates you?

Knowing that you are working on molecules that matter! I was fortunate enough to get to work on a potential treatment for an illness which my Dad suffered from. Every day I feel very fortunate that I get the opportunity to work on the life-saving medicines of the future.

Can you tell us about a scientific development on the horizon that you are excited about?

The applied biocatalysis field is evolving rapidly right now and I look forward to the discovery and development of new enzyme classes capable of carrying out novel chemistry in a more sustainable way. I think it’s great that biocatalysis is also being used now much earlier in the drug discovery process and I think the next step is to train more chemists to use enzymes like any other tool in the synthetic chemist’s toolbox.

What is your favourite element?

I’ve never really had a favourite one, however I think gallium is pretty cool because it melts in your hand and is (hopefully) non-toxic. You can also buy it online and it makes an interesting secret Santa gift!