Overview
Catalytic processes have long been a driving force across life science products, and their relevance continues to grow. Join us for a one-day symposium where leading experts from across the industry and academia share fresh insights into catalysis. Discover how catalytic strategies and products are shaping innovation today, from selecting the right catalyst to optimizing reaction modes and exploring continuous flow.
Whether you're developing sustainable pharmaceuticals, optimizing reaction conditions, or exploring continuous flow processes, this symposium offers practical insights and real-world applications. In addition to expert talks, you'll have the opportunity to network with peers. Don’t miss this opportunity to spark new ideas, exchange knowledge, and drive innovation in your work.
Key learnings for participants: - Designing efficient and sustainable pharmaceutical processes
- Designing batch and continuous processes
- Advances in heterogeneous catalysis
Agenda
The workshop will start at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, and finish at 2:30 p.m. on the same day. To see the detailed workshop program please click
here.
8:30 a.m. Registration & Light refreshments Eric Neuffer
Drug Substance Business Head – New Business Development, Evonik Health Care 9:00 a.m.Welcome & IntroductionGustavo Castro
Catalysts Business Head for South America, Evonik Catalysts Dr. Anil Saxena,
Head of Americas RD&I Open Innovation, Evonik 9:30 a.m.Heterogeneous Catalysis in Flow Chemistry & Nickel Foam ShaRee Thomas
Head of PMC, AMC, and OFC Tech Center, Evonik Catalysts 10:10 a.m.Hybrid-AI Digital Twins for Modeling & Scaling a Batch to Continuous Catalytic Hydrogenation Trevor Murray
Strategic Account Executive – Life Sciences, Basetwo AI 10:50 a.m.Overcoming the Selectivity Issue in a Nickel Catalyzed Batch Hydrogenation Dr. Michael Nonnenmacher
Director Global Business Development Differentiating Technologies for Drug Substance, Evonik Health Care 11:30 a.m.Using Interfacial Charge Separation to Understand and Control Catalysis Prof. Yogesh Surendranath
Donner Professor of Science; Professor of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 12:00 p.m. Lunch & Networking 1:00 p.m. Heterogeneous Catalysis in CC Coupling Maxim Radzhabov
Project Leader, Evonik Catalysts 1:45 p.m. Selective Oxygenate Chemistry with Solid Acid Catalysts Prof. Friederike Jentoft
Professor, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst 2:30 p.m. Conclusion of Event
