Show Notes
In episode 12, Never Mind the Woman Behind the Curtain, we welcome Dr. Sarah Witzke, Senior Application Scientist at CCG, who spills the beans on the not-so-secret life of support scientists in drug discovery. Think of it as a behind-the-scenes tour as to why you shouldn't ignore the people behind the curtain. Sarah shares her multifaceted journey, hopping from academia to the industry, kind of like a superhero changing outfits—except her cape was probably a lab coat. She unpacks the art of juggling her responsibilities and her knack for customer interaction. Spoiler alert: building trust with clients is crucial, unless you want them to think you're just some mad scientist in a basement! They explore how remote work has flipped team communication on its head. You might think it's just a lot of Zoom calls and pajama pants, but there's more to it. Sarah reflects on her career path, her growth, and the ups and downs with impostor syndrome along the way. And to top it all off, she dishes out some golden advice for aspiring application scientists — hint: humility and adaptability are your BFFs. So, grab a snack and settle in for a fun and insightful chat that might just inspire you to embrace your inner scientist — or perhaps become one.
More from Under the Surface Podcast
Listen to the next episode of our podcast, Under the Surface. In episode 18, The FoF (Filet-O-Fish) Turning Point to OpenFF (Open Force Field), we chat with @Lily Wang, Science Lead at the Open Force Field Initiative (@OpenFF), about the unexpected, very human moment that set her on the path to computational chemistry — a cold Filet‑O‑Fish eaten at 1 a.m. after a disastrous night in the lab. Lily shares that she first wanted to study art. Still, a close friend's lupus diagnosis inspired her to choose science instead, leading to advancements in molecular simulation and force fields that benefit computational chemistry research. We also cover recent advances in molecular modeling, such as neural-network-based charge models and improved protein force fields, to excite researchers about future innovations. Topics: Lily's path from the arts to computational chemistry
*Content Warning: This episode includes discussions of trauma, loss, and near‑death experiences. Please take care while listening, and reach out to a mental health professional or someone you trust if these topics become overwhelming.* Listen to the next episode of our podcast, Under the Surface. In episode 17, Building Collaborative Drug Discovery Tools, we feature an in-depth interview with Barry Bunin, CEO of Collaborative Drug Discovery, about his journey from chemist to entrepreneur. He shares how his background and desire to make a difference have shaped his company's mission and technology. Here's what we discuss: Barry Bunin's background and what inspired his purpose
Check out the next episode of our podcast, Under the Surface. In episode 16, When Proteins Move: Woody Sherman on Computational Chemistry, Molecular Simulation, and the Future of AI in Drug Discovery, we chat with Woody Sherman, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at PsiThera, and a longtime leader in computational chemistry, about how he went from studying quantum polymers to shaping modern tools like Induced Fit Docking. Woody shares the moment that pulled him into protein simulations, his early exposure to AI at MIT, and how an internship at Biogen set him on the path to industry. He also reflects on his years at Schrödinger, building solutions, writing code, and learning how to solve real problems for scientists. Topics: How application scientists help connect research with real-world industry needs
Check out the next episode of our podcast, Under the Surface! In episode 15, Fells' Elements of Success: A Periodic Journey, we immerse ourselves in the world of chemistry and career alchemy with James Fells. From his early days as a curious freshman to his role as an Associate Director, In Silico Discovery at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, James recounts his journey through the ups and downs of the scientific realm and the importance of guidance along the way.
Welcome to the last episode of 2025 for our podcast, Under the Surface! In this episode, SVL: Santavy vs Labute - The HoliDAVE Edition, get cozy with this special holiday edition of "Under the Surface"! Chris Williams and Dave Thompson are here to share laughs, swap stories, and spread some cheer as they chat with CCG's always-jolly Principal Scientist, Martin Santavy. From the wild beginnings of programming to the everyday adventures of debugging, this episode takes you on a fun-filled ride through the world of computational chemistry. There's plenty of laughter, a sprinkle of science magic, and a whole lot of heart as we talk about the quirks of coding and the power of good communication. Whether you're a science fan or just love a great story, come join us—grab your favorite mug, settle in, and let's celebrate the season together! Listener discretion is advised. 03:45 The Journey to CCG: Early Days and Influences 10:02 The Development of SVL: A New Programming Language 14:56 Challenges and Innovations in Computational Chemistry 20:55 The Evolution of CCG and Its Market Position 22:23 Reflections on Missed Opportunities 24:25 The Evolution of Software in Chemistry 26:50 Navigating the Language of Chemistry 30:54 The Importance of Communication in Science 35:32 Debugging and Problem Solving 42:45 The Joy of Software Development 50:35 Passion for Science and Software Subscribe & listen to all episodes of our podcast: https://sites.libsyn.com/459216/underthesurface Follow us on LinkedIn & X