Meet our solid state experts

Here, our solid state experts, located at our Dudley, Cramlington, UK facility provide an introduction to themselves.

Solid state expert: John Mykytiuk, Solid State Manager

My name is John and I’m the Solid State Manager here at Sterling. My role is to work with the team to establish, manage, develop, integrate and expand the Solid State offering at Sterling.

I have a degree in Chemistry and a PhD is in Polymerisation Chemistry followed by two post-doctoral posts at Sussex University. I have over two decades of experience in drug development, research and solid state. Also, I have a vast amount of experience working in the CRO environment of synthesis, from grams to 50+Kg.

I help ensure that we have a clear understanding of our customers’ needs and requirements by developing relationships to ensure that the Sterling team becomes an extension of the customer’s.

Get to know John:

• My surname is Ukrainian!
• As an adult non-swimmer I learnt to SCUBA dive, which was a real challenge. Overcoming firstly my fear of water, and then putting my trust in the instructors and ‘dive buddies’ has allowed me to experience some wonderful underwater sites.

Solid state expert: Jamie Marshall, Solid State Scientist

Hi, I’m Jamie and I support the solid form development of compounds and APIs for Sterling’s new and existing solid form development projects.

I graduated with an MChem in Applied Chemistry from Northumbria University, and after graduating I worked as a Pharmaceutical Development Scientist in a solid state department for more than half a decade. This was my first real experience within the area of solid form development, and I fell in love with the subtle nuances involved with it. An eye for detail is crucial!

I recently joined the Sterling team to help generate a range of educational solid form development resources. I support the research and development team, and the analytical team, in the operation of solid state instrumentation and have aided our investigations into the development of existing crystallisation processes.

Get to know Jamie:

• I helped to fund and perform in shows that were taken to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival whilst studying for my MChem. These were fantastic experiences, helping to boost my overall confidence, even if the audience didn’t always share my enthusiasm.

Solid state expert: Andrew Blythe-Dickens, Solid State Scientist

I’m Andrew and I work with the team as a Solid State Scientist at Sterling. My role is to support our solid form development of API candidates moving towards early phase clinical studies, bridging the gap between chemical synthesis and drug product development.

I graduated with an MChem in Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry from Newcastle University, and have nearly a decade of experience working with pharmaceutical CMOs.

I have a wide range of experience in chemical manufacture and solid form development and oversee a range of processes. From improvement programmes, drug substance pre-formulation studies and crystallisation development to streamlining final stage synthesis and delivering projects to required specifications.

Get to know Andrew:

• As part of the North East Staffordshire Bull Terrier club, I have helped train young puppies and dogs, which ended up as local show prize winners.

Watch our latest solid form webinar from our solid state experts here.