Matt D. Wessel
Matt Wessel has been a dedicated drug hunter for much of his career, but recently he has transitioned into a more results-oriented role within ThermoFisher. His background is in chemistry, and he spent many years as a computational chemist involved in structure-based drug design. One significant lesson Wessel learned from this experience is the value and power of emerging computer technologies. Wessel and teammates were utilizing AI and ML before these terms became prevalent. Predicting the activity of a small molecule in the active site of a protein is both rewarding and valuable, and witnessing one’s ideas come to fruition is a profoundly powerful experience.
The experience Wessel gained facilitated his transition to a role as a data scientist and engineer at ThermoFisher. In his current role, he is responsible for building and deploying automated systems that leverage real-time data from manufacturing equipment used to produce life-saving therapies. The data Wessel and ThermoFisher collect is used to improve the efficiency of the process. By attacking the specific areas that cause downtimes, improvements are more easily obtained, and the lagging indicator of OEE will by default improve. But determining the true root causes is where they like to operate.
It is indeed compelling that Wessel began his career at the early stages of the pipeline and has now reached the pinnacle of his career at the end of the drug pipeline, having experienced several key points along the way. Wessel is enthusiastic about the potential of AI in the drug discovery process and looks forward to continuing to contribute actively to this field for the foreseeable future.
In addition to his professional achievements, Wessel is deeply passionate about mentoring and guiding the next generation of scientists. He believes in the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences to foster innovation and growth in the field. He is actively involved in various initiatives and programs aimed at supporting young scientists and encouraging them to pursue careers in drug discovery and development. This aspect of his work brings him immense satisfaction and motivates him to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the industry.
