2025 EAST- CACS Annual Symposium

Amy graduated from Peking University with bachelor’s degree in chemistry and University of Washington with Ph.D. in analytical chemistry. Amy spent her entire pharmaceutical career in BMS with ~20 years experiences in Analytical R&D/Regulated Testing under Pharmaceutical Development (PD) and ~7 years in Global Regulatory Science CMC (GRS-CMC). She was analytical project lead for many projects and CMC integrated team lead for several projects earlier when she was in Product Development. She has been responsible for CMC global submissions for many clinical development projects and several commercial products include initial marketing applications and post-approval applications. She is currently a liaison (SME) for CMC small molecule for China. In her spare time, she enjoys travel and handcraft projects.

Baoqing earned his PhD in chemistry from Peking University and did post-doctoral work on nano material in Northwestern University. Baoqing currently working in the Office of Pharmaceutical Quality under CDER/FDA with a focus on the pharmaceutical quality assessment since 2016. Before joining FDA, Baoqing worked for Bristol Myers Squibb in the formulation group of Pharmaceutical Candidate Optimization and material science group of Pharmaceutical Development. He also worked in the preformulation group in Merial, a Sanofi Company.

Diwei Shi is a multifaceted entrepreneur and technologist bridging AI and healthcare. As founder of Knewly, he develops regulatory AI agents for life sciences. During COVID, he co-founded IVD regulatory firm Mecca Consulting with former FDA reviewers and healthcare marketers, providing expert consulting on IVD medical devices for major Chinese manufacturers. His background includes roles as a software engineer and IT product manager at Barclays, Jefferies, and Merrill Lynch. 

Jaclyn Lee is a certified Global HR Business Leader, dynamic speaker, mentor, community builder, and award-winning innovator with 20+ years of cross-sector leadership experience. Recognized as a 2025 Innovate 100 honoree and one of the Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business, she is passionate about bridging talent, organizations, and opportunities in a rapidly evolving world. Her career spans Fortune 100 financial firms (AIG, MassMutual, MetLife), tech startups, top-tier management consulting (Arthur Andersen, EHMC), and mission-driven nonprofits, bringing a global, agile lens to workforce innovation, change enablement, and organizational transformation. Starting in Learning and Development, she quickly expanded into leading large-scale change initiatives across industries.

Holding certificates in AI Strategies, Data Analytics for People Operations, and Cornell’s Diversity & Inclusion for HR program, Jaclyn integrates technology, inclusion, and human-centered strategy into future-ready solutions.

She is the driving force behind D-I-C-E, a platform advancing the future of work through inclusive innovation and cross-sector collaboration. D-I-C-E is home to HR on Duty, which mobilizes senior HR leaders to empower emerging Asian American scientists and professionals at events like SAPA HQ’s Career Symposium. Jaclyn also founded iHub, a Gen Z talent incubator endorsed by Senator Andy Kim and honored with a Congressional Award. As an ECOSOC NGO representative to the United Nations, she is committed to empowering young leaders to thrive globally—with clarity, courage, and purpose.

Abstract:

In today’s rapidly shifting world, global talent faces unprecedented challenges—from AI-driven career disruption to complex visa and immigration hurdles. Breaking In, Not Breaking Down: AI-Smart, Visa-Savvy, and Future-Ready in a Shifting World is a powerful guide for new graduates and early-career professionals navigating these turbulent waters. This talk reveals how to harness the power of generative AI as a career accelerator rather than a threat, develop savvy strategies to manage visa uncertainties, and embrace a global mindset where opportunity knows no borders. You’ll learn practical steps to stay ahead, transform obstacles into advantages, and build resilience that goes beyond tech skills—empowering you to thrive with courage, creativity, and confidence in a future shaped by constant change. This is your roadmap to not just survive but break in and shine.

The audience will walk away with:

v A sharper lens on AI — not just how it threatens jobs, but how to use it as your unfair advantage.

v  Ways to create your own ‘first rung’—even when traditional entry-level roles are vanishing.

v An updated GPS for navigating uncertain immigration paths—with clarity, not fear.

v  A mindset shift: From stuck to global

Since 2022, the presenter has served as an ACS Workshop Facilitator and Career Consultant, dedicating her career to empowering emerging academics. Having begun a higher education journey at Texas A&M University–Kingsville—where she teaches chemistry the presenter has long embraced a dream ignited in childhood. At the age of eight, she envisioned a future as an educator, a role that she describes as “the engineer of the human soul,” a sentiment that continues to inspire every step today. In this presentation, the speaker explores practical and strategic methods to secure academic positions, from postdoctoral fellowships to tenure-track roles, specifically tailored for Chinese American students & postdoctoral researchers looking for permanent positions, while junior faculty and senior professionals considering career transitions.

Abstract:

Drawing on a wealth of experience and a blend of traditional and innovative job search strategies, the presenter covers critical topics such as how to identify and leverage academic job boards, capitalize on professional and cultural networks, and tailor application materials to highlight not only scholarly achievements but also the unique cultural perspectives that serve as a competitive asset in today’s market. The talk begins by outlining fundamental techniques for researching open positions and crafting an effective academic curriculum vitae and cover letter. It then delves into practical networking tactics—from nurturing mentorships to engaging with influential peers and thought leaders in professional communities, both online and offline—to uncover hidden opportunities. Finally, the presentation addresses essential interview preparation and negotiation strategies that enable candidates to compellingly articulate their research vision and cultural contributions. Infused with personal passion and reflective insight, this presentation aims to inspire and guide Chinese American scholars in navigating the academic job market, affirming that the journey toward one’s lifelong dream in higher education is both achievable and profoundly rewarding.

 Kai Wang is the founder and CEO of AI Ager, a training and consulting firm. He has trained professionals in diverse industries in the use of generative AI, specifically in innovation, problem-solving, communication, and sales. He also advises businesses in innovation strategy and AI use cases. Initially trained as a chemical engineer, he later obtained a PhD in Technology Management. He has been an adjunct professor teaching Management of AI at Stevens Institute of Technology. 

Dr. Melody Dai is a seasoned regulatory and drug development leader with deep expertise in gene therapy, rare diseases, oncology, and hematology. She has extensive experience navigating global regulations and shaping dual regulatory and CMC strategies to drive the development of innovative therapies.

In her most recent role as Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Product Development, Dr. Dai oversees the overall regulatory affairs strategy, ensuring seamless integration with CMC and product development objectives. She has held leadership positions, including Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs at Adverum and Director of Regulatory Affairs & CMC at AbbVie. She played a key role in advancing immuno-oncology, gene therapy, and antibody-drug conjugate programs.

At Amicus Therapeutics, she led regulatory initiatives that resulted in the approval of an enzyme replacement therapy for Pompe disease and helped shape development strategies for gene therapy programs.

Dr. Dai's career spans leading biopharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, AbbVie, and Enzon Pharmaceuticals, where she held increasing levels of responsibility in biologics, gene silencing, and regenerative medicine development across clinical and commercial stages.

She holds a Ph.D. in Biophysical Chemistry from Rutgers University–New Brunswick and a B.S. in Chemistry from Peking University, with postdoctoral training in Structural Biology at the University of Pennsylvania.

Rob Menger obtained his B.S. in Chemistry at Wake Forest University and his PhD in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Florida. Following graduate school, Rob has spent 12 years in the pharmaceutical industry at Celgene and subsequently BMS leading analytical teams to develop innovative chromatographic methods and control strategies supporting process development, release, and stability testing for a wide array of small-molecule assets from clinical development through commercialization. He has been truly fortunate in his career to participate on the teams that commercialized Zeposia and Augtyro and has had first-hand experience preparing dossiers and addressing health authority queries. Outside of his work at BMS, Rob serves as a past chair for the North Jersey Chromatography Group, Chair and Councilor for the North Jersey Section of the ACS, and enjoys spending time with his family.

Dr. Wei Gao, an R&D and TS&D Fellow at The Dow Chemical Company, is a global leader in polymer and nanomaterial characterization and polymer biodegradation, with over 18 years at Dow. She drives sustainable innovations, generating over $400 million in commercial value across coatings, personal care, and biomedical applications. Dr. Gao holds 18 patents, over 30 publications, and has received the US EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards, R&D 100 Awards, and BIG Sustainability Awards. Educated in China, she earned a B.S. from Fudan University, an M.E. from Tianjin University, and a Ph.D. from Beijing University, followed by academic roles at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and NYU Tandon School of Engineering. As an ACS Polymer Chemistry Division fellow, Philadelphia Local Section Chair (2025), and CACS Vice Chair (2025), she organizes symposia, mentors globally, and co-founded the ACS Natural Polymers Convergent Chemists Community and ACS GCI Natural Polymer Consortium. Dr. Gao inspires as a sought-after speaker on polymer characterization, emulsion polymers, and sustainable innovation.

Abstract: Building a fulfilling career requires finding the intersection of three key elements: passion, strengths, and the value we bring to the world. Maintaining a growth mindset—embracing continuous learning, adaptation, and resilience—allows setbacks to become powerful learning opportunities. In this talk, I will share my journey as a woman of color, a mother of two, an immigrant navigating cultural transitions, and a curious chemist drawn to analytical thinking and scientific problem-solving. Having transitioned from academia to industry, I have encountered multiple challenges along the way. Yet, reflecting on these experiences, I recognize that each setback was a stepping stone for growth, shaping me into a stronger, more resilient professional. Join me as I explore the lessons learned, the strategies that helped me thrive, and the importance of embracing challenges as catalysts for personal and career development.

Wenxuan Li is currently a Senior Scientist in Analytical R&D at Merck. She earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Princeton University in 2025, following a summer co-op at Merck in 2024. Her research focuses on biocatalysis, with an emphasis on high-throughput analytical development and chemical process optimization. Prior to graduate school, she received her B.S. in Chemistry from Nankai University in 2019 and spent eight months as a visiting undergraduate researcher at Yale University. As the 2025 Chair of CACS-YCC, Wenxuan is actively engaged in fostering connections between students and professionals, while also inspiring K-12 students through STEM outreach initiatives.

Abstract: Transitioning from a chemistry Ph.D. program to an industry role can feel both exciting and overwhelming. In this talk, I will share my personal journey from academia to becoming a pharma industry scientist, highlighting the key decisions, challenges, and mindset shifts along the way. Topics will include how to identify the right roles, tailor application materials, navigate interviews, and adapt to the expectations of a corporate environment. I aim to offer practical tips and honest reflections that I hope will resonate with other graduate students and postdocs considering a similar path.

Yuan received his Bachelor of Engineer in Biochemical Engineering from Beijing University of Chemical. He then acquired his master’s degree in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology from Tsinghua University. His Ph.D. is in Biochemistry & Biophysics from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He worked on Discovery Pharmaceutics such as antibody, antibody-drug conjugate, fusion protein pre-formulation development at Bristol-Myers Squibb for four years. He then joined the Formulation Development Group at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Where he works on antibody, bispecific, antibody-drug conjugate, fusion proteins and gene therapy formulation and drug product development. His hobbies are basketball, chess, reading (history &new technology), and travel.