In this interview we discuss with a leading pioneer in chemistry, Dr. L.C. Campeau, his career and his accomplishments thus far, and what has been an impetus for his achievements. Dr. L.C. Campeau is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

Questions asked in the interview:

General Questions:
1. What have been your long-standing interests in the field of science?
2. How do you maintain view of the bigger picture in your career and in your life in general?
3. How have you been adaptive and creative in the field of science?
4. How have you sought or found the right environment for you to thrive scientifically
and intellectually?
5. What have been your most effective and impactful ideas to date?
6. How have you been so successful in your field to date?
7.How do you maintain a balanced life given all your responsibilities and accomplishments?

8. How have you maintained vision and teamwork in your environment?

Specific Questions:
8. Why did you chose chemistry as field to major in graduate school ?

General Closing:

9. Do you have any advice to those wanting to pursue the field you are currently working in?
What has been some of most beneficial advice you have received ?

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Dr. Campeau's Biography: L.-C. Campeau obtained his Ph. D. degree in 2007 with the late Professor Keith Fagnou at the University of Ottawa in Canada as an NSERC Doctoral Fellow, after completing his B.Sc. in Biopharmaceutical Sciences. He was the recipient of the Pierre Laberge Prize for the best Ph.D. thesis in the Science Faculty. The Faculty of Science awarded him the inaugural Young Alumni Award in 2016 and in 2022 he received the inaugural Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award. L.-C. first joined Merck Research Laboratories at Merck-Frosst in Montreal in 2007 making key contributions to the discovery of Doravirine (MK-1439) for which he received a Merck Special Achievement Award. In 2010, he moved from Quebec to New Jersey, where he has served in roles of increasing responsibility Head of Catalysis ; Automation, Head of Discovery Process Chemistry and Head of Process Chemistry. L.-C. is currently Associate Vice President and the Head of Small Molecule Process Research and Development, leading a team of smart creative scientists and engineers developing innovative solutions in support of all discovery, pre-clinical and clinical active pharmaceutical ingredient deliveries for the entire Merck portfolio for small-molecule therapeutics. Over his tenure at Merck, L.-C. and his team have made important contributions to 40 clinical candidates and 7 commercial products to date. Under his leadership, his organization has received the EPA’s Green Chemistry Challenge Award four consecutive years and received the Heroes of Chemistry Award for their work on Molnupiravir in 2022. His passion for scientific excellence exemplified by 80 publications and patents, several successful collaborations with key academics, and an extensive list of 85 invited lectures worldwide. As a proud Canadian, L.-C. continues his engagement in the Canadian chemistry community, serving 4 years on the NSERC Discovery Grants committee (2019-2022) and currently sits on the NSERC National Awards Selection Committee. L.-C. was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2022.