Emma Leishman

Experience

Emma earned a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Indiana University and launched her industry career as an Analytical Chemist at Element Ann Arbor. Leveraging previous LC-MS/MS expertise, she expanded her toolkit to include other mass spectrometry techniques, contributing to Extractables and Leachables (E&L) studies. In just a few years, Emma transitioned to leadership and was promoted to Manager of Advanced Analytics.

Working to ensure medicines are safe and accessible, the Advanced Analytics department specializes in E&L and mass spectrometry methods under both R&D and cGMP quality systems. The group runs complete programs, seeing a study through from early development, to validation, and finally to stability sample testing. Her team has over 99% on-time delivery, contributing to FDA approvals for life-saving drugs.

Emma is based at Element Ann Arbor, but works closely with all of the Life Sciences labs across the Americas.

Career Highlights

• Authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications based on LC-MS/MS work; subsequently applied mass spectrometry skills to extractables and leachables (E&L) studies
• Successfully transitioned from academia to industry, then from a Chemist to team leader
• 10 invited conference talks (3 for E&L), including international meetings, and experience chairing scientific sessions
• Delivered ~$4 million in revenue in the last year with over 99% on-time delivery
• Designed and oversaw E&L studies contributing to FDA approvals
• Co-inventor of a chemical denaturant for controlled medications (US Patent 10668312)
• Developed and implemented platform strategies for organic impurities such as mycotoxins and nitrosamines
• Winner of Operational Collaborator, Scientific Excellence, Client-Centricity, and On-Time All the Time Awards