Biography
Matthew McDonald’s research investigates how automation and machine learning can accelerate development of complex separation processes. Crystallization and analytical technology are areas of keen interest, but automation and ML find broad applicability to many of the problems Chemical and Biological Engineers are suited best to solve. At Drexel his research focuses on harnessing fine-tuned molecular interactions to overcome entropy in challenging separations, particularly in pharmaceuticals.
Matthew McDonald joined the department of Chemical and Biological Engineering as an assistant professor in September 2024. He received his BS in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University and PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Georgia Tech. After his PhD he worked with Klavs Jensen at MIT developing autonomous systems for chemical discovery and optimization.
Degrees / Education
- PhD, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2020
- BS, Chemical Engineering, Princeton University, 2015
Research Areas
Research Interests
Automation, Machine Learning, Chemical Separations, Crystallization, Pharmaceuticals, Advancing analytical chemistry tools
Areas of Study
Select Publications
- Brent A. Koscher, Richard B. Canty, Matthew A. McDonald, et al., Autonomous, multiproperty-driven molecular discovery: From predictions to measurements and back. Science 382, eadi1407 (2023).
- Matthew A. McDonald, et al., Calibration-free reaction yield quantification by HPLC with a machine-learning model of extinction coefficients. Chem. Sci. 15, 10092-10100 (2024).
- H Salami, MA McDonald, et al., In Situ Imaging Combined with Deep Learning for Crystallization Process Monitoring: Application to Cephalexin Production. OPR&D 25 (7), 1670-1679 (2021).
- MA McDonald, et al., Continuous reactive crystallization of β-lactam antibiotics catalyzed by penicillin G acylase. Comp. & Chem. Eng. 123, 331-343 (2019)