Rebecca Swett, Director of Computational Chemistry at X-Chem, joins Host Chris Williams and guest co-host Alain Deschênes—Executive Producer of Under the Surface and Vice President at CCG—for a long-overdue conversation on her journey in drug development.

Rebecca traces her path from academia to her current role at X-Chem, with pivotal stops at Novartis, Vertex, and Relay Therapeutics. Her broad experience brings depth to a discussion that ranges across the evolving landscape of computational chemistry—touching on machine learning, molecular dynamics, DNA-encoded libraries, and the growing role of automation in high-throughput science.

But this episode isn’t just about the science. Rebecca also reflects on the importance of allyship, representation, and community for women in STEM, including a shout-out to the long-standing BAGIM modeling forum. And in the debut of the “Deschênes Dilemma,” we discover what path Rebecca might have taken if she weren’t immersed in the world of drug discovery.

It’s an episode packed with insight, inspiration, and a glimpse into the future of computational chemistry.

Karen Lackey, CEO of X-Chem, has been at the forefront of integrated drug discovery across her over 30-year career. Hear her story and insights on the future of drug discovery in her appearance on the Molecule to Market podcast.

Listen now to explore:

• How diversity of thought enables problem-solving
• Karen’s journey from big pharma to leading biotech innovation
• How Karen’s experience empowers her to redefine drug discovery at X-Chem
• A holistic view of AI/ML in drug discovery, enabling more accessible and capital-efficient use
• Karen’s views on biotech failures and how to rethink launches