Michael Burns PhD

Michael Burns completed his undergraduate studies in 2006 at the University of York, remaining there to complete his PhD, working with Professors Fairlamb and Taylor, on a project utilising organometallic catalysis for total synthesis. Upon completion of his PhD, Michael moved to Kent (UK) to work for Peakdale Molecular (now Concept Life Sciences). A contract research company that synthesises potential APIs (on various scales) for pharmaceutical companies. Following his spell in Kent, Michael returned to York to take up a position at the Centre for Hyperpolarisation in Magnetic Resonance (CHyM), investigating the use of isotopically-labelled, biologically relevant molecules within hyperpolarising MRI and NMR techniques. The ultimate goal is the creation of biologically inert MRI contrast agents with vastly increased resolution compared to gadolinium contrast agents.

Michael joined Lhasa in 2015, initially deciphering metabolism data for Meteor (Metabolic degradation), developing skin sensitisation and mutagenicity alerts for Derek (knowledge-based toxicity prediction), and investigating forced degradation pathways for Zeneth. Michael quickly moved on to the Mirabilis project, aiding the research and curation of knowledge relevant to understanding the potential for purging of mutagenic impurities from drug substance syntheses. In 2017, Michael took over leadership of Mirabilis development and has since worked closely with leading members of the purge calculation community to develop Mirabilis and the purge concept, including, more recently, their impact on the ongoing nitrosamine challenges.