Why Cyclodextrins?
Cyclodextrins are some of the most versatile molecules in science. Most people encounter cyclodextrins every day without even realizing it - they show up everywhere from pharmaceuticals and food science to environmental remediation, agriculture, household items, advanced materials, and beyond. Despite their relatively simple structure, cyclodextrins continue to surprise researchers with new applications and possibilities across science and industry.
This remarkable versatility allows cyclodextrins to connect scientists from fields that rarely overlap, bringing together researchers and innovators with vastly different backgrounds and experiences through a shared appreciation for these unique sugar rings.
In summary, cyclodextrins are cool!
Our Mission & Vision
Our mission is to create collaborative and interdisciplinary cyclodextrin community across the Americas by connecting researchers, students, and industry professionals from diverse fields. Through scientific exchange, networking, and shared opportunities, we aim to support the continued growth of cyclodextrin science and strengthen the global cyclodextrin community.
A.CD.C. envisions a future where the full range of cyclodextrin science is connected across fields, industries, and borders. By bringing together innovators throughout the Americas and strengthening ties with the broader international community, we aim to help shape a vibrant, innovative, and globally connected future for cyclodextrin research and applications.
Chang-Chung Ling
Dr. Ling is a professor at the University of Calgary. He obtained his B.Sc. from the University of Lanzhou, China (1986) and Ph.D. from the Université of Paris XI (1991). He is internationally renowned for his contributions to carbohydrate chemistry, glycobiology and cyclodextrin chemistry. In the field of cyclodextrins, his research encompasses supramolecular chemistry, host–guest interactions, the design and synthesis of a wide range of structurally well-defined cyclodextrin hosts for enhanced inclusion, self-assembling properties and metal chelation. He has developed innovative synthetic methodologies for the selective functionalization of cyclodextrins and has led the design and synthesis of different classes of structurally sophisticated cyclodextrin-based materials. Dr. Ling’s work has been particularly influential in advancing the understanding of how functional amphiphilic cyclodextrins interact with biological systems and self-assemble into highly ordered nanostructures, such as liquid-crystalline phases. His studies have also demonstrated how these unique materials can facilitate ion transport and proton conduction, opening new avenues in materials science, molecular recognition, and biomimetic functional materials.
Founding Member
Carmen Popescu
Dr. Popescu is a Global Pharma/Biopharma Technical Developer at Roquette America Inc., Spring House Innovation Park, PA. She received her B.S. in Physics and Ph.D. in Biophysics at University of Bucharest, Romania. She came to the USA in 1999 as an Associate Professor with University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Pharmacy (Pharmaceutics Department) where she is still an Adjunct Associate Professor. She later transitioned to the Pharmaceutical Industry, holding positions at Morton Grove Pharmaceutical, Baxter and DeCode Genetics. Dr. Popescu's expertise includes development of classic dosage forms (liquid, semi-solid, and solid dosage forms formulation) as well as advanced drug delivery systems (microparticles, nanoparticles, liposomes, noisome) for small and large molecules. Cyclodextrins are her passion due to their multiple functionalities and large span of applications across different industries. She has authored over 120 publications and serves as a reviewer of several pharmaceutical journals. Dr. Popescu is also Adjunct Associate Professor at several universities and an active member of AAPS.
Founding Member
Scientific Advisory Board
James Pipkin
Dr. Pipkin (J.D.) is the VP of New Product Development at Ligand Pharmaceuticals. He was part of the team that developed CAPTISOL at CyDex Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Ligand in 2011. Previously, he was Executive Director for CMC Services and Director of Formulation Development at Oread Laboratories and a Research Fellow with Merck Research Laboratories in the INTERx Research Division and West Point PR&D facilities. Dr. Pipkin's area of research interest lies in the design and evaluation of controlled release devices for ophthalmic and oral delivery to enhance therapeutic efficacy and lower systemic burden. He has contributed to numerous presentations, publications and patents and holds a M.S. and Ph.D. from The University of Kansas in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, and B.A. in Mathematics and Chemistry from Kansas University.
Founding Member
Matthew O'Connor
Dr. O'Connor (Oki) is the CEO of Scientific Affairs and Cofounder of Cyclarity Therapeutics, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company engineering cyclodextrins into active pharmaceuticals. Dr. O'Connor was awarded his master’s degree in neuroscience from Northwestern Medical in 1999 and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Baylor College of Medicine in 2005. His postdoctoral research includes work at UC Berkeley on muscle stem cells and aging. He previously served as VP of Research at SENS Research Foundation, where he led a broad portfolio of rejuvenation biotechnology programs and contributed to numerous scientific publications and patents. His work continues to bridge cyclodextrin chemistry, aging biology, and the development of novel therapeutic approaches.
Founding Member
Nonprofit Board Members
Amelia Anderson
Lian Rajewski
Joanna Krise
President
Mia leads our community engagement, social media, newsletters, and virtual meetings. She specializes in computational modeling of cyclodextrin inclusion complexes and is passionate about building a collaborative and interdisciplinary cyclodextrin community.
Treasurer
Lian brings extensive experience in cyclodextrin science, industry partnerships, and scientific leadership. She is committed to supporting the growth of the cyclodextrin community and fostering meaningful connections throughout the field.
Secretary
Jo bridges the gap between academic and industrial cyclodextrin science. Her experience spans analytical chemistry to medicinal research, with a strong interest in building connections and supporting scientific exchange across the Americas and beyond.