2018 FALL LC MAGAZINE

Dan DiRocco ’07 received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Lycoming College and went on to earn his doctorate in chemistry from Colorado State University. He is currently principal scientist in process research and development at Merck & Co., Inc., located in Rahway, N.J. As principal scientist, he is responsible for developing efficient and sustainable manufacturing processes for Merck’s medicines. He enjoys the impact his work has on the field of medicine and society, as well as constantly being challenged in this role. Early on, DiRocco excelled in science and enrolled in introductory organic chemistry at Lycoming as a high school senior. It was then that he fell in love with the College and the chemistry department. “I had two great professors among many others while at Lycoming — Dr. Bendorf and Dr. McDonald,” he said. “Both of these professors taught me skills and life lessons that have served me well my entire career, and they continue to be great mentors today.” “Dr. Bendorf took a chance on me when I was just a young high school student and taught me how to do independent research. This experience is undoubtedly the single most defining moment for me as a scientist.” “While at Lycoming, Dan pursued an ambitious course of study. He took nearly every course offered by the department of chemistry, engaged in independent research all four years, and wrote an outstanding honors thesis, yet it never seemed like ‘work’ for him,” recalled Holly Bendorf, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry. “His enthusiasm for chemistry, along with his talent and work ethic, were as impressive then as they are today. I am thrilled, but frankly not surprised, by his outstanding achievements.” DiRocco says the attention to real world application through hands-on learning and a strong dedication to undergraduate research he received at Lycoming prepared him for this career. He was recently featured in Chemical and Engineering News as a 2017 Talented 12, a list which recognizes extraordinary young chemists who are pushing boundaries in their fields. He was recognized for his work with modern asymmetric catalysis methods and bringing innovative new reactions to Merck’s manufacturing processes. “In order for our medicines to reach patients worldwide, robust, efficient, and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes must be developed,” DiRocco said. “Asymmetric catalysis provides a means of selectively making the correct molecular configuration of a pharmaceutical with little waste. While many asymmetric catalytic methods exist, few can be applied directly to the synthesis of complex medicines, which generally means inventing a completely new method.” “What was immediately obvious upon having Dan in class was his enthusiasm and talent for the subject matter,” said Chriss McDonald, Ph.D., Frank and Helen Lowry Professor of chemistry. “His success beyond Lycoming has been breathtaking. I continue to enjoy discussing chemistry with him, and he has made several suggestions over the years that I have found helpful in my own research.” Dan DiRocco ’07 DiRocco (L) in his lab at Merck & Co., Inc. 25 www.lycoming.edu