David Hesk

David Hesk is an expert in tritium labeling chemistry and synthesis, purification, and analysis of isotopically labeled compounds. He has extensive knowledge of the pharmaceutical development process and is experienced in preparing ¹⁴C APIs under GMP for human AME studies. Dr. Hesk leads RTI's radiochemistry group, which supplies radio and stable isotope labeled pharmaceutical standards to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The group also supplies isotopically labeled compounds to many other commercial and academic clients.

Dr. Hesk obtained his PhD at the University of Surrey, United Kingdom, with a specific focus on metal catalyzed hydrogen isotope exchange labeling. Following a move to the United States, Dr. Hesk spent nearly 28 years in the Radiochemistry and Labeled Compound Synthesis groups at Schering-Plough and Merck. During that time, he was responsible for the synthesis, purification, and analysis of isotopically labeled compounds in support of pharmaceutical research. While at Merck, Dr. Hesk was involved in several academic collaborations with the MacMillan and Chirik groups at Princeton University and also the Kerr group at the University of Strathclyde.