Leif-Thore Deck

Main research area

In a research project funded by The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, Leif-Thore Deck investigates the role of stochastic ice nucleation in pharmaceutical freezing processes via modeling and experiments. Stochastic nucleation poses a major challenge to the design and optimization of pharmaceutical processes that involve freezing in vials. It leads to an inherent vial-to-vial variability in thermal evolution that may negatively affect both process behavior and product quality. A majority of biopharmaceuticals, including most commercially available COVID-19 vaccines, undergo freezing or freeze-drying. They thus may benefit from a deepened understanding of ice nucleation.

Further information:

Freezing of biopharmaceuticals

Stochastic nucleation

Additional research activities

In addition to the research on the freezing of pharmaceuticals and on crystal nucleation, Leif theoretically studies a number of complex crystallization phenomena through the development of mathematical models based on the population balance equation. He is particularly interested in the separation/resolution of enantiomers by means of solid-state deracemization and in continuous crystallization.

Further information:

Separating enantiomers

Continuous crystallization

Student projects

If you are interested in carrying out a Bachelor's or Master's project in a field related to my research area, please reach out to me via e-mail. I am always happy to discuss potential projects.

Publications