Pfizer’s award‑winning video reveals how supercritical chromatography is transforming the pace of oncology research
22 Jul 2026
Watch as Jeff Elleraas, Principal Scientist at Pfizer reflects on receiving the Scientists’ Choice Award® for Best Life Sciences Video of the Year and shares powerful insights into the future of oncology research. From rising cancer rates to the critical need for high‑quality data in an AI‑driven world, he highlights why collaboration, innovation, and advanced chromatography techniques matter more than ever. Discover how long‑standing partnerships with Pfizer and cutting‑edge tools from Shimadzu are shaping the next generation of scientific discovery.
Watch the winning Best Life Sciences Video of the Year here: https://www.selectscience.net/video/pfizer-drives-cancer-research-with-supercritical-fluid-chromatography
This video was filmed at ASMS 2026.
Video transcript
Show transcript
The importance of oncology research, and quite frankly I can’t think of a more important endeavor at this point. All data shows that cancer rates are going up, and they’re getting younger, and you know, as a person that has family members that either are battling or succumbed to cancer, I’m honored, and it’s a privilege to be a part of that battle.
Receiving this Select Science Award for Video of the Year is an honor, obviously, and a privilege, and quite frankly a humbling experience. When we took this on, it seemed like just a little trivial, little endeavor, and it turned into something kind of valuable and important, and I’m very appreciative of this.
Select Science has been great with this endeavor and their positivity and support. And as we work through this kind of unique experience, it’s been a lot of fun and very rewarding. The importance of science to share and communicate with each other, you know, it began with Neanderthal man and fire, right?
Continuing that today with peer-reviewed research and sharing of information through conferences such as this, it’s important that drives and grows the information, the data, the acquisition, the MOs. The future of research, and specifically analytical research, even as we move into a more AI-orientated environment, you will still need quality data, quality analysis of the data, and with machine learning and AI tools, it will speed up, it can get a lot faster, a lot easier, but you still need the quality data to get things done, and you’ll still need to actually acquire that.
Shimadzu has been working with Pfizer here in San Diego for the last 12–13 years that I’ve been on board. More recently, in the last five to six years, we’ve been working with them very closely as they are now using newer techniques in chromatography, and SFC in particular.
Working with Jeff at Pfizer has been really great because he is in the lab all the time, and pulling him in to take a look at what we’re doing with our software, how we’re approaching some of the analysis, his input has been very valuable, and the feedback goes all the way back to Japan. Winning this award from Select Science has been fantastic. We’re able to share this with everybody, and it gives Shimadzu recognition, Pfizer recognition, and Select Science.
What does this video cover?
Topics covered in this video
- How is Pfizer advancing oncology research with Shimadzu supercritical fluid chromatography technologies?
- Why does Jeff Elleraas emphasize high‑quality data for AI‑driven cancer research?
- How do Pfizer–Shimadzu collaborations in San Diego impact future oncology therapeutics?
- What makes the SelectScience Scientists’ Choice Award Life Sciences video so influential?
- How are rising cancer rates shaping Pfizer’s analytical oncology strategies with Shimadzu?
FAQs
How is Pfizer advancing oncology research with Shimadzu’s supercritical fluid chromatography?
Pfizer, represented by Principal Scientist Jeff Elleraas, collaborates closely with Shimadzu to apply newer chromatography techniques, especially supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). Over the past 5–6 years, this partnership has focused on improving analytical workflows and software-driven analysis. Their joint work enhances data quality and speed, supporting more effective oncology research and contributing to the future of cancer drug discovery.
Why does Jeff Elleraas emphasize high‑quality data in AI‑driven oncology research?
Jeff Elleraas stresses that, even in an AI‑oriented future, oncology and analytical research depend on high‑quality data and robust analysis. Machine learning and AI tools can accelerate workflows and make data processing easier, but they cannot replace the need for accurate, well‑acquired experimental data. Reliable datasets remain essential for meaningful insights, reproducible results, and impactful cancer research outcomes.
What is the significance of the SelectScience Scientists’ Choice Award for Pfizer and Shimadzu?
The SelectScience Scientists’ Choice Award for Best Life Sciences Video of the Year recognizes the impact of Pfizer's and Shimadzu’s collaborative oncology research story. Jeff Elleraas describes the award as an honor and a humbling experience. It highlights the value of communicating science, raises visibility for Pfizer, Shimadzu, and SelectScience, and underscores how long‑standing partnerships can drive innovation in cancer research and analytical chromatography.
