Technical Editor

Marcus Hopkin, PhD

Director of Research and Development, Volta Peptides

About Marcus

Marcus leads the Research and Development team at Volta Peptides, where his work focuses on advancing process development for therapeutic oligonucleotides and developing manufacturing technologies. His responsibilities span scientific leadership, analytical development, process improvement and the evaluation of technologies intended to support reliable and reproducible research-material production.

His background combines organic chemistry, analytical chemistry and hands-on peptide research. Across more than 12 years of laboratory and research experience he has worked with peptide synthesis, analytical characterization, purity evaluation and stability assessment. That experience informs both his R&D responsibilities and his approach to reviewing scientific content.

He joined Volta Peptides in March 2023 as a Project Chemist in the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient division, progressed to Research Development Lead in August 2024, and was appointed Director of Research and Development in December 2025. The progression gives him direct familiarity with the company's research processes, technical standards and approach to analytical evaluation.

Research and technical experience

Peptide synthesis and process development
Organic and analytical chemistry
Peptide characterization
Purity testing and analytical-data interpretation
Stability assessment and degradation pathways
Active pharmaceutical ingredient process development
Oligonucleotide chemistry and manufacturing technology
Scientific literature evaluation

Professional experience

Director of Research and Development
Volta Peptides · December 2025 to present
Leads a team working on oligonucleotide process development and manufacturing technology, and sets the analytical standards applied to research material.
Research Development Lead
Volta Peptides · August 2024 to December 2025
Peptide chemistry, analytical characterization, stability assessment and manufacturing-process improvement.
Project Chemist, API Division
Volta Peptides · March 2023 to August 2024
Active pharmaceutical ingredient chemistry and process-development work.
Nucleotide Applications Manager
Amgen · April 2018 to March 2023
Five years in Vancouver adding nucleotide-focused applications experience to a background in organic chemistry and analytical development.
Research and Development Manager
Eli Lilly and Company · August 2013 to January 2018
Research and Development Specialist
Eli Lilly and Company · February 2010 to July 2013
Lecturer
University of Michigan · June 2006 to April 2009
Teaching experience that carries into explaining chemistry and research concepts in technical guides.

Education

PhD in Chemistry, specialization in Organic Chemistry
University of Michigan · September 2004 to June 2007
Master of Science in Chemistry
University of Michigan · September 2002 to April 2004
Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry focus
Michigan State University · September 1998 to May 2002

Doctoral thesis: Analysis of Novel Peptide Structures in the Human Proteome and What It Could Mean for the Future of Therapeutic Peptides

Editorial role at Volta Peptides

Marcusreviews the educational and technical content published by Volta Peptides. He is named as the technical reviewer on the articles listed below; he is not their writer, and the editorial team's byline is retained on every one of them. His review checks:

Checking scientific and analytical terminology
Reviewing explanations of peptide synthesis, purity and stability
Assessing whether technical statements are supported by the cited evidence
Distinguishing laboratory findings from preliminary, preclinical and clinical evidence
Identifying unsupported conclusions or language that overstates the available research
Confirming research-use information is presented within an appropriate scientific context

Articles centred on patient care, clinical decision-making or medical treatment fall outside this scope and require review by an appropriately qualified clinical professional. Volta Peptides does not currently employ one, and does not publish that category of content.

Disclosure. Marcus Hopkin is an employee of Volta Peptides and serves as its Director of Research and Development. Volta Peptides sells research compounds related to subjects discussed in the content he writes and reviews. His reviews are internal scientific and technical review and must not be described as independent third-party review, peer review or medical review.

Articles reviewed by Marcus

39 published articles carry his technical review. The 24 most recently reviewed are listed here.

How this content is produced

Editorial standards Source selection Corrections policy Testing methodology