Martin D. Burke is the Ving Lee Professor of Chemical Innovation at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the founding director of the Molecule Maker Lab. He holds B.A. in Chemistry from Johns Hopkins University, Ph.D. in Chemistry from Harvard University, and M.D. from the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences Technology Program. Burke is known for pioneering blocc chemistry, which allows for iterative carbon-carbon bond formation, and has leveraged this innovative approach for developing molecular prosthetics and top-tier organic lasers. His extensive research has led to the commercialization of over 300 MIDA/TIDA boronate blocks and has resulted in more than 1,000 publications and 300 patent applications across various research groups globally. He has co-founded five biotech companies that have advanced seven new drug candidates into clinical trials. Burke is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, with numerous accolades for his contributions in research and teaching. His lab focuses on enhancing the accessibility of molecular design through friendly automation and artificial intelligence, aiming to democratize molecular innovation.