Microwaving turmeric might sound like a step in a recipe book, but it’s actually part of Dr. Hany El-Azab’s biomedical engineering research. El-Azab explains how microwave-assisted chemistry could create new derivatives of curcumin — the pigment in turmeric known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties — that may stay in the body longer and enhance its health benefits. He also explains how catalysts and flow reactors work and how these technologies could potentially lower the cost of prescription drugs.