"SCI offers wonderful opportunities to bring like-minded people together, build fruitful collaborations and expand one’s professional network.”
What are your research interests?
My research field is organic chemistry. I am working on the development of new methodologies in homogeneous catalysis, notably using copper, for the synthesis of high value amine-containing compounds.
How did you first get involved with SCI?
My first contact with SCI was at the 5th SCI/RSC retrosynthesis competition where I participated in the final in London. SCI offers wonderful opportunities to bring like-minded people together, build fruitful collaborations and expand one’s professional network. I would encourage my peers to join to also benefit from the many prospects SCI has to offer. As an SCI scholar, I would also advise anyone interested in attending national or international conferences to consider all the travel bursaries and scholarships SCI proposes.
SCI aims to be 'where science meets business'. What is the potential commercial application of your research?
My PhD research provides novel routes to access high-value amine-containing molecules such as quaternary α-amino acid derivatives, which are encountered in many important drugs (Eflornithine, Methyldopa). The conformation of the product in space, a crucial parameter for drug efficiency, is controlled by a catalytic amount of copper and does not rely on any precious transition metal. Copper is an abundant element and the development of its chemistry is in accordance with the need to reduce our environmental impact.
What do you hope to gain from your involvement with SCI?
By getting involved with SCI, I am hoping to develop transferable skills such as organisation, confidence to speak and present in public, ability to convey science to a lay audience, that I believe are essential for a successful career. Furthermore, by getting involved with SCI, I hope to broaden my vision of chemistry. Each event is indeed an opportunity to learn about someone else’s research, someone else’s career path. I trust that these valuable interactions will help me in making the right professional choices in future.
Fabien Talbot
University of Manchester – Department of Chemistry
External links:
- University of Manchester, Department of Chemistry
- Proctor Group Research
- Fabien’s Linkedin
- Biography