Roche Research Group
Dr. Stéphane Roche
561-297-3580
I am Dr. Stéphane P. Roche, born in a small medieval town (Thiers) in the green heart of France. I received my Ph.D. degree (2006) in chemistry from the Blaise Pascal University under the supervision of my great mentor Professor David. J. Aitken. During the three years of my Ph. D., I learned the fundamentals of basic science (laboratory techniques, rationalizing results, but most importantly problem solving) with confidence, curiosity and a lot of pleasure.
Subsequently, I joined the Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences (ICES, @Star) in Singapore, as a research fellow with Professor K. C. Nicolaou (2006-2008). This experience, in a competitive laboratory dedicated to total synthesis, has given me new perspectives in project management and self-efficiency while adjusting and prioritizing fundamental research to ultimately reach the project objectives within deadlines.
MAIN PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS
Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Reaction Design, Natural Product Synthesis, Biomimetic Synthesis, Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery.
Late 2008, I decided to come to the U.S. to join my muse Tanja, the mother of my two children Mathis and Mila. After visiting Boston and several research groups, I was tremendously fortunate to meet Professor John. A. Porco Jr at Boston University, and join his research group. Soon after our first encounter at a café in front of Boston University, Professor Porco became a second mentor to me, shearing his thoughts about biomimetic synthesis and unlimited creativity and innovation in chemistry. He also trained me for translational and collaborative research as well as leadership.
The knowledge I acquired during my postdoctoral career has led to an avenue of research that I want to pursue as a scientist. It is my goal to pass on my passion and knowledge of biomimetic chemical synthesis to my students as an assistant professor at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). At the same time, I wish my group to pursue translational research with biologists to demonstrate the value of synthetic chemistry in answering biological questions related to rare or complex diseases while combating drug resistance. My long term career goal will target continuing innovative chemistry, oriented toward the synthesis of complex bioactive agents to access chemoprevention for diseases.
Education
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2006 Ph.D. Chemistry, University Blaise Pascal, Professor David J. Aitken, advisor.
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2002 M.S. Chemistry, University Blaise Pascal, Professor S. Giorgi-Renault, advisor (University René Descartes, Paris V).
Professional Experience
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2015 ‒ Present: Faculty Member, Center for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology; FAU
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2011 ‒ Present: Assistant Professor, Florida Atlantic University
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2009 ‒ 2011: Research Associate, Boston University; Professor John A. Porco Jr., advisor (U.S.).
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2008: Postdoctoral Fellow, University Blaise Pascal; Dr. Arnaud Gautier (CNRS), advisor (France).
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2006 ‒ 2008: Postdoctoral Fellow, Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences (ICES, @-STAR); Professor K. C. Nicolaou & David Y-K. Chen, advisors (Singapore).
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2002 ‒ 2006: Graduate Student, University Blaise Pascal; Professor David J. Aitken, advisor (France).
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2004: Graduate Student, University of Bath; Professor David J. Aitken & Steven D. Bull, advisors (U.K.).
Honors and Awards
2002 ‒ 2005 French Government Merit Grant (Full scholarship for the PhD)
2006 ‒ 2007 Postdoctoral Fellowship (SFC Auvergne; French Chemical Society)
2012 Mentor and Mentee FAU Award with Prof. S. Lepore
2014 Mentor and Mentee FAU Award with Prof. S. Lepore
Invited Lectures
11/2016 Northeastern University
11/2016 Boston College
11/2016 Boston University
09/2015 PacifiChem 2015; Hawaii
08/2009 238th ACS meeting; Washington D.C.
03/2008 UK-Singapore Symposium; (Singapore, February 2008)
09/2007 @-STAR-Noyori Ist symposium; Singapore
FUNDED PROJECTS
Current Research Support
NIH-R15 Roche (Role: PI) 2016 – 2019
Direct cost: $ 292,000 (TOTAL AWARD: $ 432, 869)
“Asymmetric Synthesis of Unnatural α-Amino Acids: Applications to Natural Products” link
This grant focused on undergraduate student training and exposure to research in peptide chemistry. The project entails the development of a novel synthetic strategy for the asymmetric synthesis of non-proteinogenic α-amino acids and the most peculiar and challenging α,α-disubstitutted α-amino acids. The central application resides in the synthesis of two natural products: sorbicillactone A, which has a promising anti-leukemia activity (IC50 = 0.5 µM) and fumimycin which has antibacterial activity via peptide deformylase (PDF) inhibition.
FAU-Technology Grant Roche (Role: PI) 2017 – 2018
Direct cost: $ 147,800
“Acquisition of an NMR-400 MHz to Foster the Next Generation of Skilled STEM Students from FAU”
The proposal was awarded for the active involvement of undergraduate students in Chemistry in independent research (CHM 4905) in practical training in applying NMR to their systems of interest. The acquisition of the NMR instrument will afford an “OPEN” access to the 400 MHz MR to students to streamline their research projects and enhance their analytical skill to forge a better chemistry-based workforce for the biomedical community in South-Florida.
