Richard C D Brown

Professor Richard C D Brown serves as Professor of Organic Chemistry and deputy head of Chemistry for Research at the University of Southampton. He has maintained continuous academic leadership since joining the faculty in 1996 following his NATO postdoctoral fellowship at UC Berkeley.

His educational background includes:

• First class BSc in Chemistry, University of Southampton (1990)
• PhD in Chemistry, University of Southampton (1994) under Professor Kocienski F.R.S.
• Postdoctoral research with Professor Clayton Heathcock at UC Berkeley (1994-1996)

Research focuses on developing sustainable synthetic methodologies with biological relevance. His group pioneers flow electrosynthesis for pharmaceutical applications and specializes in total synthesis of complex natural products exhibiting pharmacological activity. Key approaches include:

• Metal oxo-mediated oxidative cyclisation of 1,5-dienes
• Solid-phase organic synthesis techniques
• Reagentless flow reactor systems for manufacturing

Major scientific recognition includes:

• Royal Society University Research Fellowship (1996)
• NATO postdoctoral fellowship (1994)

Secured substantial research funding through:

• EPSRC Co-operative Award in Science and Engineering (2016-2019) on flow electrosynthesis
• dstl UK France PhD studentship (2015-2018) for chemical warfare agent countermeasures
• Lilly Research Award Program Grant (2016-2018)
• EPSRC 'Factory in a Fumehood' project (2013-2017)

Leads the Organic Chemistry research group and coordinates the multinational LabFact consortium involving CNRS, ENSICAEN, Universities of Caen/Rouen/Sussex/Southampton, and Pareon Chemicals to advance flow chemistry and reagentless synthesis techniques.