Sophie Rousseaux

Sophie Rousseaux is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Toronto, holding a Canada Research Chair in Organic Chemistry (Tier 2). Her research focuses on catalysis, synthetic organic chemistry, and organometallic chemistry, with particular emphasis on nickel-catalyzed reactions and cyclopropane chemistry. She leads a dynamic research group producing impactful contributions to methodologies in C–C bond formation and functionalization.

Education & Experience:

• Ph.D., Chemistry, University of Ottawa (2012)
• Postdoctoral Fellowships: University of Oxford (2012–2015), MIT (visiting, 2010–2011)
• Joined University of Toronto as Assistant Professor in 2015, promoted to Associate Professor in 2022

Research Interests: Her group develops novel strategies in catalysis, including nickel-catalyzed cross-couplings, redox-active substrates, and supramolecular approaches. Key areas include cyclopropane functionalization, homoenolate chemistry, and transnitrilation methods. Recent work emphasizes asymmetric synthesis of pharmaceuticals and mechanistic studies of radical reactions.

Awards & Recognition:

• Canada Research Chair (2016–present)
• NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow
• Glasstone Research Fellowship (Oxford)

Advising & Lab: Rousseaux has mentored over 30 graduate and undergraduate students, many of whom have received awards (e.g., David H. Farrar Scholarship, Adrian Brook Awards). Her lab supports collaborative projects with industry partners (e.g., Merck, Genentech) and publishes in top journals like Angewandte Chemie and Nature Reviews Chemistry. The lab’s legacy includes innovations in cyclopropane synthesis and sustainable catalytic methods.