Dr. James A. Rossi-Ashton

Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Manchester, 2022

James first lived just outside of Horsham, West Sussex. He received a MSci from the University of Bristol, and after a short hiatus to New Zealand returned to chemistry undertaking a PhD at the University of York under the guidance of Professor Richard Taylor and Dr William Unsworth, researching a wide range of topics from macrocyclisation to EDA complexes. During his PhD he also spent four inspirational months in Shanghai at SIOC with Professor ShuLi You, investigating iridium catalysed asymmetric reactions. James’ arrival in the USA was delayed due to a certain pandemic, but not all was lost, as James was very fortunate to have been a transient postdoctoral researcher at the University of Manchester with Professor David Procter, helping explore the photochemistry of sulfonium ions.

Fun Facts

• James found out towards the end of his Masters that he was also a Kiwi and hence moved over to reconnect with his motherland (NZ), living in a tent and hitchhiking the length and height of the country over the course of a year.
• James has had many jobs in his time, most bizarrely a short stint at being a wedding chauffer.
• James used to play a lot of rugby (union), 6 times a week for 3 different teams.
• James first lived on a small holding, living amongst 4 sheep, 10 ducks, too many chickens, and the occasional visit from some very hostile geese.