Molecular Horizons Seminar: Dr. Ronnie Brown

Industry-academia collaborations are an effective strategy in translating academic outputs into real- world applications, as well as enriching commercial pipelines. In this presentation, I will share my experience transitioning from the agrochemical industry (Bayer CropScience, Germany and the GRDC) to an academic role in Australia (The University of Wollongong) while maintaining a presence in both spheres. Some of the relevant activities leading up to this have included developing new chemical reactions and perspectives on the importance of this in discovering bioactive compounds, as well as the design of novel herbicides (such as spirocyclic FAT inhibitors) at Bayer CropScience. This path has laid the foundations for future plans to enrich Bayer’s agrochemical pipeline by developing 3D chemical building blocks via an ARC Early-Career Industry Fellowship awarded in 2024.