Jamie Stokes

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT JAMIE STOKES

My career to date has been split between two parts.Between 2005 and 2017 I studied and practiced academic organic chemistry. I was awarded a first Class (Hons) MChem degree from the University of Manchester in 2009 graduating best in year and best organic chemist in year. Between 2009 and 2013 I was a PhD candidate at the University of Cambridge where I worked on the development of a de-novo strategy for targeting the Polo-like kinase 1 via it’s phosphorylated protein interaction domain and avoiding the challenges associated with selective kinase inhibition. From 2014 to 2017 I continued my work at the University of Cambridge where I completed a number of projects at the interface of chemistry and biology and all related to challenges in medicinal chemistry, using small molecules to solve big problems. In particular, I developed novel quorum sensing small molecule – antibiotic conjugates as a strategy to overcome some of the well-known resistance issues seen in clinical practice – something that could one day affect us all.Since 2017 I have been employed by Concept Life Sciences. I first took up a position as a Senior Chemist where I contributed to the delivery of complex small molecule organic synthesis projects by designing, executing and future-proofing workflows to final targets for biological screening and scale up. I was promoted to Lead Chemist in 2019 and took up a role leading a project that delivered hundreds of novel compounds for screening. My personal highlight was the delivery of a highly challenging target – which might yet proceed into the clinic. In 2020 I was again promoted, this time to Principal Research Scientist where I continued to project manage while simultaneously leveraging my contacts across the wider organisation to complete the synthesis and biological & structural characterisation of an antibody drug conjugate – in the process helping to launch and market the service. I applied for and was awarded the Research Leader position in January 2021 where I report to a department head. My primary focus is supporting the project managers to deliver client projects, but my reach extends across all functions of the business including leadership, business development, marketing, operations and innovation.Moving forward into the future, I certainly see myself taking up a role that allows a big-picture view of the pharmaceutical and life sciences market, delivering projects to help organisations grow, be successful and to further support the scientific-era in which we live.