Neil Norcross graduated from the University of Leeds with an BSc degree in Medicinal Chemistry in 2002. After working for a brief period with Dr. Mimi Hii at Kings' College London, Neil joined the BRG in 2003. His research concerned the development of a novel approach to the lupine alkaloids of the sparteine group based on the desymmetrization of C2V-symmetric tetraoxobispidine templates. Neil's efforts resulted in the realization of efficient racemic syntheses of alpha-isosparteine, beta-isosparteine, and sparteine. Outside of chemistry, Neil is a keen rugby player, golfer and likes to travel.

Norcross, N. R.; Melbardis, J. P.; Ferris Solera, M.; Sephton, M. A.; Kilner, C.; Zakharov, L. N.; Astles, P. C.; Warriner, S. L.; Blakemore,* P. R. "Total Synthesis of (±)-alpha-Isosparteine, (±)-beta-Isosparteine, and (±)-Sparteine From a Common Tetraoxobispidine Intermediate," J. Org. Chem. 2008, 73, 7939-7951. [LINK][abstract]

Blakemore, P. R.;* Norcross, N. R.; Warriner, S. L.; Astles, P. C. "A Stereocontrolled Synthesis of beta-Isosparteine," Heterocycles 2006, 70, 609-617. [LINK]

Blakemore,* P. R.; Kilner, C.; Norcross, N. R.; Astles, P. C. "A Practical Synthesis of (±)-alpha-Isosparteine from a Tetraoxobispidine Core," Org. Lett. 2005, 7, 4721-4724.[LINK]