Our people
Ascent Scientific is managed by a team of skilled and experienced professionals bringing an understanding and empathy of the requirements of the pharmaceutical, agrochemical and chemistry related industries. Their combined expertise enables Ascent Scientific to offer a wide range of specialist manufacturing and analytical skills, together with project management and customer service excellence.
Steve Roome, General Manager
Steve has considerable research and commercial experience in synthetic organic chemistry, gained within the chemical industry. Steve obtained his PhD at the University of Nottingham and took up an industrial post doctoral position at the University of Sussex. He then spent 10 years with Tocris Cookson Ltd., finally leaving the senior management team to join the commercial unit at GE Healthcare (formerly Amersham Biosciences). Steve co-founded Ascent Scientific in early 2005.
Iain Sandison, Head of Chemistry
Iain has over 13 years experience in the fine chemical industry. Prior to Ascent Scientific, Iain spent time at Rhone Poulenc involved in process development, and later worked at Tocris Bioscience where he gained specialist experience in the synthesis of a wide range of chemicals including amino acids.
Heong Wai Tse, Chemistry Manager
Heong Wai has over 15 years experience in synthetic chemistry and research, with specialist expertise in medicinal chemistry, and novel bioactive chemicals. His doctorate with Dr David Jane at the University of Bristol was directed towards the synthesis and development of novel mGlu receptor ligands. Heong Wai has published numerous papers and patents on this subject. Prior to Ascent Scientific, he led the amino acid chemistry group at Tocris Bioscience. As well as a wealth of chemistry experience, he brings expertise in project management and an in-depth knowledge of the requirements of the pharmaceutical industry.
Kevin Howard, Chemistry Manager
Kevin Howard has nearly 20 years experience in synthetic chemistry and contract research, with specialist expertise in customer-focused chemistry. Kevin obtained his doctorate working with Professor Ray Jones at Nottingham University. He has worked in pharmaceutical, commercial and research settings across the globe, including Zeneca, Rhone Poulenc and Tocris Bioscience.
Anna Mogford, Product Pipeline Manager
Anna has extensive analytical and quality control experience in commercial and pharmaceutical settings. Trained in Forensic and Analytical Chemistry at Strathclyde University, Anna has worked for a number of life science companies, including Abbott Laboratories and Tocris Bioscience. Now running a state-of-the-art analytical department at Ascent Scientific, she specialises in LCMS and HPLC and uses her experience and skill to maintain Ascent Scientific's worldwide reputation for quality.
Paul Byrne, Chemistry Manager
Paul has over a decade of experience in synthetic chemistry and contract research, with specialist expertise in natural product synthesis, amino acids and heterocyclic chemistry. Paul obtained his doctorate working with Dr Clive Penkett at the University of Sussex. Having collaborated with partners in both academic and pharmaceutical organisations, Paul brings a wealth of customer focus to his role at Ascent Scientific.
Management Team
Ascent Scientific's management team has been selected for their drive, energy, experience, and flexibility. With many years experience of team and project management they bring an extensive range of specialist chemical synthetic expertise and customer focus.
