Experience Summary
PHILIPPE BISSEL
Ph. D. in Organic Chemistry
Home (540) 382-1741 / Cell (540) 239-2912
philippebissel@gmail.com
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Multistep, Stereoselective Synthesis
• Heterocyclic and natural compounds
• Polypeptides by solid phase synthesis
• Labeled compounds
• Chiral catalysts
• Polymers
Purification and Analytical Methods
• Modern purification techniques
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
• Mass spectrometry
• Electro-chemical ionization-LC-MS/MS
• UV and in situ IR Spectroscopy
• Polymer analysis
Strong interdisciplinary and team experience
• Organic /polymer and biology chemistry interfaces
• Collaboration with universities and industries
Languages
• Bilingual English, French
• German Structure-activity relationship
• In vitro with monoamine oxidases
• In vivo with rodent model
Drug Metabolism / Enzyme kinetics
• Monoamine oxidase activity by UV
• CYP450 catalyzed oxidation of amines
• Pharmacodynamic constants in vitro
Strong Leadership and Coaching Experience
• Leading research projects
• Supervision of scientific personal
• Laboratory safety, work ethic
Lecturing
• Organic chemistry (150 students)
• General chemistry (700 students)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
April 2015-to present: Consultant with Biotherapeutic, Inc
December 2014-June 2015: Research Chemist
• Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Medicine Experiment Station
June -August 2012: Visiting professor
Virginia Tech, Chemistry Department, Blacksburg VA
Lecture in organic chemistry
January -May 2012: Visiting professor
Hollins University, Roanoke, VA
Lecture and lab in organic chemistry
January -May 2012: Visiting professor
Bluefield State College, Bluefield, WV
Lecture and lab in general chemistry
August 2011-Dec 2011: Visiting professor
Virginia Tech, Chemistry Department, Blacksburg VA
Lecture in general chemistry
January 2011-June 2011: Consultant
Virginia Tech, Macromolecules and Interfaces Institute, Blacksburg VA
Advise a research group on advanced small molecule synthesis as well as on fundamental principles of organic chemistry.
• Assist graduates students and post-graduated fellows in fundamental and synthetic organic chemistry.
• Advise research groups and professors on small molecules synthetic strategies.
April 2008-December 2010: Research Scientist, Group Leader
Virginia Tech, Macromolecules and Interfaces Institute, Blacksburg VA
Responsible for the design and synthesis of novel functionalized monomers and polymers.
• Committed to answer critical questions in biology and in materials science through the application of the fundamentals of organic chemistry. Helped build bridges between the design and synthesis of compounds and their future applications.
• Managed all aspects of the synthesis and characterization of monomers (heterocyclic, photosensitive compounds, amphiphiles, silylated nucleobases).
• Developed the synthesis of highly functionalized polymers by free radical and anionic polymerization.
• Evaluated the polymers performances in biology (gene delivery) and electronic devices (transducers).
• Functionalized Kraton, Inc. polymers for water purification membrane applications.
• Developed and synthesized new free Bisphenol A epoxy resins for canning applications.
• Involved in interdisciplinary, corporate and team work.
• Improved laboratory safety and students presentation skills.
• Advised Master, Ph.D. and Post-doctoral fellows in organic chemistry and work ethic.
• Collaborated with group adviser on managing students and defining research objectives.
January 2007-February 2008: Research Scientist, Group Leader
Virginia Tech, Chemistry Department, Blacksburg, VA
Responsible for the design and the synthesis of new biologically active compounds. Participated in the set-up of a new research group in the department.
• Synthesized multiple Lipase Kinase inhibitors for oncology and cell signaling research.
• Developed a methodology for the solid phase synthesis of dendrimetic polypeptides as
?-synuclein RNA inhibitors.
• Dyed RNA fragments by phosphoramidite chemistry.
• ?-Synuclein RNA by in vitro transcription.
• Supervised undergraduate and graduate students.
September 1998-December 2006: Research Scientist, Group Leader
Harvey W. Peters Research Center for the Study of Parkinson’s Disease, Virginia Tech, Chemistry Department, Blacksburg, VA
Responsible to elucidate the monoamine oxidase (MAO) and CYP450 catalyzed oxidation pathway of the parkinsonian-inducing neurotoxin MPTP and related cyclic tertiary allylamines.
• Synthesized and characterized MAO and CYP450 heterocyclic inhibitors.
• Investigated structure-activity relationship in vitro and in vivo.
• Determined pharmacodynamic constants in vitro (Km, Vmax, Ki, kinact).
• Monitored MAO activity by UV spectroscopy with purified enzymes.
• Extracted and purified mitochondrial preparations.
• Studied metabolic profile of amines (substrates of CYP450 and MAO) by electro-chemical ionization and mass spectrometry.
• Managed student research activity.
• Supervised undergraduate, graduate students, post-doc fellows and visiting professors.
January 1998-August 1998: Research Associate
Case Western Reserve University, Department of Macromolecules, Cleveland OH
In charge for the design of irreversible terminator multifunctional initiators and divergent synthesis of dendrimetic macromolecules.
• Synthesized and characterized different type of initiators.
April 1995-April 1996: Research Associate
Kyushu University, Chemistry Department, Fukuoka (Japan)
In charge of the design of news amphiphilic compounds as biomembrane models.
• Synthesis and characterization of amphiphiles.
• Study of their monolayer properties by ??-A-isotherms, FT-IR, XPS and AFM.
September 1991-March 1995: Graduate student
Université Louis Pasteur, Laboratoire de Dermatochimie, Strasbourg (France)
In charge for the successful stereoselective synthesis of natural sensitizing quinones.
• Developed a racemic multistep synthesis of 4-methoxydalbergione suitable for stereoselective synthesis.
• Synthesized iridium, ruthenium and rhodium chiral catalysts for homogeneous asymmetric catalytic hydrogenation.
• Studied the immune response in vivo by skin application on mice.
• Developed a model in vitro with cysteine derivatives.
September 1992- September 1994: Teaching associate
Université Robert Schuman, Institute of Technology, Strasbourg (France)
Planned and organized lecture and laboratory experiments in analytical, inorganic chemistry and chemical engineering
July-September 1986 and 1991: Trainee
Hoffman La-Roche, Basel (Switzerland)
Successfully conducted the stereoselective synthesis of many human pancreatic lipase inhibitors. One compound reached phase III clinical trial.
EDUCATION
Université Louis Pasteur (Strasbourg, France)
Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, (mention from the jury: very honorable)
Université Louis Pasteur (Strasbourg, France)
Master, Molecular Organic Chemistry and Supermolecular Chemistry
Université Louis Pasteur (Strasbourg, France)
B.S., Chemistry
Institut Universitaire de Technologie (Strasbourg, France)
2-years Technical diploma in Chemistry
High School Louis Armand (Mulhouse, France)
Baccalaureate in Science of Chemistry
AFFILIATIONS/CERTIFICATES
Grant recipient from the Ciba-Geigy Foundation of Japan, Outstanding Seminar Presentation Award, Virginia Tech, 2002, Member of the American Chemical Society (ACS), Member of Alpha Chi Sigma (National Chemistry Society). Soccer coach for the New River Soccer Association (volunteer)
PUBLICATIONS (17)/INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS (28)/PATENT DISCLOSURE (2)
Teaching Style
The school is the place where the tools and environment are available for students to satisfy their curiosity and desire to learn. The challenge for any teacher is to identify the needs of students coming from diverse backgrounds.
In the classroom, teaching means delivering the principles and concepts in a manner that students can understand and relate to. It is also important to connect the theory and application. For example, relating textbook knowledge of enzymes to real world applications such as drug metabolism can have a tremendous impact on generating the interests of students and helping them retain, explore and exploit the basic knowledge delivered in a course.
A highly engaging lecture may inspire students to become curious about material that is beyond the scope of the class. Therefore, outside of the classroom, teacher accessibility is vital. An open door policy is critical. A teacher should be sensitive to the student needs. It is particularly important to pay attention to students experiencing personal hardships that may exacerbate the difficulties they encounter in grasping basic concepts. Making a connection with the teacher and realizing that he cares can have a positive influence on the student’s personal future—be it in science or another career.
It is also important for me as a teacher to have confidence with students, to give them direction. Students need to be inspired to pursue independent ideas, even when their approaches may be tentative. We all learn from attempts that fail if a proper perspective is maintained.
Being a good teacher requires constant communication with students involving both giving advice and receiving feedback. I will be flexible and listen to the student’s needs.
My Hobbies
Choach of U8 soccer team at the New River United (NRUSA). Player of adult league at NRUSA. Handywork. Motorcycle.