Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Dr Alan Roth

Dr. Alan D. Roth has been named as the Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Oxford for the next two years.

Created under the auspices of The Royal Society, this is only the second year of this national initiative. The role of the Entrepreneur in Residence will be to strengthen the links between the University’s teaching and research and entrepreneurial culture. A Director of Fitzroy Partners Ltd, Alan will be based in the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division offering his support across the University. 

Pro Vice-Chancellor for Innovation, Prof. Chas Bountra, said: ‘We are delighted that Alan will be the University of Oxford’s first Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence. His knowledge and experience will be a real asset, enabling us to support our DPhil students and ECRs in developing their enterprise skills for careers within and beyond academia.’ 

Professor Sam Howison, Head of the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division, said ‘Dr Roth’s appointment will strengthen and build on the solid existing relationships across the University, translating Oxford’s excellence in science and engineering into impactful, real world ventures.’ 

Commenting on his appointment, Alan Roth said: ‘I am delighted and honoured to be elected by The Royal Society to serve as Entrepreneur in Residence at Oxford. I look forward to working with fellow scientists throughout the University to make more effective the translation of its world-leading research to society’s benefit. It is also a great opportunity to become part of the ongoing entrepreneurship efforts.’ 

‘There is a growing trend and interest among academic scientists globally – equally strongly at Oxford – to become more actively engaged with the commercial potential of their work. This trend is increasingly translating discoveries and inventions into benefits for society faster and more efficiently. My aim is to actively support this trend at Oxford with coursework centred on scientists and related activities.’ 

Alan’s career in the life sciences combines academia and business. He completed his postdoctorate in organic chemistry at the Dyson Perrins Laboratory under Professor Sir Jack Baldwin FRS and during his tenure was awarded the Edward Chapman Research Prize from Magdalen College. Prior to his PhD in organic and organometallic chemistry from Columbia University in the United States, he worked in the discovery of new anti-infective therapeutics at Merck & Co., Inc. His international work in business comprises management consultancy at McKinsey & Company, where he received his business training, and equity investments at Commerzbank Asset management where in addition to the healthcare and life sciences portfolios he lead global investment research across diverse industries. He co-founded and took public as first CEO the biotechnology company Chiral Quest, Inc. which continues to be a leading provider of chiral components to the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. At Fitzroy, Alan develops new health sciences ventures focused on emerging areas. 

As part of the programme, next Michaelmas term he will continue to teach his course in scientific entrepreneurship which he specifically designed for graduate students, postdoctoral staff and faculty across the science, engineering and medicine departments of the University.

See the full list of 2019 recipients.

About the Royal Society Entrepreneurs in Residence

A total of fifteen entrepreneurs, senior scientists and business leaders have been appointed as Royal Society Entrepreneurs in Residence in 2019, joining the nineteen appointed in 2018. The scheme has now funded placements in 24 universities across the UK and will be re-opening for a third round in June 2019. See more information on the Royal Society website.