Research Discipline : Chemistry
 
Research Area
This concept of creating molecular electronic devices has resulted in the development and rapid advance of the field of supramolecular chemistry. Synthetic developments using fundamental concepts such as preorganisation, molecular recognition, self-assembly and template-directed synthesis has resulted in a dramatic increase in the quantity and variety of supramolecular systems that can be made with the potential for functioning as molecular devices.
Our work looks at using interlocked architectures as the basis for the development of
 

1. Sensors : which can encapsulate and sense environmentally or medicinally important anions;
2. Switches or shuttles : in which the orientation or properties of an interlocked system can be changed through the application of external stimuli; and 
3. Solid tethered supramolecular systems : to determine the impact of surface confinement on the dynamic molecules and ultimately move towards systems with more practical applications

 
Areas of Expertise

• Supramolecular chemistry
• Organic synthesis
• Molecular recognition

 
Selected Research Projects

• Anion Sensing by Mechanically-Interlocked Molecules
• pH ‘Switchable’ Catenanes and Rotaxanes
• Surface Tethered Molecular Devices

 
Career Highlights

• Current – Lecturer, Queensland University of Technology
• 2009-2011 – Postdoctoral research at the University of Edinburgh
• 2007-2009 – Postdoctoral research at the University of Oxford
• 2004-2007 – PhD in Chemistry at the University of New England
• 2000-2002 – B. Science (Adv) with 1st Class Honours at the University of New England