Molecular Design and Synthesis

Overview
Our research in this discipline examines the generation of new molecules and materials as well as the study of their chemical and physical properties.
Our work impacts on a wide variety of advanced manufacturing technologies ranging from medical to industrial settings.
Our experts
Associate Professor Kathryn Fairfull-Smith
Discipline LeaderAssociate Professor Kathryn Fairfull-Smith is an an ARC Future Fellow and recipient of a 2017 Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in research.
Her work primarily focuses on using organic synthesis to build molecules or functionalise surfaces and polymers, for applications including drug delivery and imaging.
Professor Christopher Barner-Kowollik
Professor and Australian Laureate FellowProfessor Christopher Barner-Kowollik has been recognised with an Australian Laureate Fellowship along with more than $3M in ARC funding.
He is also head of the QUT Soft Matter Materials Laboratory and leads the Macroarc team which focuses on a wide range of polymer-related research fields.
Associate Professor Leonie Barner
Principal Research FellowAssociate Professor Leonie Barner’s current ARC Linkage grant will fund an advanced technology platform for the development of enhanced chromatographic materials, in partnership with a leading manufacturer in analytical instruments.
Professor Steven Bottle
ProfessorProfessor Steven Bottle has expertise in the synthesis and applications of nitroxide free radicals in diagnostics, medicines and materials. He is the current President Elect of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.
Dr Nathan Boase
LecturerDr Nathan Boase’s work is investigating how to design and synthesise polymeric materials with highly controlled chemical properties, to improve their use as antibacterial coatings and imaging agents for detecting disease.
He is also interested in in how we engage and teach the next generation of chemists.
Associate Professor Tim Dargaville
ARC Future FellowAssociate Professor Tim Dargaville is developing new polymers and plastics as materials for implantation into the body to treat disease and other conditions. Applications include:
- devices to cure type I diabetes
- surfaces that improve integration of implanted materials
- injectable gels for drug delivery
- vaccine delivery devices for animals.
Dr David Marshall
Postdoctoral FellowDr David Marshall manages the CARF Mass Spectrometry Development Laboratory, partnering with users to acquire high quality mass spectrometry data across various applications, including lipids, polymers, and supramolecular complexes.
Within these research areas, David maintains a keen research interest in applying fundamental ion chemistry and spectroscopy to determine the structure, energetics and reactivity of gas-phase ions.
Associate Professor Prashant Sonar
Associate ProfessorAssociate Professor Prashant Sonar and his team at the Organic and Printed Electronic Research Group are developing high performance, low cost, carbon-based semiconductors for advanced electronic devices.
Meet our experts

- Position
- Professor
- Division / Faculty
- Molecular Design and Synthesis,
School of Chemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering - Research fields
- Organic Chemistry
- Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry
- Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry
- s.bottle@qut.edu.au

- Position
- Professor
- Division / Faculty
- Molecular Design and Synthesis,
School of Chemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering - Research fields
- Physical Chemistry (incl. Structural)
- Chemical Engineering
- Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry
- hy.zhu@qut.edu.au

- Position
- Australian Laureate Fellow
- Division / Faculty
- Molecular Design and Synthesis,
School of Chemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering - Research field
- Nanotechnology
- christopher.barnerkowollik@qut.edu.au

- Position
- Associate Professor
- Division / Faculty
- Molecular Design and Synthesis,
School of Chemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering - Research fields
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry (incl. Structural)
- j.mcmurtrie@qut.edu.au

- Position
- Associate Professor
- Division / Faculty
- Molecular Design and Synthesis,
School of Chemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering - Research fields
- Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Other Chemical Sciences
- sonar.prashant@qut.edu.au

- Position
- Principal Research Fellow
- Division / Faculty
- Molecular Design and Synthesis,
School of Chemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering - Research field
- Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry
- leonie.barner@qut.edu.au

- Position
- Future Fellow
- Division / Faculty
- Molecular Design and Synthesis,
School of Chemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering - Research field
- Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry
- t.dargaville@qut.edu.au

- Position
- Future Fellow
- Division / Faculty
- Molecular Design and Synthesis,
School of Chemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering - Research fields
- Organic Chemistry
- Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry
- Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry
- k.fairfull-smith@qut.edu.au

- Position
- Senior Lecturer
- Division / Faculty
- Molecular Design and Synthesis,
School of Chemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering - Research fields
- Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry (incl. Structural)
- j.blinco@qut.edu.au

- Position
- Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science
- Division / Faculty
- Molecular Design and Synthesis,
School of Chemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering - Research field
- Analytical Chemistry
- e.kiriakous@qut.edu.au

- Position
- Senior Lecturer
- Division / Faculty
- Molecular Design and Synthesis,
School of Chemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering - Research fields
- Analytical Chemistry
- Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry (incl. Structural)
- kathleen.mullen@qut.edu.au

- Position
- Lecturer
- Division / Faculty
- Molecular Design and Synthesis,
School of Chemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering - Research fields
- Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Physical Chemistry (incl. Structural)
- nathan.boase@qut.edu.au