Alumni news, updates and events
Stay connected with our alumni community and learn about the exciting things happening in the School.
Head of School
Message from the Head of School
As we have embarked on 2024, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on some of the remarkable achievements and highlights from 2023 that truly showcase the excellence and impact of our School.
Past and upcoming alumni events
Melbourne University Chemical Society program
For more information, visit the MUCS webpage.
- Wednesday 31 January
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4.15pm
Professor Peter Derlet, Paul Scherrer Institut, Switzerland
- Thursday 22 February
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4.15pm
Dr Elsa Dos Santos Antunes, James Cook University
- Wednesday 3 April
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4.15pm
Associate Professor Brooke Farrugia, The University of Melbourne
- Wednesday 1 May
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4.15pm
Dr Katherine Locock, CSIRO (2023 Valda McRae Memorial Lecture)
- Wednesday 5 June
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4.15pm
Dr Brad Clarke, The University of Melbourne
Chemistry Public Lectures
In 2023 the School of Chemistry launched the first public lecture of a new series which will run each year. Evan Bieske (pictured) presented an entertaining first lecture, titled, ‘Lost in space: interstellar chemistry and the mystery of the diffuse interstellar bands’, to almost 200 people, and received plenty of positive feedback. See the Pursuit article by Samuel Marlton and Christopher Hall to learn more about the topic.
Uta Wille made an excellent MC for the event, which was preceded by the ever-popular Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream show, thanks to Mick Moylan and crew. Hit the ‘Follow’ button on this page to be informed of upcoming lectures. The next lecture will be given this year by Uta Wille on how to feed the world and save the environment at the same time with chemically advanced fertilisers. Keep an eye out for the lecture date when it is announced.
Research highlights
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Supercharging computing with exciton logic
A roadmap to challenging conventional computing through excitonic logic has been published by Australian researchers in the journal Nature Reviews Chemistry.
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Understanding gut health: Chemists uncover missing link in sulfosugar breakdown
In 2023, the Williams Research Group published a study reporting on the discovery of a new enzyme that plays a pivotal role in the environmental breakdown of sulfoquinovose (SQ), an unusual sulfosugar produced by leafy green vegetables.
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Transforming agriculture: Drug discovery methods improve nitrogen fertiliser use efficiency
Researchers in the School of Chemistry have used a drug discovery-based approach to develop promising new nitrification inhibitors that improve nutrient uptake by plants during nitrogen fertilisation.
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Ferns found to produce crop-saving insecticide
A new study co-led by the School of Chemistry’s Professor Megan Maher has discovered a novel protein produced by ferns that is effective in protecting major crops from pests.
Celebrating achievements
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School of Chemistry Awards Night
The School of Chemistry celebrated its annual Student Awards evening on the 11th of October to celebrate the achievements of our outstanding students of 2022/2023.
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Dr Charlotte Petersen receives 2023 Selby Research Award
Faculty of Science researcher Dr Charlotte Petersen has received the prestigious annual Selby Research Award from the Selby Scientific Foundation for her outstanding work in chemistry.
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Chemistry major put to good use in Bangladesh
Bachelor of Science student, Uka (Jasmine) Nakahigashi has always had a passion for science, but it’s a desire to contribute to humanitarian causes that is driving her career in chemistry.
Alumni impact
Making a difference through impactful research and helping peers stay connected.
Professor Gavin Reid has been appointed to the Australian Research Council as Executive Director – Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences
Professor Reid is currently Associate Dean (Infrastructure) at the Faculty of Science and holds appointments in the School of Chemistry and the Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology. He will step down from the role of Associate Dean but will continue his funded research work at the School.
Science gets real: from problem to lab innovation to real-world impact
Industry, governments, and the public increasingly expect universities to translate research into real-world impact, but Australian researchers need more training, funding, and other expert support to meet these expectations, according to a panel of experts from the University of Melbourne.
Ken Jefferd, Managing Director of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation for the University of Melbourne, moderated discussion between panellists Professor David Gardner AM, the Scientific Director of Melbourne IVF, Dr Stacey Rudd, a Postdoctoral Fellow in the School of Chemistry, and Dr Shi Tang, a Research Fellow at Exciton Science. The panel was convened for the third event in the 2023 Science at Melbourne series, entitled ‘Science gets real: from problem to lab innovation to real-world impact’.
