The Harper Research Group
Dr Kenny Liu
Honours Student, 2017
Ph.D. Student, 2019-2023
Ph.D. thesis
Investigating the solvent-solute interactions of ionic liquids using bisimidazolium ionic liquids as a model
Honours thesis
The effects of an ionic liquid on a substitution reaction involving a sigma delocalised system
After the group ...
Currently Postdoctoral Fellow,
RMIT Unviersity
Yijie (Jeffrey) Gao
Honours Student, 2021
Honours thesis
Rational application of ionic liquids to the preparation of pharmaceutically relevant compounds
After the group ...
Studying Masters of Data Science at the University of Sydney
Dr Alyssa Gilbert
Research Assistant, 2020-2021
Ph.D. Student, 2017-2020
Honours Student, 2016
Ph.D. Thesis
Understanding the effects of ionic liquids as solvents
on reactions involving carbocation intermediates
Honours thesis
Investigating the microscopic origins of ionic liquid solvent effects on a unimolecular substitution reaction
After the group ...
Clinical evidence writer, Cochlear
Maxwell Coney
Honours Student, 2020
Honours thesis
Investigating the effects of an ionic liquid on nucleofugality of chloride
After the group ...
B.Eng.(Hons) degree at University of New South Wales.
Currently works for Orica
Alicia Evans
Honours Student, 2019
Honours thesis
Predicting the Basicity of N-Heterocyclic Carbenes
After the group ...
Currently on a break from a Ph.D. at University of New South Wales
Matthew Taylor
Honours Student, 2019
Honours thesis
The effects of mixtures of ionic liquids on the outcome of a nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction
After the group ...
Currently Indigenous Support Officer, School of Medicine, University of New South Wales.
Dr Karin Schaffarczyk McHale
Research Assistant, 2019
Ph.D. Student, 2016-2019
Honours Student, 2015
Ph.D. Thesis
Understanding how variation of the reagents affects ionic liquid solvent effects for substitution processes
Honours thesis
Investigating ionic liquid effects on nucleophilic substitution reactions: Variation of the nucleophilic heteroatom
After the group ...
Graduate teaching degree (University of New South Wales)
Currently an Associate Lecturer, School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales.
Dr Aidan Jowett
Ph.D. Student, 2015-2019
Ph.D. Thesis
Biphasic carbon dioxide/ionic liquid systems for performing reactions and extractions
After the group ...
Returned to the ACT, works in the public service.
Michaela Wong
Honours Student, 2018
Honours thesis
Investigating the effects of solvate ionic liquids as solvents for substitution reactions
After the group ...
...
Dr Benjamin Lau
Ph.D. Student, 2015-2018
Ph.D. Thesis
Processing of lignocellulosic biomass and its components using hydroxide solutions
After the group ...
Research Assistant, Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Sales Executive, Gene Co. Ltd,
Hong Kong.
Currently Science Laboratory Technician,
Knox Grammar School, Sydney.
Dr Rebecca Hawker
Research Assistant, 2018
Ph.D. Student, 2014-2018
Honours Student, 2013-2014
Ph.D. Thesis
Controlling reaction outcome through rational selection of the components of an ionic liquid solvent
Honours thesis
Novel chloroimidazolium-based ionic liquids: preparation, characterisation and behaviour as solvents to affect reaction outcome
After the group ...
Research Associate, University of Sheffield.
Currently NMR and Laboratory Technician, University of Leicester.
Dr Nicholas Konstandaras
Research Assistant, 2018
Ph.D. Student, 2014-2018
Honours Student, 2013
Ph.D. Thesis
Correlating structure and reactivity.
Electronic and strain effects in a range of systems
Honours thesis
Correlating the structure and properties of thiazolium salts with the catalytic efficacy of the corresponding carbenes: Towards a rational choice of carbene precatalysts
After the group ...
Currently Laboratory Manager, School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales
Dr Jeffrey Black
Ph.D. Student, 2015-2018
Ph.D. Thesis
Thermoelectrochemical cells for harvesting
thermal energy
After the group ...
Currently Lecturer, School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales.
Dr Christopher Barnett
Ph.D. Student, 2014-2017
Honours Student, 2013
Ph.D. Thesis
Investigating N-Heterocyclic Carbene
Electronic Characteristics
Honours thesis
A study of the correlation of abnormal/mesoionic NHC stereoelectronics with organocatalytic activity
After the group ...
Quality Assurance and Process Validation Chemist, Trendpac.
Currently Research Associate, School of Chemistry, University of Sydney.
Dr William Hart
Ph.D. Student, 2014-2017
Honours Student, 2013
Ph.D. Thesis
Examination into the depolymerisation of
lignin in ionic liquids
Honours thesis
Identification and analysis of model compounds for the dissolution of biomass components in ionic liquids
After the group ...
Scientist, DxVentures.
Currently Technical Sales Representative, Resolution Labs, LLC.
Dr Sinead Keaveney
Ph.D. Student, 2013-2016
Honours Student, 2012
Ph.D. Thesis
Understanding and predicting the outcomes of organic processes in ionic liquids
Honours thesis
Studies towards the use of an ionic liquid to bias the outcome of organic processes
After the group ...
Research Associate, RWTH Aachen University (Germany).
Research Fellow, Macquarie University.
Currently Lecturer in Chemistry, University of Wollongong.
Tom Frith
Honours Student, 2015
Honours thesis
Rational expansion of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
After the group ...
Graduate Diploma in Chartered Accounting.
Consultant, EY.
Corporate Acquisition and Finance, Investec.
Currently, Investment Banking Analyst, Adastra.
Timothy Elton
Honours Student, 2015
Honours thesis
Correlating NHC properties with their catalytic function: Towards tailoring carbenes for catalysis
After the group ...
Ph.D. in Chemistry,
University of New South Wales.
Dr Bradley Butler
Ph.D. Student, 2010-2015
Honours Student, 2008
Ph.D. Thesis
Solvent effects of ionic liquids on a reaction at a phosphorus centre
Honours thesis
A chemically switched surface using 'click' chemistry
After the group ...
Brewer, Reddot Brewhouse and then Two Birds Brewing.
Account Manager, IMCD Australia.
Currently, Associate Equipment Specialist, Denstply Sirona.
Max Guerry
Honours Student, 2014
Honours thesis
Direct and indirect nucleophilicity measurement of carbenes derived from 1,2,4-triazolium salts.
After the group ...
...
Dr Michelle Dunn
Ph.D. Student, 2011-2014
Honours Student, 2010
Ph.D. Thesis
Effects of structure on the acidity of heterocyclic carbon acids: Towards correlations with catalytic efficiency
Honours thesis
Synthesis of γ-Butyrolactones by Conjugate Addition using Imidazolium Precatalysts
After the group ...
Graduate Programme in the Australian Public Service.
Dr Stephen
George-Williams
Ph.D. Student, 2010-2014
Honours Student, 2009
Ph.D. Thesis
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: Synthesis optimisation and investigations into the effects of rigidity, extended conjugation and curvature on reactivity
Honours thesis
Understanding heterocyclic reactions in ionic liquids: Regioselectivity and rates
After the group ...
A (second) Ph.D. in Chemical Education, Monash University.
Currently Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, University of Sydney.
Dr Dominic Francis
Research Assistant, 2013-2014
Ph.D. Student, 2010-2013
Ph.D. Thesis
Towards Functional Fluorous Surfactants
After the group ...
Techinical Officer, University of New South Wales.
Currently Senior Technical Officer, University of Sydney.
Eden Tanner
Honours Student, 2012
Honours thesis
Modifying components of an ionic liquid in order to understand solute-solvent interactions in substitution processes
After the group ...
Ph.D. in Chemistry, Oxford University.
Research Associate, Oxford University.
Research Associate, Harvard University.
Currently, Assistant Professor in Chemistry, University of Mississippi.
Louis Moran
Honours Student, 2011
Honours thesis
Diketopiperazines as chiral scaffolds for the atropdiastereoselective synthesis of biaryl ethers
After the group ...
Ph.D. in Chemistry, Australian National University.
Currently, Regulatory Scientist, Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.
Dr Hon Man Yau
Ph.D. Student, 2008-2011
Honours Student, 2007
Ph.D. Thesis
A Systematic Approach to Understanding Organic Reactivity in Ionic Liquids: Changes in Cybotacticity-Induced Solvent Heterogeneity as an Important Determinant In Reaction Outcomes of Substitution
Honours thesis
Understanding Substitution Processes in Ionic Liquids
After the group ...
Alexander von Humbolt Research Fellow, Justus Liebigs University Giessen (Germany).
Sales Representative, LabFriend.
Matthew Gyton
Honours Student, 2009
Honours thesis
An Ionic Liquid Derived N-Heterocyclic Carbene: Synthesis, Characterisation and Catalytic Utility
From food to ionic liquids
After the group ...
Ph.D. in Chemistry,
University of New South Wales
Currently Lecturer in Chemistry,
University of Wollongong
Erika Davies
Honours Student, 2008-2009
Honours thesis
Understanding water availability:
From food to ionic liquids
After the group ...
Ph.D. in Chemistry, Cambridge University.
NMR Facility Manager, Macquarie University.
Currently, Air Flight Controller, ACT.
Si Jia Chan
Honours Student, 2008
Honours thesis
Oxygen-17 NMR Spectroscopy
to Follow Reaction Kinetics
After the group ...
...
Jeremy Provan
Honours Student, 2008
Honours thesis
Towards Carbon Constructs for
Carbon Nanotube Separation
After the group ...
Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery, University of Notre Dame.
Medical Resident, NSW Health.
Currently a General Practitioner,
Lake Munmorah.
Camille Holt
(née Rosella)
Honours Student, 2007-2008
Honours thesis
Nitrile oxide cycloadditions in molecular
solvents and ionic liquids
After the group ...
Ph.D. in Chemistry,
University of New South Wales.
Currently, Research and Development Supervisor, Boral.
Susan Tan
(née Ireland)
Honours Student, 2007-2008
Honours thesis
Switchable surfaces
After the group ...
Production Engineer, Sydney Water.
Ph.D. in Chemistry,
University of New South Wales.
Currently Medical Writer,
Envision Pharma Group.
Maggie Ng
Honours Student, 2007
Honours thesis
Synthesis and characterisation of tetraphenyl
group XIV derivatives
After the group ...
Ph.D. in Chemistry,
University of New South Wales.
Analyst and Assistant Director,
Intellectual Ventures.
Vice President then Chief of Staff, Xinova.
Currently, Director, NOAH Connect Pty Ltd.
Cheuk Chi Albert Ng
Honours Student, 2006
Honours thesis
Controlled Growth of Organic Semiconductors on Si(100)
After the group ...
Ph.D. in Chemistry,
University of New South Wales.
Research Associate,
Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Bradley Man
Honours Student, 2004 & 2005
Honours theses (!)
Ionic Liquids as Novel Reaction Media:
A study into substitution reactions
​
The Development of a Biologically
Inspired Fuel Cell
After the group ...
Ph.D. in Chemistry,
University of New South Wales.
Worked at IP Australia.
Currently, Patent Researcher, Clarivate.
Tara Daniel
(née Callingham)
Honours Student, 2005
Honours thesis
Dispersing nanotubes in biological molecules with a view to fabricating sensing fibres
After the group ...
Technician, Severn Trent Water.
Currently, Manager, Goulburn Valley Water.
Kylie Clayton
Honours Student, 2004
Honours thesis
An Insight into the Cyclisation of
Indole Derivatives
After the group ...
Editor, Wiley Journals.
Currently, Medical Copywriter.
Matthew Fitzhenry
Honours Student, 2003
Honours thesis
Preparation of Diketopiperazine Derivatives for a Study into the Control of Atropisomerism
After the group ...
Currently Senior Analytical Scientist, Australian Proteome Analysis Facility (APAF), Macquarie University.