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Previous group members

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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

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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.

Employed by Orica.

About to start a Ph.D. at UNSW

Alicia Evans

Honours Student, 2019

Honours thesis

Predicting the Basicity of N-Heterocyclic Carbenes

After the group ...

Tutors a range of subjects to a range of ages.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Michaela Wong

Honours Student, 2018

Honours thesis

Investigating the effects of solvate ionic liquids as solvents for substitution reactions

After the group ...

...

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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.

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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.

NMR and Laboratory Technician, University of Leicester.

Senior Technologist (NMR), Queensland University of Technology

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Max Guerry

Honours Student, 2014

Honours thesis

Direct and indirect nucleophilicity measurement of carbenes derived from 1,2,4-triazolium salts.

After the group ...

...

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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Si Jia Chan

Honours Student, 2008

Honours thesis

Oxygen-17 NMR Spectroscopy

to Follow Reaction Kinetics

After the group ...

...

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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

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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.

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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.

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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 ...

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