Primary research interest

Inorganic chemistry - coordination chemistry

About me

After completing my undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Newcastle, I held a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Basel (Switzerland) from 1990-2. I returned to Australia in 1993 to take up an Australian Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Australian National University (Canberra) from 1993-4. I joined The University of Queensland in 1994.

Research focus and collaborations

Protein electrochemistry

This research involves incorporating redox active enzymes with electrochemical systems such that the enzyme functions natively whilst in communication with an electrode (rather than with a natural electron transfer partner). We are currently investigating a number of systems, most from the molybdenum enzyme family that catalyse oxygen transfer reactions of both organic and inorganic substrates.

Copper complexes as atom transfer catalysts

Cu(I) amine complexes are known to be very effective atom transfer catalysts and can react with organic halides to release radicals for secondary reactions. Our group, in collaboration with Prof. Craig Williams, SCMB), is investigating this area with a goal of using electrochemistry to generate these reactive complexes in solution and develop new synthetic methods for making C-C bonds.

Funded projects 

  • Australian Research Council Discovery Project 2024-2026
    Emergent organocopper complexes as robust catalysts for electrosynthesis
    Total value of grant: $521,837
  • Australian Research Council Discovery Project 2022-2024
    Bioelectrochemical interconversion of the building blocks of life 
    Total value of grant: $390,000
  • Australian Research Council Discovery Project 2021-2023
    Pioneering stable copper carbanions for new C-C bond forming paradeigms
    Total value of grant: $390,000
  • Australian Research Council Discovery Project 2019-2021
    Molybdenum enzyme electrochemical communication 
    Total value of grant: $351,142
  • Australian Research Council Discovery Project 2015-2017
    Enzyme Electrochemical Communication
    Total value of grant: $319,812
  • Australian Research Council Discovery Project 2015-2017
    The fate of copper in atom transfer radical reactions
    Total value of grant: $308,412
  • Australian Research Council Discovery Project 2012-2014
    Short circuiting redox enzymes
    Total value of grant:  $298,000
  • Australian Research Council Discovery Project 2010-2012
    Spotlighting biologically active Fe chelators within cells
    Total value of grant: $330,000
  • National Health and Medical Research Council Project Grant with the University of Sydney 2009-2011
  • Australian Research Council Discovery Project 2008-2010
    Electrochemically driven molybdoenzyme catalysis
    Total value of grant: $367,000
  • Pharmacology of potential anti-tumour agents: iron chelators of the BpT class 
    P Bernhardt, D Richardson, D Kalinoqwski, D Lovejoy
    Total value of grant: $563,500

Teaching interests

Transition metal chemistry, coordination chemistry, electrochemistry, crystallography

Awards and achievements

  • Associate Editor, Australian Journal of Chemistry 2008-present
  • Australian Research Council College of Experts (Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences, 2011-2013)
  • Chair RACI Inorganic Chemistry Division 2007-2010
  • RACI President 2014-2016
  • Burrows Award from the RACI Inorganic Chemistry Division

Featured publications

Researcher biography

After completing my undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Newcastle, I held a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Basel (Switzerland) from 1990-2. I returned to Australia in 1993 to take up an Australian Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Australian National University (Canberra) from 1993-4. I joined The University of Queensland in 1994.