Science and Advocacy: Important Bedfellows

“No Strain, No Gain? Lessons in Catalysis”

Macromolecular Engineering (ME) can be defined as a process comprising rational design of (co)polymers with specific architecture and functionality, followed by precise and efficient polymer synthesis and processing in order to prepare advanced materials with target properties. Preparative ME requires controlled / living polymerization. Radical polymerization could be very well suited for ME  due to tolerance to many functionalities. Unfortunately, free radicals are difficult to be controlled, have very short life times (

Abstract available soon

Thirteen years after moving to Australia to pursue an academic career in organic chemistry, I find myself working for the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in a role I didn’t even know existed and working on jobs that I can’t talk about. So how did I get here? Is this really a good career for someone with a PhD? Are there other similar jobs out there? What do I do? What can I talk about? Do I make a difference?

Bioorthogonal chemical reactions have been utilised in bioconjugation and imaging strategies. While these reactions could be considered as “click-and-stick” type reactions, our group is interested in taking advantage of a “click-and-release” type strategy for controlled drug delivery and diagnostic applications. To achieve sufficient activation in vivo, the initial reaction must be fast and the drug must dissociate from the linker to exert its biological response.