Professor Gunther Andersson
Deputy Director
The G. Andersson lab focusses on surfaces and interfaces, specifically clusters on solid surfaces, liquid surfaces, corrosion and polymer interfaces. The lab has unique methods and equipment available and can investigate surfaces under broadly varying conditions ranging from ultra-high vacuum conditions to liquid surfaces with finite vapour pressure. The latter capability allows analysing surfaces under conditions that are relevant for their application under conditions relevant in industrial applications.
Gunther joined Flinders University in 2007 after working in Germany, where he developed the depth profiling technique Neutral Impact Collision Ion Scattering Spectroscopy (NICISS) with sub-nanometre depth resolution. In his labs he now uses a large range of electron spectroscopy techniques for chemical surface analysis and determining the valence electron structure of occupied and unoccupied electronic states. His lab has specialised in developing methodology and techniques to analyse interfaces under a broad range experimental conditions including high temperature and corrosive environments.
Professor Mats Andersson
Director
The M. Andersson lab research interests include organic chemistry, polymer synthesis and the structure – property relationship of conjugated materials. The lab has expertise in morphology characterisation as well as the application of polymers for many different industrially relevant topics including nanoparticles, polymer electronics, organic solar cells, insulating materials and antifouling coatings.
Mats is the Director of the Nano Institute and originally joined Flinders University and the Institute in 2017, as a Matthew Flinders Fellow. With strong links to Europe Mats, is also an affiliate professor at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, where he held the Chair in Polymer Chemistry 2007 to 2015.
The Chalker laboratory’s current research interests include organic chemistry, polymers, functional materials, sustainability, waste valorisation, environmental remediation, protein chemistry, chemical biology, sulfur chemistry, mercury remediation, and mercury- and cyanide-free gold mining.
Justin joined Flinders University in 2015 as a Lecturer in Synthetic Chemistry and a recipient ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Justin has been awarded the South Australian Tall Poppy of the Year (2017), South Australian Tertiary STEM Educator of the Year (2018), and the AMP Tomorrow Maker award (2018). In 2019, Justin was promoted to Associate Professor and recently to Professor. In 2020, Justin was awarded the Prime Minister’s Prize for New Innovators. For more on his research, visit the Chalker Lab.
The Coote lab applies a combination of theory and experimentation to study chemical reactivity and to design new catalysts and synthetic methods for application across polymer chemistry and small molecule synthesis. The current focus is on non-traditional methods of bond activation using electricity and light, and the group is a member of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Biology.
Michelle joined Flinders University in 2022 as a Matthew Flinders Professor in Chemistry, having moved from the Australian National University where she was a Georgina Sweet ARC Laureate Fellow. She is an Executive Editor of JACS, an elected fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, and has received numerous awards including the RACI Leighton, HG Smith, Rennie and Cornforth Medals. For more details on her research, see the Coote Lab.
Professor Sarah Harmer
Deputy Director
The Harmer group’s research interests range from condensed matter physics, surface spectroscopy and biominerals processing with extensive international collaborators including the University of Utrecht, McMaster University, University of Western Ontario, Canadian Light Source, Swiss Light Source, AML 3D, Norcada Inc., GLIER, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, MMG, FMG, Teck, Newmont, Okanes, MRIWA, AWE and the SA Government.
Sarah joined Flinders University in 2012 as an Australian Research Council Future Fellow. In 2018 she formed Flinders Microscopy and Microanalysis, bringing together microscopy facilities across the university and unique instrumentation through NCRIS and ARC LIEF grants.
Associate Professor Zhongfan Jia
The Jia lab focuses on the design, preparation, and characterisation of functional macromolecular structures to enable specific attributes and functions in engineered polymers. Using advanced organic and polymer chemistry, the group develops designer materials for applications in clean energy storage, green catalysis, sustainable environment, and health sectors.
Before joining Flinders University in 2020 as a Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, Zhongfan was a researcher and lecturer, with awards including an ARC Future Fellowship (2014–2018) and an Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowship (2018–2020).
Associate Professor Martin Johnston
The Johnston lab focuses on using organic chemistry to solve applied chemical problems across multiple sectors including forensic science and defence. The group extensively uses Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for the characterisation of samples to determine the content and purity as well as molecular structure.
Martin has worked extensively with a number of industries including Defence Science and Technology Group (DST), CSIRO, Forensic Science SA (FSSA) and Thales (Australian Munitions).
Associate Professor Ingo Köper
The Köper group focuses on the biological aspects of nanotechnology, mainly in the use and characterisation of model membrane systems. Related research topics include the synthesis and use of nanoparticles as drug-delivery vehicles. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and neutron scattering are the main techniques used.
Ingo came to Flinders University in 2009, from the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz, Germany.
The Leterme Laboratory focuses on aquatic microbes via two research streams: (1) the effects of environmental change such as drought, eutrophication on plankton biology and (2) biofilm formation on surfaces immersed in aquatic systems, including water treatment and desalination plants.
Sophie joined Flinders University in 2006 as a post-doctoral researcher working on the ecology of the Coorong wetlands. She won a Lecturer position in 2008, conducting research on the adaptation of plankton to salinity fluctuations. She was the deputy node leader of SA-IMOS (South Australian Integrated Marine Observing System); 2009-2015) and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2016. Sophie led the Biofilm Research & Innovation Consortium (2018-2021) and is now the director of The ARC Training Centre for Biofilm Research and Innovation. Sophie also leads a research program on microplastic pollutants in Australian coastal waters (@MicroplasticW).
The Lewis research group are currently focused on the creation of functional particles and surfaces at the nano and micro scales to address challenges in 3D printing, the creation of self-assembled biomimetic surfaces, printable solar cells and concentrated solar thermal energy.
David is a materials scientist with extensive experience in polymer chemistry through a career in both industry and academia, having held positions at IBM Research (in NY), SOLA Optical (now Carl Zeiss Vision) before joining Flinders University in 2009. Professor Lewis is the founding Director of the Nano Institute.
Associate Professor Melanie MacGregor
The MacGregor lab’s current research interests are functional nano-coatings. The research focuses on chemistry, wettability, reactivity and nano-topography of surfaces as key parameters to control the interaction between (bio)materials and their environment. The group specialises in plasma coating technology to produce engineered surfaces, primarily to address challenges faced by the biomedical and energy industries.
Melanie joined Flinders University in 2021 as an ARC Future Fellow, after completing a Santos–University College London Research Fellowship at the Future Industries Institute. For her work on translational industry-driven projects she received the 2017 Winnovation Award in the Engineering category, and a 2018 SA Young Tall Poppy Science Award. She was also named a Superstar of STEM by Science & Technology Australia for promoting diversity in the STEM sector.
Research in the Mitchell group focuses on the influences of nanometre to micrometre scale processes on microbial ecosystems. Research outcomes have been used in creating new nanotechnology, including microfluidics and nanofabrication. As part of this research the group also investigates environmental viruses (>10^8/ ml) and metagenomics.
Jim is the leading expert on small scale microbial processes with publications in Nature, Science and PNAS. He has been invited to present at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge University and the Gordon Research Conference on marine microbiology. Collaborators include the University of Tokyo, MIT and the University of Chicago.
The Quinton research group focuses on the atomic and molecular mechanisms at play on surfaces and interfaces with the goal of producing new technology enabled by nanostructures. This work encompasses surface modification, additive manufactured materials, corrosion protection, applied surface science and instrumentation development.
Jamie joined Flinders University in 2003 and was named the Flinders winner in the UniJobs Lecturer of the Year in 2009. He also received the Australian Learning and Teaching Council’s Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning in 2010. From 2022 he is taking on the role of Professor and Head of the School of Natural Sciences at Massey University in Aotearoa, New Zealand, though remains a Research leader at the Nano Institute with full academic status.
The Raston lab focuses its research on clean technology and green chemistry, microfluidics and self-assembly. With the invention of the vortex fluidic device (VFD), Prof. Raston has introduced a paradigm shift in continuous flow processing. Since 2012, over 200,000 experiments and 100 published papers have been completed on the VFD alone. The global impacts of the VFD are ongoing. In 2015, the device earned international recognition when Prof. Raston was awarded an Ig Nobel Prize in Chemistry for ‘partially unboiling’ an egg.
A Professor in Clean Technology and a former President of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) Professor Raston has received multiple awards including the RACI’s Green Chemistry Challenge Award, the H.G. Smith Award, the Burrows Award, the Leighton Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to the profession, and the Applied Research Award. In 2016 he was Appointed an Officer in of the Order of Australia, in 2018 was elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and in 2020 was South Australian Scientist of the Year.
The Tang lab focuses its research efforts on the structure–process–property relationships of composite materials and chemo-/biosensing. The emphasis is on the design and manufacture of materials and devices to solve broad challenges faced by industry. Marine, bioresource, biomedical and sensing sectors are of particular interest, as well as integration of novel aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens).
Youhong joined Flinders in 2012 from the University of Sydney. His awards include a Flinders University Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Early Career Researchers and an ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.
Julie Cairney
CEO, Microscopy Australia
Materials Characterisation, School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Sydney
Judy Halliday
Chief Operating Officer,
Office of the Chief Entrepreneur, SA Government
Nanotechnology leader Bio21, University of Melbourne
Len Piro
Former Executive Director
Department of State Development, SA Government
Alistair Rendell
Vice President and Executive Dean
College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University
Greg Simpson
Centre for Transformative Innovation, Faculty of Business and Law, Swinburne University of Technology
Kohei Uosaki
Director
Center for Green Research on Energy and Environmental Materials MANA Principal Investigator, International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, Japan
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
South Australia | Northern Territory
Global | Online
CRICOS Provider: 00114A TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12097 TEQSA category: Australian University
Flinders University uses cookies to ensure website functionality, personalisation and a variety of purposes as set out in its website privacy statement. This statement explains cookies and their use by Flinders.
If you consent to the use of our cookies then please click the button below:
If you do not consent to the use of all our cookies then please click the button below. Clicking this button will result in all cookies being rejected except for those that are required for essential functionality on our website.