Joel Hooper

Dr. Joel Hooper is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Chemistry at Monash University. His research focuses on organic synthesis and catalysis, with applications in bioactive molecules, polymers, and nanomaterials. He leads projects in transition-metal and organocatalysis, polymer synthesis, and carbon nanomaterials. Hooper has secured funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC) and collaborates internationally on sustainable materials and catalytic methodologies.

His expertise aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in sustainable industrial processes and responsible consumption. Hooper supervises PhD students in catalysis, polymer chemistry, and materials science, offering fully funded projects. He pioneered methods like decarboxylative radical polymerization and explored graphene as a catalyst for chiral chemistry. Key collaborations include work on vitrimer composites for defense applications and engineered enzymes for cyclic peptide synthesis.

Hooper’s research outputs span journals like Angewandte Chemie, Chemical Communications, and Materials Today Chemistry. His lab develops novel synthetic pathways, emphasizing green chemistry and functional materials. He actively engages in research networks, including projects on thermoresponsive hydrogels and polymer-grafted nanocellulose.