معرفی
Dr. Brendan Wilkinson serves as Senior Lecturer in Organic Chemistry within the School of Science and Technology at the University of New England (UNE), where he was appointed lecturer in 2016 and promoted to senior lecturer in 2019. His research bridges chemistry, biology, and physics to develop innovative bioactive materials with applications in cryopreservation, drug delivery, and antimicrobial therapy.
His academic foundation includes:
- BSc (Hons) from Griffith University (2003)
- PhD from Griffith University (2007) under Dr. Todd Houston and Prof. Sally-Ann Poulsen
Wilkinson's research program critically examines carbohydrate biomaterials through three interconnected pillars: (1) developing carbohydrate-based cryoprotectants and ice growth inhibitors, (2) engineering glycopeptide-polymer conjugates for cancer vaccines, and (3) creating photoswitchable glycoconjugates for controlled drug release. His work uniquely combines dynamic combinatorial chemistry, supramolecular self-assembly, and carbohydrate surfactant design to address challenges in biopreservation and targeted therapeutics, with recent focus on sustainable materials from Australian biomass.
Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals consistent emphasis on ice recrystallization inhibition mechanisms (appearing in 7 papers), photoswitchable carbohydrate systems (6 papers), and glycopeptide-based biomaterials (5 papers), demonstrating strategic progression from fundamental molecular design toward biomedical applications.
His scientific recognition includes:
- ARC Discovery Early Career Research Award (2013)
- RACI Athel Beckwith lectureship (2017)
Wilkinson actively supervises three PhD students and secures competitive funding through:
- Current Grants:
- ARC Discovery Project DP190101010: 'Rational development of carbohydrate-based cryoprotectants'
- ARC Linkage Project LP180100752: 'Sustainable Surfactants from Australian oilseeds' Past Funding:
- ARC DECRA DE130101673: 'Synthesis of biomimetic carbohydrate receptors'
His research group operates through strategic international partnerships with Prof. Robert Ben (Ottawa), Prof. Gary Bryant (RMIT), Prof. Charl Faul (Bristol), and Prof. Vipul Bansal (RMIT), focusing on translating carbohydrate chemistry into functional biomaterials with commercial potential.
