Researchers
Background
I completed my undergraduate studies at Monash University, where I obtained a Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry. I then undertook a research project with Dr Kellie Tuck and Dr Peter Duggan with which I graduated with first class honours.
This project was focused on the synthesis of novel peptidomimetics of the potent N-type VGCC, ω-conotoxin GVIA, found in venom of the cone snail Conus geographus.
I then took the opportunity to travel South America for one year, before returning to Australia and moving to Brisbane. Here, I enlisted as a member of Dr Craig Williams group at the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences (SCMB) at the University of Queensland, with the desire to obtain a PhD. My research here was synthetic organic chemistry, in the field of total synthesis of natural products. The outcome of this research was the first total synthesis of Mexicanolide and a number of related limonoids.
Following my successful completion of a PhD I then transferred to the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) where I joined the group of Prof. David Fairlie. Here I look forward to working within a fully integrated team of computational chemists, synthetic chemists, biologists and pharmacologists with the ability and resources to design, synthesise and test novel compounds against a broad range of disease states.
Research Interests
- Synthesis of small molecule antimicrobial and antiviral drugs that combat resistance and address diseases with no current treatment.
- Synthesis of selective small molecule agonist and antagonists of receptors related to cognition and behaviour.
- Design and development of selective and environmentally friendly pesticides for agricultural and domestic applications.
Publications
- Faber, J. M., & Williams, C. M. (2011). A concise total synthesis of (±)-cipadonoid B from synthetic azedaralide. Chemical Communications, 47(8), 2258-2260.
- Schwartz, B. D., Porzelle, A., Jack, K. S., Faber, J. M., Gentle, I. R., & Williams, C. M. (2009). Cyclic enones as substrates in the morita-baylis-hillman reaction: Surfactant interactions, scope and scalability with an emphasis on formaldehyde. Advanced Synthesis and Catalysis, 351(7-8), 1148-1154.
- Duggan, P. J., Faber, J. M., Graham, J. E., Lewis, R. J., Lumsden, N. G., & Tuck, K. L. (2008). Synthesis and Cav2.2 binding data for non-peptide mimetics of ω-conotoxin GVIA based on a 5-amino-anthranilamide core. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 61(1), 11-15.
