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Role in the Centre
Kathryn is an organic chemist with more than 15 years experience in the use of organic synthesis to design and build molecules or functionalise surfaces and polymers for various applications. Within the Centre, Kathryn takes the role of Co-Director, with a focus on chemistry-driven research efforts with respect to Materials Science. One of her key objectives as Co-Director is to expand the scientific capabilities and expertise of the Centre whilst supporting the development and growth of early career researchers. Kathryn’s research work has contributed greatly to the study of nitroxides in biological systems, polymer degradation and environmental pollution. Within the Centre, Kathryn contributes to the projects exploring the development of anti-fouling and anti-inflammatory materials and coatings which utilise nitroxides for applications ranging from biomedical implants to chronic wounds. She is also interested in the development of fluorescent probes to study materials degradation (particularly in extreme environments) and diseases involving oxidative stress.
Short Biography
Kathryn completed her PhD in 2004 at Griffith University, investigating novel organophosphorus compounds as alternative reagents in the Mitsunobu reaction. She then held postdoctoral positions at the University of Sheffield (England), and at Queensland University of Technology. In 2009 she was awarded a QUT Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellowship to begin her independent research career and also joined the ARC Centre of Excellence for Free Radical Chemistry and Biotechnology as a new Chief Investigator. In 2012, she was given a permanent position at QUT as a Senior Lecturer and in 2014 she was awarded an ARC Future Fellowship. She was promoted to A. Prof. at QUT in 2015 and Prof. in 2020. She has published 75 peer reviewed journal articles in leading international journals, 2 book chapters and filed 2 patents. Her work has had significant impact, being cited 1865 times, leading to an H index of 25 and an i-10 index of 48 (Google Scholar, 19/07/2021). Since 2014, she has been awarded over $2.5M in external grant funding. Kathryn has given plenary and invited lectures at over 40 conferences. She has supervised 15 PhD and 3 Masters students to completion, mentored several postdoctoral researchers, and has built successful international research collaborations. Kathryn is a Chartered Chemist of the Royal Australian Chemical Society.
Selected Publications
“A Methoxyamine-protecting Group for Organic Radical Battery Materials – An Alternative Approach”, Hansen, K-A.; Eing, M.; Chambers, L.C.; Barner-Kowollik, C.; Fairfull-Smith, K.E. Blinco, J.P. ChemSusChem 2020, in press.
“Dynamic Nitroxide Functional Materials”, Woehlk, H.; Lauer, A.; Trouillet, V.; Welle, A.; Barner, L.; Blinco, J.P.; Fairfull-Smith, K.E. Christopher Barner-Kowollik, C. Chem. Eur. J. 2018, 24 (71), 18873.
“Polynitroxide Copolymers to Reduce Biofilm Fouling on Surfaces”, Boase, N.R.; Torres, M.D.; Fletcher, N.L.; de la Fuente-Nunez, C.; Fairfull-Smith, K.E. Polym. Chem. 2018, 9 (43), 5308.
“Engineering Nitroxide Functional Surfaces Using Bioinspired Adhesion”, Woehlk, H.; Steinkoenig, J.; Lang, C.; Michalek, L.; Trouillet, V.; Krolla, P.; Goldmann, A.; Barner, L.; Blinco, J.P.; Barner-Kowollik, C.; Fairfull-Smith, K.E. Langmuir 2018, 34 (10), 3264.
“Oxidative Polymerization of Catecholamines: Structural Access by High-resolution Mass Spectrometry” Woehlk, H.; Steinkoenig, J.; Lang, C.; Goldmann, A.S.; Barner, L.; Blinco, J.P.; Fairfull-Smith, K.E.; Barner-Kowollik, C. Polym. Chem. 2017, 8 (20), 3050.