The Curtin Institute of Functional Molecules and Interfaces

Congratulations to Dr Max Massi, winner of The Organometallic Chemistry Award, of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute

The award is given for contributions to the development of organometallic chemistry over the last ten years. The focus of Dr Massi’s research is the synthesis of luminescent metal-based complexes for application in materials and life science. In addition to consecutive ARC Fellowships, he has received funding from investors to set up the Curtin-UniSA joint spin-off company ReZolve Scientific, specialising in metal-based organometallic reagents for diagnostics.

Invited contribution for Professor Andrew Lowe

Congratulations to Prof. Andrew Lowe on the acceptance of his invited contribution to a special issue of Polymer titled “RAFT Alcoholic Dispersion Polymerization with Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly”.

New Australian representative for IOCG

Dr. Franca Jones has recently been appointed as the Australian representative for the International Organization on Crystal Growth.

Ancient pigment could help solve modern crime

Curtin University forensic researchers working with conservation scientists from the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) have found a novel use for an ancient Egyptian pigment, revealing that it doubles as a dusting powder able to reveal traditionally tricky fingerprints in modern forensics. Read more.

Professor Simon Lewis awarded Division Citation

Professor Simon Lewis was selected to receive a Division Citation for ‘outstanding contributions to teaching, research and outreach activities in analytical chemistry and in particular, forensic science in Australia.’ from the Analytical and Environmental Chemistry Division of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. He has also been invited to be the Royal Australian Chemical Institute South Australia D R Stranks Memorial Lecturer, and will be travelling to Adelaide in early June to give a series of talks at High Schools as well as the DR Stranks Memorial Lecture at the University of Adelaide on 9 June.

Students awarded the ANZFSS Symposium Travel Awards

Forensic students Georgina Sauzier, Karin van der Pal, Holly Yu and Buddhika Dorakumbura have been awarded the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS) Symposium Travel Awards to attend the ANZFSS on the Forensic Sciences from 18-23 September in Auckland, New Zealand. The awards are quite competitive, with only five Western Australian recipients this year, and a total of 60 awarded across the country.

Holly Yu awarded Second Prize for Best Oral Presentation at the 3rd Scottish Student Forensic Research Symposium

Forensic student Holly Yu was awarded Second Prize for Best Oral Presentation at the 3rd Scottish Student Forensic Research Symposium, held at the University of Glasgow . Her research on the recovery of explosives residues is also in collaboration with ChemCentre. Read more.

Australian Research Council Linkage Grant Funded

ARC Linkage grant funded, “Sulfate sensor for reverse osmosis integrity & performance monitoring“, Curtin University (NRI & CWQRC) in collaboration with Water Corporation of Western Australia, University of Sydney, and University of Murcia (Spain).

New book by Damien Arrigan

“Electrochemical Strategies in Detection Science” edited by Damien Arrigan has been published by the Royal Society of Chemistry, 2016.