Biography
Peter is focussed of the application of organic chemistry to challenges in industry and new technology development.
At CSIRO he leads projects with industrial partners involved in the manufacture of natural extracts. These include oils of plant and marine origin, and herbal extracts. From 2011 to 2017, he led a series of projects with Botanical Resources Australia, the major manufacturer of the natural insecticide pyrethrum. He has also led projects with Integria Healthcare (Australia), Ocean Oils and Kayban. Most recently, his focus has been on medicinal cannabis technology development with Cann Group, Australia's leading medicinal cannabis start-up, and has led a team of CSIRO scientists who have established a dedicated, secure CSIRO facility for cannabis research and development.
Peter’s research specialities include bioorganic chemistry and medicinal chemistry. He has a long standing collaboration with Dr Kellie Tuck (Monash U) and Prof Richard Lewis (IMB, U of Qld) developing small-molecule inhibitors of neuronal calcium ion channels associated with neuropathic pain. He has also investigated the applications of organoboron compounds, and the synthesis of modified peptides and peptidomimetics.
Originally trained in physical organic chemistry, free radical chemistry and organic synthesis in his PhD at ANU, Peter gained experience in molecular recognition, enzymology and enzyme mimicry in his post doctoral studies at Columbia (NYC) and Cambridge Universities. He spent over ten years as a teaching and research academic (James Cook and Monash Universities) before moving to CSIRO in 2004. He continues to be involved in the higher education sector through the co-supervision of Honours and Post Graduate students, and an Adjunct Professorship at Flinders University. He is the co-founder of the Bioactive Discovery and Development Group within the Victorian Branch of the RACI, and served at Chair of the Group in 2016.
Current Roles
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Team Leader
Bioorganic Chemistry -
Project Leader
CANN Group - Medicinal Cannabis Manufacture -
Co-supervisor
Design and Synthesis of Small Molecules as Neuronal Calcium Ion Channel Blockers Relevant to Neuropathic Pain -
Co-supervisor
Chemical Transformations of Pyrethrins -
Project Leader
Peptide Boronic Acids as Artificial Lectins -
Adjunct Professor
Flinders University -
Associate Editor
Australian Journal of Chemistry
Academic Qualifications
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1985
BSc(Hons) Flinders University
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1990
PhD (ANU) Physical Organic/Free Radical Chemistry
Professional Experiences
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2012-2015
Adjunct Associate Professor - Flinders University
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2012-2015
Expert Assessor, Australian Journal of Chemistry
CSIRO Publishing -
2013-2014
Research Group Leader, Organic Chemistry
CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering -
2009-2013
Team Leader, Peptides and Peptidomimetics
CMHT / CMSE -
2007-2009
Research Group Leader, Functional Small Molecules
CSIRO Molecular & Health Technologies -
2007-2015
Principal Research Scientist
CSIRO MHT/CMSE -
2004-2007
Honorary Associate Professor - Monash University
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2004-2007
Senior Research Scientist CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies
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1996-2004
Lecturer-Senior Lecturer Monash University
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1994-1996
Lecturer James Cook University
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1992-1993
Post Doctoral Fellow University of Cambridge
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1990-1992
Post Doctoral Fellow Columbia University, New York
Achievements and Awards
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2005-present
Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute
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1998
Monash Science Society Award for Excellence in Teaching
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1984
The Royal Australian Chemical Institute (SA Branch) Prize, Flinders University
Community and Corporate Citizenship
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2016
Chair, RACI Vic Bioactive Discovery & Development Group
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2015
Co-chair, Boronic Acids Symposium, Pacifichem 2015
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2015
Chair, Melbourne RACI Medicinal Chemistry & Chemical Biology Symposium
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2015
Treasurer, RACI Vic Bioactive Discovery & Development Group
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2010
Co-chair, Boronic Acids Symposium, Pacifichem 2010
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2005-2006
Secretary &Co-Founder, RACI Vic Bioactive Discovery & Development Group
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2003
Chair, RACI National Organic Chemistry Conference
