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CLAYTON SOUTH VIC 3169 AUSTRALIA
Biography
Peter oversees CSIRO's Botanical Extracts Laboratory (BEL), a secure, state-of-the-art facility based in Melbourne, which is equipped with modern instruments for the extraction, refinement, formulation and analysis of plant-derived products. Staff in the BEL assist Australian companies to bring their botanical extracts to the market or help them to maintain their world leading positions through technological innovation.
A key focus of the BEL is our work with controlled substances of plant origin. The BEL holds all of the required Victorian State and Federal licences to allow the commercial development of medical cannabis products to take place within the facility. CSIRO is the only Australian research institute licenced for such activities.
Peter’s research specialities include bioorganic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, plant natural products and cannabis chemistry. He has recently published a "Primer Review" on Cannabis and Cannabinoids: https://doi.org/10.1071/CH21006 . The article is fully open access and the link can be freely shared anywhere in the world.
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 PhD students, and an Adjunct Professorship at Flinders University. He has a long standing collaboration with Assoc Prof Kellie Tuck (Monash U) and Prof Richard Lewis (IMB, U of Queensland) developing small-molecule inhibitors of neuronal calcium ion channels associated with neuropathic pain. He has also co-supervised a number of PhD students at Flinders University with Assoc Prof Martin Johnston. Peter has supervised or co-supervised 2 MSc and 12 PhD students to completion. He has also co-authored over 80 peer-reviewed journal articles and over 35 confidential client reports.
Professional Areas
Fields of Research
Current Roles
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Team Leader
Bioorganic Chemistry -
Adjunct Professor
Flinders University -
Project Leader
CANN Group - Medicinal Cannabis Manufacture -
Project Leader
Commercial Manufacture of Plant Extracts - with various small-to-medium Australian companies -
Co-supervisor
Design and Synthesis of Small Molecules as Neuronal Calcium Ion Channel Blockers Relevant to Neuropathic Pain -
Co-supervisor
Chemical Transformations of Pyrethrins -
Co-supervisor
Natural Products from Australian Native Plants and their Symbionts
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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2008-2018
Associate Editor, Australian Journal of Chemistry
CSIRO Publishing -
2012-2015
Adjunct Associate Professor
Flinders University -
2007-2014
Various Team & Group Leader Roles
CSIRO MHT/CMSE -
2007-2015
Principal Research Scientist
CSIRO MHT/CMSE -
2004-2007
Senior Research Scientist
CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies -
2004-2007
Honorary Associate Professor
Monash University -
1996-2004
Lecturer-Senior Lecturer
Monash University -
1994-1996
Lecturer
James Cook University -
1992-1993
Post Doctoral Fellow
University of Cambridge -
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
-
1998
Monash Science Society Award for Excellence in Teaching
-
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
-
2015
Co-chair, Boronic Acids Symposium, Pacifichem 2015
-
2015
Chair, Melbourne RACI Medicinal Chemistry & Chemical Biology Symposium
-
2015
Treasurer, RACI Vic Bioactive Discovery & Development Group
-
2010
Co-chair, Boronic Acids Symposium, Pacifichem 2010
-
2005-2006
Secretary &Co-Founder, RACI Vic Bioactive Discovery & Development Group
-
2003
Chair, RACI National Organic Chemistry Conference