Stephanie Schweiker

Current research interests include:

• The development of novel cancer therapies. This includes the design and synthesis of PARP14 inhibitors and prostate cancer research in collaboration with Dr Luke Henderson (from Deakin University).
• The analysis of supplements using HPLC. Examples of supplements that have been analysed include sporting supplements and ginger extracts.
• The development of antibiotics and anti-tubercular compounds. 'Superbugs' are a real thing!

Research Experience:

• Research project (2006-2007) Synthesis of Carbohydrates. Dr. Darren Grice, Griffith University, Institute for Glycomics, Gold Coast, Australia.
• Research project (2010) Synthesis of target nitroxide used for clinical trials. Prof Steven Bottle and Dr Kathryn Fairfull-Smith, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
• Research project (2010) Boranic acids as fluorescence sensors. Dr. Todd Houston, Griffith University, Institute for glycomics, Gold Coast, Australia.
• Postdoctoral research project (2011) IR spectroscopy/electrochemistry of lipid bilayers and redox proteins. Dr. Andreas Erbe, Interface Spectroscopy group, Max-Planck-Institute Germany.

Projects are available for potential HDR and project students in the areas of novel drug design and development towards the treatment of cancers or analysis of supplements.

Laboratory Techniques that will be employed include:

• Molecular modelling
• Computational chemistry
• Structure-Activity Relationship determination
• Organic synthesis
• Peptide synthesis 
• Chemical analysis.