Dr. Anthony Day, began his career at the Australian National University in the 1980’s engaged in ‘Organoironcarbonyl’ chemistry in the laboratory of Prof Arthur Birch, completed his PhD under the supervision of Prof Rodney Rickards ‘Synthetic aspects of ansamycin antibiotics’. Then undertook a postdoctoral position in the laboratory of Prof Guy Ourisson at the University of Strasbourg (at that time – Université de Louis Pasteur) ‘Micelle synthesis and their stability’, returned to Australia at UNSW in Canberra to the laboratory of Prof Richard Russell. In 1989 went into private business. Returning to research in the late 90’s at UNSW in Canberra, then began developing primary interest in supramolecular chemistry and macrocyclic chemistry to the present.

He is a principal developer in the world for the family of macrocyclic host molecules known as cucurbit[n]uril and maintains a significant international research presence in the chemistry of these molecules. He holds international patents as the inventor of the family of cucurbit[n]uril and additional international patents on the families of cucurbit[n]uril derivatives. His research focuses on applications involving the use of cucurbit[n]uril and their derivatives and has a particular interest in developing drug delivery applications. However, as a synthetic chemist he has also developed methods for the preparation of cucurbit[n]uril derivatives for the purpose of extending applications for drug delivery and other potential applications more broadly.

Research

For Future Research Students: Ph.D. scholarships ($35,000 per year) are available for high achieving students (with H1 /High Distinction in UG and Masters by Research) in Chemistry