The lead researchers in the Polymer Chemistry Group are Prof Andrew Whittaker, Assoc Prof Idriss Blakey, Dr Hui Peng, Dr Changkui Fu and Dr Cheng Zhang. These four researchers have independent research themes but because of their complementary skills work in close collaboration.

The Group Leader, Professor Whittaker is a Senior Group Leader at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, and holds adjunct appointments in SCMB and the Centre for Advanced Imaging. His research interests include the fields of nanotechnology, biopolymers and polymer hydrogels, polymer degradation, polymer devices, and the application of spectroscopic (especially NMR) methods to polymer research.

The Polymer Chemistry Group consists of over 40 researchers; the group is very active, holding weekly group meetings, and encourages students to travel to national and international conferences to present their work. We have outstanding links with national and international polymer groups. Our aim is to provide a supportive and stimulating environment for the training of young scientists. The projects listed below are all highly collaborative and we aim in all of the projects to impart detailed knowledge of important chemical systems, and train the student in modern analytical techniques.