Monday, 6th July Royal Australian Chemical Institute National Congress 2026

Kick-start your conference morning with Coffee Roulette — a casual networking experience connecting delegates over coffee at local cafés near the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, designed to spark new conversations, collaborations and connections across the chemistry community.

Location: TBC - Cafés near the Perth Convention Centre

• From Harnessing of Excited States and Nanostructured Morphologies to Functions Through Molecular Design and Supramolecular Assembly - Vivian Wing-Wah Yam

Career Connect is a dedicated networking initiative designed to help students, early-career researchers, and professionals explore career pathways across academia, industry, government, and research sectors.

Participants will have the opportunity to connect directly with conference sponsors and exhibitors, learn about career opportunities, gain insights into different organisations, and discuss skills, recruitment pathways, and professional development with experienced representatives. A dedicated meeting space is be available for more in-depth conversations and networking throughout the Congress.

• Synthesis at the interface of chemistry  and biology; from natural products to understanding bacterial adhesion - Gordon J Florence
• A bioactive compound from Australian stingless bee propolis Tetragonula carbonaria for the treatment of hypertrophic scarring - Trong D. Tran
• Cationic cyclic peptides: tackling resistant fungi - Julia H. Huang
• A NIS Synthetase DesD and Hybrid Non-Native-Native Heterodimeric Substrates Enhance Incorporation of Non-Native Monomer Motif into Hydroxamic Acid Macrocycles - Callum A Rosser
• Stress-related heterobicyclo[3.3.1]nonane adduct potently activates tumor-reactive T cells - Damica D Laurie

• Molecular triplet-triplet interactions: from fundamentals to devices - Timothy Schmidt
• Not innocent bystanders - Lewis acids and electrolytes in photochemistry. - Michelle L Coote
• Modulating aggregation and sterol interaction in amphotericin B: a molecular view of AM2-19's reduced toxicity   - Evelyne Deplazes
• Towards more accurate non-covalent interactions with TD-DFT - Ariel C Jones

• Integrated Radiopharmaceutical Sciences Program: From Target Discovery to Clinical Translation in a Cancer Center Setting - Mohammad Haskali
• Neutron capture enhanced particle therapy (NCEPT) - in situ, 'on-demand' radionuclide therapy - Chris Dobie
• Structure-Activity Relationship Investigation into P2X₇ Analogues as Potential Radioligands - Joseph Hilton-Proctor
• Activity calibration for out-of-equilibrium lead-212 in radiopharmaceutical preparation - William W Hunt
• Development of [¹⁸F]-4-Fluorohomoleucine as a Novel PET Tracer for Cancer Imaging - Marzieh Ahangarpour
• Measuring naturally occurring radionuclides in the oil and gas industry - Bradley Van Luenen
• Development of Peptide-Based Theranostics Targeting the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase-like Orphan Receptor 1 (ROR1) - Wenxiao Kay Yue
• Natural radioactivity in drinking water supplied from groundwater in Southern Queensland - Dominique Scott

• Mechanisms of Structural Evolution in Lead-Free Halide Perovskites Uncovered by In Situ Multimodal Microscopy - Shery Chang
• Design and synthesis of nanoscale electrodes - Lucy Gloag
• The nanoscale chemistry of bioceramic bone implant materials “in action”, revealed by atom probe - Natalie P Holmes
• Energy from Motion – The Role of Interfaces and Materials in Electrostatic Charging - Peter C. Sherrell
• Mineral Carbonation and Critical Metal Recovery from Mine Tailings: Molecular Modelling for Ligand Screening and Process Optimisation - Yuan Mei

• Electrochemistry in a Pipette - Kaye Minkyung Kang
• Nanoparticle-based approaches for Sensitive Detection of fungicide resistance in Zymoseptoria tritici - TIEXIN LI
• Novel Designs of Ultrasensitive Amperometric Nanobiosensors by Layered Architectural Fabrication and their Analytical Applications - Samuel Adeloju
• Machine learning-driven electrochemical sensors for antibiotics analysis in water - Wenchao Duan
• Machine Learning–Assisted Electrochemical Sensing of Nitrate - Yang Liu

• Topology-Directed Self-Assembly of Nanodiscs from Asymmetric Copolymers - Markus Muellner
• Molecular imaging as a qualitative probe of polymer therapeutic response. - Kristofer J Thurecht
• Probing polymer dynamics with the Emu neutron backscattering spectrometer - Alice Klapproth
• Single and Multiple Hydroxyl Monomers Strategy Controls Amine Functionalization and Catalytic Activity - Muhammad Kashif
• Chitosan nanoparticles for cancer therapy and tissue regeneration - Lisbeth Grondahl

• From Lattice to Solution: Mimicking Solid-State Chemistry in Solution - Jamie Hicks
• Modular ligand frameworks in main-group chemistry. - Matthew J Evans
• One Complex, Two Pathways: Chemoselective Access to Al(I) and Al(II) - Fabian J Kallmeier
• Synthesis and Reactivity of Organolanthanide(II) Hydrides: From Ytterbium to Thulium - Mathew D Anker
• Mechanochemistry from Main Group Molecular Synthesis to Catalysis  - Felipe Garcia

• Strain-promoted reactions of cubene - Sarah A. French
• Radical cation intermediates for small molecule synthesis and polymer grafting enabled by a novel photocatalyst - Joel F Hooper
• Catalytic reaction development and investigating mechanism - Sinead T Keaveney
• Exploring the reactivity of cubenes - Andy Wong
• A radical electrochemical platform for prebiotic synthesis - Haihui Joy Jiang
• Antiviral activity of dendritic heparan sulfate mimetics against respiratory syncytial virus, herpes simplex virus-1 and SARS-CoV-2 variants - Olga V Zubkova

Speakers:
Justice Nye Perram - Federal Court of Australia
Dr Adam Martin - Senior Director Chemistry, PYC Therapeutics
Mr Gary Cox - Principal, Wray and Wray Lawyers
Mr Tom Hammond - Commercialisation Team Leader, Curtin University

• What Academics Need to Know About IP: Planning for Research Success - Gary Bowman, Nye Perram, Adam Martin, Gary Cox, Peter Canfield and Tom Hammond

• Breaking the RNA code with supramolecular chemistry - Pall Thordarson
• An A+ for DNA self-assembly - Felix Rizzuto
• Beyond the double helix: Molecular recognition of non-canonical DNA structures - Nicole Smith
• Synthesis of Hierarchical Supramolecular Architectures and Their Interplay with Light - Hendrik Frisch
• Dual-responsive chiroptical properties in a cofacial TTF-based metal-organic framework - Katelyn M Clutterbuck

Join us for a series of interactive workshops covering professional development, career pathways, industry engagement, and skills for success.

Luke Henderson - Professional development for ECRs and Mental Health issues regarding how to cope with stress, depression, and the challenges of academic roles with these conditions

• Rational Molecular Engineering of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analogues: From Stability Enhancement to Multivalent Dendrimer Platforms - Pegah Varamini
• Targeting acetolactate synthase to develop antimicrobials starting from herbicide leads - Craig Williams
• Novel oxytocin receptor agonists for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders - Timothy B Callis
• Synthesis and biological evaluation of dual neutron capture agent and PARP 1 inhibitors. - Georgia Lewis

• Simulating molecular quantum dynamics on quantum computers - Ivan Kassal
• Simulating Quantum Effects in Biomolecular Systems: Challenges, Progress, and Applications - Haibo Yu
• Using quantum resonances to control chemical reactions - Meredith J T Jordan

• Radiobaryte bioavailability in marine sediments. - Darren Koppel
• Improving Coastal & Marine Monitoring: Environmental Radiochemistry Method Development at ARPANSA - Patrick Davey
• Panel Discussion: Journeys in Radiochemistry - Careers, Challenges, and Triumphs - Dominique Scott

• Molecular Modelling of Electrocatalyst Materials and Electrolytes for Clean Energy Conversion - Yan Jiao
• Atomically precise synthesis and characterisation of metal nanoparticle catalysis - Richard Tilley
• Hybrid Nanomaterial Interfaces for Light-Driven Chemical Fuel Generation and Toxic Gas Remediation - Hiang Kwee Lee
• Developing High-Energy Electrode Materials for Metal–Air Batteries - Bing Sun

• Electrochemical surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS): a 50-year evolution and its AI-driven future - Zhong-Qun ZQ Tian
• Quantitative control over Lorentz effects in magneto-electrochemistry - Haihui Joy Jiang
• Ionic conductivity and redox reactions in confined liquid pockets trapped between bubbles and solids - Chiara CI Iannace
• Silica on Silicon Electrodes: Inert or Underutilised? - Zane Datson

• Stimuli-responsive emulsion and PISA nanoparticles for therapeutic delivery. - Georgina K Such
• SPINning a yarn: Investigations into the photo- and electro-chemistry of nitroxide free radicals. - James Blinco
• Single-step grafting of a thermoresponsive RAFT polymer from nanocellulose by radical decarboxylation - Gianluca Vidali

Panel:

A/Prof Mark Hackett

Dr Peter Watson

Dr Alexandra Gulizia

Dr Shaneel Chandra

Leaders from Food Standards ANZ, Chemistry Australia and PharmOut share their views on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for chemical regulation in Australia and how chemistry and chemists can impact the future regulatory landscape.

Speakers:
Dr Matthew O'Mullane - FSANZ - General Manager Food Safety Branch. Chemistry at the Core:Shaping Australia and New Zealand's Food Standards and Regulatory Future
Mr Nick Zovko - Chemistry Australia - Head of Regulatory Affairs. Industry Perspectives on Chemical Regulation in Australia
Mr Trevor Schoerie - PharmOut - Regulatory Consultants - Managing Director. Mitigating Risk of Using AI in Highly Regulated Pharma Manufacturing

• Chemical Regulation in Australia - Gary Bowman, Matt O'Mullane, Nick Zovko and Trevor Schoerie

• Incorporating Metal-Organic Frameworks into Solid Supports for Chemical Sensing - Carol Hua
• Pressure-Induced Guest Adsorption and Post-Synthetic Ligand Exchange in a Flexible Wine-Rack MOF - Stephen A Moggach
• Host-guest and association interactions of tiara[n]uril and their derivatives - Anthony I Day
• Molecular Engineering of Piezoelectricity in L/L and L/D Amino Acid Containing Dipeptide Assemblies - Jingxian Yu
• Selective recognition of phosphatidic acid using a Zn(II)-8-hydroxyquinoline peptide Probe - Ramraj Kameriya
• Pyridine and N-Pyridinium Macrocycles Show High Affinity for Aqueous Sulfate via Charge Assisted H-bond Donors - Thomas M Salmon
• A dual receptor fluorescent peptide for the selective detection of phosphatidylethanolamine - Nian Kee Tan
• Ethylene Uptake of Zinc Phenolic Carboxylate Based Coordination Polymer Containing Square Channels - Tony TW Wang

• Mass‑Spectrometry Imaging Enabling Metabolomic Mapping of Biofilm–Antimicrobial Interactions - Sandra Wiedbrauk
• Design, synthesis and analysis of selective KDM4 inhibitors as chemical tool compounds - Jennifer R Baker
• Enhancing DNA Triplex Stability: Native Mass Spectrometry and Chemical Modification Strategies - Sarveenah R G Chandrasegaran
• Light-responsive molecular tools for chemical biology - Cassandra L Fleming

• Revolution in Density Functional Theory: Turning to Physics-driven AI Approach to Study Chemistry - Katya Pas
• What Drives Ions to a Liquid Surface? Ion Specificity at Solvent Surfaces - Gunther G Andersson
• The curious case of triphenylphosphine-stabilized nonagold clusters - Jenica Marie L. Madridejos

• Towards the detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene with ionic liquid/poly(ionic liquid) membranes - Elena Gorenskaia
• Room temperature conversion of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to safe products - Cameron Shearer
• A perfluoro-functionalised fluorescent maleimide probe for imaging of PFAS contamination - Grant Douglas

• Advanced Materials for Energy Storage Applications - Hongxia Wang
• Flame-retardant, mechanically resilient polymer nanocomposites - JUN MA
• Electrochemical Energy Storage in Polymers - Zhongfan Jia

• Probing the microscopic active sites of electrocatalysts - Cameron L Bentley
• Ionic Liquid-Aqueous mixtures as electrolytes for Cu electrodeposition - Rabia R Jamil
• Resolving Interfacial Mechanisms in Molten Carbonate Electrolysis Using Advanced Impedance Analysis - Haley Redfern
• Disjoining forces sustain redox-active liquid pockets inside bubble–electrode junctions - Vijithra Devi Vijayakumar

• Synthesis of amorphous conjugated polymers for thermally stable polymer solar cells. - Mats R Andersson
• Understanding the thin film switching properties of photochromic polymers - Shirin Ansariashlaghi
• Waterborne multiblock copolymer nanocomposite films with enhanced mechanical properties via MacroRAFT emulsion polymerization. - Seyed Ahmad Ayati Najafabadi
• Moisture activated durable and autonomous self-healing epoxy coating using boronic ester dynamic bonds - Sachini Dissanayake

• Dual-mode fluorescent dibenzocyclooctyne probes for Raman & fluorescence imaging of bioorthogonal reactions in cells - Mohammed Siddeek Fathima Nusra
• Design and Development of Gold and Platinum Compounds for Next-Generation Cancer Therapies - Ruchika Ojha
• Blending chemistry and molecular biology to produce new chelators with new function - Rachel Codd

• Electrified C-C and C-N Bond Formation from Abundant Feedstocks - Yifan Yuan
• Air pollutant-induced oxidative damage of plant biomolecules. - Uta Wille
• The chemistry of Western Australian natural products: Exploration of new chemical reactions to the discovery of unexpected biosynthetic pathways. - Alan D Payne
• Busselton Jetty: Unlocking the Biomedical Potential of Marine Sponges from Australia's Largest Artificial Reef - Darren Holland

Join a panel of industry professionals as they share honest insights, career reflections, challenges, and advice they wish they knew earlier in their careers.

Panel Facilitator:

Prof. Alison Rodger, ANU  

Our panellists:

Dr Shane Hickey, Adelaide University

Dr Victor Olet, Pawsey

Dr. Adam Martin, PYC Therapeutics

Dr. Heather Cole, ACS International

Dr. Nicole Pendini, Peak Scientific

• Electrochemistry of Silver Recovery for End-of-life Solar Module Recycling - Jackson Lee
• Transition metals in quantum chemistry  - Samuel J Pitman
• Green and charge-tuned β-cyclodextrin polymers for efficient removal of PFAS and anionic dyes from water - Samira Sadeghi