Undergraduate research student:

Liz Elphicke: Liz is completing an undergraduate research project working on host–guest binding. She has previously completed an undergraduate research project with Dan Preston’s group on the synthesis of platinum(II) lantern-shaped cages. Outside of the lab she loves playing board games, bouldering, and drinking unhealthy amounts of tea.

Honours student:

Jessica Du: Jess is currently completing her Honours year with a particular interest in making halogen bonded frameworks, specifically those which have different anionic halogen bond acceptors. She has previously completed an undergraduate research project in the White group on diethylamidinium-based hydrogen bonded frameworks. When not in the lab, she likes to spend time with family and friends, listening to music and attending concerts. She also enjoys being creative in outlets outside of science by doing her nails at home. 

PhD students:

Nina Lawson: Nina is completing her PhD under the joint supervision of Nick and Dr Dan Preston on metallosupramolecular self-assembled hydrazone compounds, exploring routes to topologically complex architectures. She previously completed an undergraduate research project with Dan Preston, and Honours in the Preston-White Supragroup. In her spare time, Nina enjoys reading, swimming at the beach, hiking and going to concerts.

Bailee Smith: Bailee is completing her PhD working on supramolecular cages, exploring their synthesis, solubility and binding capabilities. She previously completed an undergraduate research project and BSc(Hons) in the group working on hydrazone cages, before working in the ACT government forensics laboratories and then returning to the ANU for her PhD. When she is not in the lab, she enjoys getting outdoors, running silly distances and spending time with her dogs! 

Logan Faulkner: Logan completed his MSc at the University of Otago under the supervision of Prof. James D. Crowley in January 2024. His masters project focused on synthesizing catenanes and rotaxanes for testing as potential antibacterial agents. He joined the group in April 2024 and is investigating hydrazone cages. In his spare time, Logan enjoys going to the gym, reading and playing video games.

Postdocs:

Dr Rosie Avery: Rosie completed an undergraduate research project, BSc(Hons) and PhD in the group. During this time she mainly worked on catenanes and rotaxanes for anion binding. She is now a postdoc spending half her time working jointly with the Colebatch group on hydrazone cages, and half her time working in the Preston group. When she is not in the lab, Rosie enjoys all things outdoors (hiking, bike riding, canoeing, swimming, sailing) as well as doing things with textiles and playing her clarinet.

Dr Jordan Smith: Jordan completed his PhD with Assoc. Prof. Nigel T. Lucas at the University of Otago in 2020. In his work he developed the syntheses of aryl-extended cavitands and other carbon-rich molecules built on the resorcin[4]arene framework. He started in the White group in May 2021 and has worked on several projects including pillararenes, organocatalysis and halogen bonded frameworks. Since April 2024, he works half the time in our group and half the time in the Preston group. Jordan’s academic interests include organic synthesis, macrocyclic and supramolecular chemistry, and crystallography. In his spare time, Jordan enjoys nature walks, reading and good beer.