Staff Profile

Career Summary

Biography

Qualifications

• PhD, University of New South Wales
• Diploma in Education, University of New South Wales
• Bachelor of Science (Honours), University of New South Wales

Research

Research keywords

• Heterocyclic Chemistry
• Molecularly Imprinted Polymers
• Nitric oxide releaseing agents

Research expertise

MB trained as a research chemist with expertise in organic synthesis. He has a particular interest in how interactions between organic molecules act as signalling agents in both natural and synthetic systems. MB has established successful collaborative research with Emeritus Professor Ron Wills (Food Science & Human Nutrition - Newcastle University) to develop new, environmentally friendly treatments for extending the postharvest life of fresh farm produce using nitric oxide (NO) gas to delay senescence without refrigeration. While the role of NO in mammalian physiology is relatively well understood, its action in plants remains largely undefined. MB has utilised his skills as an organic chemist to synthesise zwitterionic NO donor compounds capable of delivering a precise quantity of NO gas in a controlled manner. Solid phase NO delivery has enhanced the scope and flexibility of NO fumigation technology by eliminating the need for cumbersome and expensive infrastructure (e.g. cylinders and regulators). The research has to date yielded 4 refereed journal articles (3 published, 1 submitted) and competitive grant funding of $26.5K.

Work in this field has recently been extended to investigate the potential use of NO donor technology to control settlement behaviour in marine organisms.

MB has co-supervised two PhD students (1 completed) and 2 Honours student (1 completed) in this field.

MB has been involved in molecular imprinting research with Associate Professor Adam McCluskey since 1999 and Dr Clovia Holdsworth since 2002. Initial research (99-01, $92000) supported by the Grape & Wine Research & Development Corporation (GWRDC) focused on the successful development of MIPs for the selective sensing of chloroarene contaminants in wine. These findings were reported in two peer-reviewed articles (Aust. J. Chem, 2004, 57, 759; Aust. J. Chem, 2006, 59, 129) and at domestic and international conferences including the World Congress on Synthetic Receptors (Lisbon, Portugal, October 13-15, 2003).

MBs current research is supported by separate ARC Linkage Grants. Work conducted in conjunction with the Australian Federal Police ($190,000 & $51,000 industry component) seeks to develop novel MIP-based sensors for the selective identification of a number of illicit substances. Computational modelling protocols have been developed to improve MIP formulation and selectivity by pre-screening target molecules against a library of commercial functional monomers to identify and rank favourable interactions. These important outcomes were reported in 2005 (Aust. J. Chem, 2005, 58, 315). Attention is currently focused on the preparation of MIP-based films for incorporation into a portable FTIR spectrophotometers to enable the assessment of crime scenes to be undertaken in-field in real time.

Work with the Bureau of Sugar Research Stations ($171,336 & $45,000 industry component) aims to develop transitional metal-mediated MIPs capable of sequestering amino acids contaminants associated with the non-enzymatic browning of processed sugar. MIPs targeting high value, biologically active flavonoids are also being investigated to improve the competitiveness of the Australian sugar industry.

MB has co-supervised five PhD students and 4 Honours students in the field of MIP research.

Fields of Research

Awards

Recognition.

Collaboration

MB has a particular interest in how interactions between organic molecules act as signalling agents in both natural and synthetic systems. MB has established a successful collaborative research program with Emeritus Professor Ron Wills (Food Technology - Newcastle University) to develop new, environmentally friendly treatments for extending the postharvest life of selected farm produce using nitric oxide (NO) gas to delay senescence without the need for refrigeration. While the role of NO as a signalling agent in mammalian physiology is relatively well understood, its action in plants remains largely undefined. MB has utilised his skills as an organic chemist to synthesise a range of water soluble, zwitterionic NO donor compounds capable of delivering a known quantity of NO gas to produce in a controlled manner. Solid phase delivery of NO gas enhances the scope and flexibility of NO fumigation technology by eliminating the need for cumbersome and expensive infrastructure (e.g. cylinders and regulators). The research has to date yielded 4 refereed journal articles and competitive grant funding of $26.5K. MB has co-supervised two PhD completions and 1 Honours student associated with this work.

MB has been extensively involved in molecular imprinting (MIP) research with Professor Adam McCluskey since 1999 and Dr Clovia Holdsworth since 2002. Initial research (99-01, $92000) supported by the Grape & Wine Research & Development Corporation (GWRDC) focused on the successful development of MIPs for the selective sensing of chloroarene contaminants in wine. These findings were reported in two peer-reviewed articles (Aust. J. Chem, 2004, 57, 759; Aust. J. Chem, 2006, 59, 129) and at domestic and international conferences including MIP2000 - The First Workshop on Molecular Imprinting, and Synthetic Receptors 2003 - The First World Congress on Synthetic Receptors (Lisbon, Portugal, October 13-15, 2003).

MBs current research is supported by separate ARC Linkage Grants. Work conducted in conjunction with the Australian Federal Police ($190,000 & $51,000 industry component) seeks to develop novel MIP-based sensors for the selective identification of a number of illicit substances. Computational modelling protocols have been developed to improve MIP formulation and selectivity by pre-screening target molecules against a library of commercial functional monomers to identify and rank favourable interactions. These important outcomes were reported in 2005 (Aust. J. Chem, 2005, 58, 315). Attention is currently focused on the preparation of MIP-based films for the detection of narcotics and explosives using portable FTIR spectrophotometers for rapid, in-field assessment of suspected crime scenes.

MB has successfully supervised 5 PhD completions and 7 Honours students. He currently co-supervises 4 RHD candidates.

Administrative

Administrative expertise

MB has fulfilled a variety of administrative roles within the School of Environmental and Life Sciences of the University of Newcastle. Activities undertaken include:

School Administration

School of Applied Science (SAS) Timetable Coordinator (1995-1999): Responsibility for scheduling of UG courses (~50) taught by the SAS. Responsibilities included liasing with Callaghan-based staff to ensure timetable compatibility between campuses to allow for inter-campus teaching, and participation in workshops with other stakeholders at the Ourimbah campus to prioritise room allocations for classes.

Honours Coordinator (SAS) (2001-2006): Responsibilities included vetting and approval of new candidates, preparation and distribution of assignment work, organization of seminar times, maintenance of Blackboard site, authoring of Honours handbook and selection of markers and committee members for thesis marking.

Head of Discipline - Applied Sciences (2007- present): Responsibilities include; allocation of teaching load for FT staff, planning & maintenance of PT teaching budget, contracting of PT staff.

School Working Party - redevelopment of B. Env. Sci. (2009-2010): Overseeing implementation of recommendations relating to B . Env. Sci. program.

Coordinator - HSC Experimentfest (2004 - present). Planning and execution of Experimentfest operations at Ourimbah.

Campus Administration

• SAS Teaching Equipment Committee Representative (1996-1999). The committee was formed to manage & resource campus teaching space (e.g. projection facilities, internet).
• Campus Computer Committee Representative (1996-1998). Formed to develop common policy with TAFE regarding computer hardware and software specifications for the Ourimbah campus.
• Campus Policy Committee Alcohol Consumption (1997-1998). Formed to formulate a workable alcohol policy for a multi-sectorial campus.

Faculty Administration

• School Representative Faculty Quality Assurance Committee (2002-2003). Responsibilities included fortnightly attendance at meetings, collection and compilation of school-based data of relevance to the committee as directed by the Committee Chair.

Faculty Representative Open Foundation External review committee (2005).

Teaching

Teaching keywords

• General Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry

Teaching expertise

As a foundation academic in the School of Applied Sciences, MB has been solely responsible for development, delivery assessment and administration of all chemistry courses taught at the University of Newcastles Ourimbah

Campus. In a decade of service, MB has overseen an expansion in First Year Chemistry from an initial student intake of 7 students (1995) to enrolment numbers exceeding 140 students in 2007. MB currently undertakes all lecturing and tutoring teaching for the two 1000 level chemistry courses (CHEM1110 & CHEM1120) offered at Ourimbah. The courses are designed to provide an introduction to general & bioorganic chemistry for Life Science undergraduates. The face to face commitment is approximately 150 hours p.a.

MB has also made teaching contributions to 2000 & 3000 level courses in the fields of environmental (CHEM2260, CHEM3260) and organic chemistry (CHEM2330, 33330) at the Ourimbah and Callaghan campuses of the University of Newcastle. Specialist 4000 level courses covering selected areas of heterocyclic synthesis have also been prepared. and delivered as part of the Discipline of Chemistrys Honours program at Callaghan.

MB has fully embraced the use of modern teaching methods to delivery quality outcomes for students. Approaches utilised include:

• Provision of comprehensive guidelines of all course content to ensure that students have a full understanding of the expected course outcomes and how those outcomes will be achieved.
• Use of Blackboard as the main tool for the provision of course information to students.
• Extensive use multimedia-based teaching methods to explain and enhance teaching in lectures and laboratories.