Research Areas
The Department of Chemistry is one of the foundation departments of the University and has a faculty that is very active in research. The Department, which has an international reputation in several areas, is well equipped with 'state-of-the-art' instrumentation to support its research. The Department is also active in the research program of the Research Centre for Materials and Surface Science, which involves collaboration with Physics.
The recent Australian Government review of research quality (ERA) evaluated our research as being world class, with particular strengths in physical and analytical chemistry.
The research programs of the Department of Chemistry fall into two broad themes, consistent with the research themes of the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS). The themes are:
- Molecular Design and Synthesis
- Molecular Processes and Anlaysis
These areas are not the same as the traditional division of Chemistry into the areas of Inorganic, Organic, Physical and Analytical, nor are they completely separate and distinct. There is considerable interaction between themes, and in many cases they share research tools and methods.
Molecular Processes and Analysis
This research theme includes the traditional physical and analytical chemistry, as well as computational chemistry. Members include Mechler, Robertson, Hogan, Potter, Angove, Wilson and Spencer.
Molecular Design and Synthesis
This research theme emcompasses research on the design of new molecules and new chemistry, as well as the synthesis and analysis of new molecules. Organic, medicinal and inorganic chemistry, together with molecular modeling. Members of this theme include Abbott, Barnard, Dutton, Richards and Wilson.
A very important component of the Department's research programs is the training of postgraduate students in research methods generally and in the application of the latest specialised instrumental techniques.