Analytical Chemistry
Methods-focused discipline, identification, separation, and quantification of chemical species in complex samples.
Academic Sections
Six specialised disciplines, each with dedicated faculty, research groups, and state-of-the-art laboratories.
The School of Chemistry is structured around six academic sections, each representing a major discipline within the chemical sciences. This structure ensures depth of expertise, coherent research identities, and a focused learning experience for students specialising in any branch of chemistry.
Each section is led by a senior faculty member and supported by a team of professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and lecturers who are active researchers in their respective fields. Every section maintains its own research groups, specialist laboratories, and publication record.
Explore each section below to discover its faculty, research groups, laboratories, and current projects.
Biochemistry
The chemistry of life, molecular processes, enzyme kinetics, metabolism, and the biochemical basis of health and disease.
Industrial & Applied Chem.
Chemistry in practice, polymer science, green chemistry, process optimisation, and industry-relevant materials research.
Inorganic Chemistry
The chemistry of elements and metal compounds, coordination chemistry, organometallics, and inorganic materials.
Organic Chemistry
Carbon chemistry, synthesis, structure, reactivity, and the design of biologically active molecules.
Physical Chemistry
The physics of chemistry, thermodynamics, kinetics, quantum chemistry, spectroscopy, and computational methods.
Analytical Chemistry
Advancing methods for the precise identification, separation, and quantification of chemical species.
The Analytical Chemistry section develops and applies cutting-edge techniques, including chromatography, spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and mass spectrometry, to address challenges in environmental monitoring, pharmaceutical analysis, food safety, and materials characterisation. The section has a particularly strong research record in nanomaterial-based sensing platforms, biosensor development, and the application of electrochemical methods to clinical and environmental problems.
Key Research Themes
- Electrochemical sensors and biosensors.
- Nanomaterial-based detection.
- Chromatographic and spectroscopic methods.
- Environmental and water quality analysis.
- Pharmaceutical and clinical analysis.
Research Groups
Electroanalytical Research Group: modified electrodes and electrochemical biosensors.
Nanomaterials & Sensing Group: functional nanomaterials for analytical detection.
Environmental Analytical Group: pollutants and trace elements in water, soil, and food samples.
Laboratories & Facilities
- Electrochemistry Laboratory
- Spectroscopy Laboratory
- Chromatography Laboratory
- Sample Preparation Laboratory
Publications & Projects
Peer-reviewed publications are filterable by faculty member, year, and journal. Funded projects and collaborations are to be confirmed.
Biochemistry
Exploring the molecular and chemical foundations of living systems.
The Biochemistry section investigates the chemical processes underpinning biological function, from enzyme kinetics and metabolic pathways to protein structure, molecular nutrition, and biomedical applications. Research spans nutritional biochemistry, medicinal plant phytochemistry, food science, molecular diagnostics, and the biochemical basis of disease.
Key Research Themes
- Enzyme kinetics and inhibition.
- Nutritional and food biochemistry.
- Medicinal plant phytochemistry.
- Molecular diagnostics and biomarkers.
- Protein structure, function, and interaction.
Research Groups
Enzyme & Metabolic Biochemistry Group: enzyme kinetics and metabolic pathways.
Phytochemistry & Natural Products Group: bioactive compounds from medicinal plants.
Nutritional Biochemistry Group: food composition and functional food development.
Laboratories & Facilities
- Biochemistry Research Laboratory
- Phytochemistry Laboratory
- Molecular Biology Laboratory
- Food Analysis Laboratory
Publications & Projects
Peer-reviewed publications are filterable by faculty member, year, and journal. Funded projects and collaborations are to be confirmed.
Industrial & Applied Chemistry
Translating fundamental chemistry into industrial solutions and sustainable technologies.
The Industrial & Applied Chemistry section bridges fundamental chemical science and industrial practice. Research areas include polymer science and engineering, textile and dye chemistry, green and sustainable chemistry, environmental remediation, surface science, and value-added products from natural and synthetic feedstocks.
Key Research Themes
- Polymer synthesis and characterisation.
- Green and sustainable chemistry.
- Dye, textile, and effluent chemistry.
- Environmental remediation.
- Materials development and surface science.
Research Groups
Polymer Science Group: functional polymers, hydrogels, and composites.
Green Chemistry Group: sustainable processes and bio-based feedstock utilisation.
Environmental Remediation Group: adsorption, photocatalytic degradation, and membrane-based processes.
Laboratories & Facilities
- Polymer Laboratory
- Environmental Chemistry Laboratory
- Textile & Dye Laboratory
- Green Chemistry Laboratory
Publications & Projects
Peer-reviewed publications are filterable by faculty member, year, and journal. Funded projects and collaborations are to be confirmed.
Inorganic Chemistry
Investigating the synthesis, structure, and reactivity of inorganic and coordination compounds.
The Inorganic Chemistry section covers the chemistry of all elements, encompassing coordination chemistry, organometallic chemistry, bioinorganic chemistry, and solid-state materials science. Research focuses on metal complexes, inorganic nanomaterials, thin films, and semiconductor materials.
Key Research Themes
- Coordination and metal complex synthesis.
- Organometallic catalysis.
- Bioinorganic and medicinal inorganic chemistry.
- Inorganic nanomaterials.
- Solid-state and materials chemistry.
Research Groups
Coordination Chemistry Research Group: transition metal complexes.
Nanomaterials Synthesis Group: metal and metal oxide nanoparticles.
Solid-State Chemistry Group: crystalline inorganic solids.
Laboratories & Facilities
- Inorganic Synthesis Laboratory
- Characterisation Suite
- X-ray Diffraction Facility
- Nanoparticle Synthesis Laboratory
Publications & Projects
Peer-reviewed publications are filterable by faculty member, year, and journal. Funded projects and collaborations are to be confirmed.
Organic Chemistry
Designing, synthesising, and characterising carbon-based compounds for science and medicine.
The Organic Chemistry section is focused on synthesis, structural characterisation, and biological evaluation of novel organic and heterocyclic compounds. Research spans medicinal chemistry, natural product chemistry, heterocyclic synthesis, and new synthetic methodologies.
Key Research Themes
- Medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry.
- Heterocyclic compound synthesis.
- Natural product chemistry.
- New synthetic methodologies.
- Biological evaluation of novel compounds.
Research Groups
Medicinal Chemistry Synthesis Group: drug-like heterocyclic compounds.
Natural Products Group: extraction, isolation, and chemical modification.
Synthetic Methodology Group: efficient strategies for complex target synthesis.
Laboratories & Facilities
- Organic Synthesis Laboratory
- Spectroscopic Characterisation Suite
- Biological Screening Laboratory
- Natural Products Laboratory
Publications & Projects
Peer-reviewed publications are filterable by faculty member, year, and journal. Funded projects and collaborations are to be confirmed.
Physical Chemistry
Applying the laws of physics to understand the behaviour and transformation of chemical systems.
The Physical Chemistry section investigates the physical principles governing chemical reactions, thermodynamics, molecular interactions, quantum phenomena, and the structure of matter. Research areas include computational chemistry, reaction kinetics, spectroscopy, colloid and surface science, polymer thermodynamics, and smart materials.
Key Research Themes
- Computational and quantum chemistry.
- Thermodynamics and reaction kinetics.
- Spectroscopic methods and molecular modelling.
- Colloid and surface science.
- Smart materials and nanoparticle systems.
Research Groups
Computational Chemistry Group: molecular structure and electronic properties.
Colloid & Surface Science Group: adsorption isotherms and interfacial phenomena.
Smart Materials Group: stimuli-responsive polymers and nanocomposites.
Laboratories & Facilities
- Thermodynamics Laboratory
- Spectroscopy Laboratory
- Computational Chemistry Suite
- Colloid Science Laboratory
Publications & Projects
Peer-reviewed publications are filterable by faculty member, year, and journal. Funded projects and collaborations are to be confirmed.