Peter R. Wich
Team Leader
TopPeter is by training an organic chemist, with expertise in supramolecular and macromolecular chemistry. He is fascinated by nature’s solutions for complex molecular systems and works now on the development of dynamic and bio-inspired nanomaterials.
More info>- E: p.wich@unsw.edu.au
- P:+61 2 938 55664
Ziqing Wang
PhD student
Ziqing graduated with a degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from the University of Sydney. She is an expert for catalytic systems and works on enzyme-based nanomaterials. Ziqing is a huge fan of Japanese culture and loves dogs. (Bachelor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering)
Jonas Kaltbeitzel
PhD student
Jonas studied Biomedicinal Chemistry at the University of Mainz (Germany) and has a strong background in biopolymers and organic chemistry. Combining these skills, he is now working on new protein-based nanoparticles. (Master of Science – Biomedicinal Chemistry)
Vinod Kannaujiya
PhD student
Vinod graduated with a Masters degree in Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal in India. In his PhD project, he is now applying his passion for organic and bio-inspired chemistry for the development of dynamic polysaccharide-based nanomaterials. Vinod is an avid cricket player and enjoys listening to Bollywood music in his free time. (BS-MS Dual Degree in Chemistry)
Luca Altevogt
PhD Student
Luca obtained her Bachelor degree in Biochemistry at the University of Ulm (Germany) and her Master of Science in Chemistry at the University of Stuttgart (Germany). She is an expert for bioinspired and functional (bio)materials and currently holds a prestigious Scientia PhD scholarship for her graduate studies in our group. (Master of Science – Chemistry)
Rakib Sheikh
PhD Student
Rakib obtained his Bachelor degree in Nanotechnology from the SRM University in Tamil Nadu (India) and later studied Biomedical Engineering at the University of Sydney (Australia). Rakib has strong expertise in nanotechnology, tissue engineering and biomedical research. His main focus is on the development of dynamic biopolymer-based materials. (Master of Professional Engineering – Biomedical)
Yijie Qiao
PhD student
Yijie obtained her undergraduate Bachelor’s degree at Wuhan University in Pharmacy. After that, she obtained a Master’s degree at Qinghai University in Radioactive Medicine. She is an expert on biochemical and medicine-related aspects of nanomaterials, which is the main focus of her PhD project. Yijie has a cute cat named Champagne – cheers! (Bachelor in Pharmacy / Master in Radioactive Medicine)
Özgür Capar
Research Exchange PhD Student
Özgür is a PhD student in the group of Prof. Laura Hartmann at the Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf (Germany) and is visiting us as a Research Exchange Student for 3 months. (PhD Student of Macromolecular Chemistry)
Therese Steudter
Research Exchange Student
Therese is studying Biomedicinal Chemistry at the University of Mainz (Germany) and is now working as Research Exchange Student in our group for 6 months. She is developing polysaccharide-based polymers for the formation of dynamic nanomaterials. (Student of Biomedicinal Chemistry)
Interested to join the team?
→ Postdoc, PhD, Master/Honours, Bachelor, Internship
We are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated new team members who enjoy science and are excited about challenges.
More information about open positions and the application process can be found below. Interested students and researchers are welcome to get in touch with us via email or the contact form.- E: p.wich@unsw.edu.au
- P:+61 2 9065 3048
Read MoreMission Statement – Our Values, Goals and Responsibilities
Peter R. Wich – Curriculum vitae
Peter R. Wich leads the UNSW Research Lab for Functional Biopolymers. He is a Research Group Leader and Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales in Sydney (Australia) – School of Chemical Engineering. Peter received his PhD in Chemistry at the University of Würzburg (Germany) in the group of Prof. Carsten Schmuck and was a Feodor Lynen research fellow in the laboratory of Prof. Jean M.J. Fréchet at the University of California Berkeley (USA). From 2012-2018, Peter worked as Assistant Professor (Juniorprofessor, W1) of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Mainz (Germany) – Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry. His primary research interests are in the fields of macromolecular chemistry at the interface between nanotechnology and bioorganic chemistry. His lab focuses on the chemical modification of natural biopolymers with the aim to engineer new multifunctional and biocompatible materials for applications in drug delivery, nanomedicine, bio-catalysis, and 3D printing.
“Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish” – Steve Jobs
Peter received a PhD fellowship by the German National Academic Foundation (Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes) (2006-2008) and was granted a Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for his postdoctoral research (2010-2011). He also received high honors during his undergraduate studies (Diploma, 2005) and his graduate work (PhD, 2009) where he received both times the Faculty Award of the Chemistry Department of the University of Würzburg. Amongst several awards for the best presentations at international conferences, he was awarded the 2010 Reaxys PhD Prize (Runner-Up) and the 2010 IUPAC Prize for Young Chemists (Honorable Mention Award) for his work on multifunctional oligopeptides as an artificial toolkit for molecular recognition events. In 2014 Peter was awarded the Innovation Prize in Medicinal/Pharmaceutical Chemistry (GDCh/DPhG) for his work on innovative bioinspired nanomaterials. Since 2016 he is an elected member of the Academy of Sciences and Literature|Mainz (Junge Akademie). In 2017 Peter received the Galenus Technology Prize, a biennial award for innovative achievements in the field of Pharmaceutical Technology. In recognition of his achievements, he was selected in 2019 to represent the element Roentgenium in the IUPAC Periodic Table of Younger Chemists. In 2019 Peter was named Emerging Investigator of the Journal “Soft Matter” and in 2020 he was selected as Polymer Chemistry Emerging Investigator. (full CV – pdf)
Education / Research Experience
2018– Senior Lecturer, School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW Sydney 2012–2018 Assistant Professor (W1), Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Univ. Mainz 2010–2012 Postdoctoral Research, Dept. of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley 2005–2009 Doctoral Research, Dept. of Organic Chemistry, University of Würzburg 2005/2006 Research Assistant, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UC San Diego 2004–2005 Diploma Research, Dept. of Organic Chemistry, University of Würzburg 2003 Research Assistant, Dept. of Organic Chemistry, Heriot Watt Univ. Edinburgh 2002 Research Assistant, Inst. of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Würzburg Awards and Scholarships (selection)
2020 Polymer Chemistry Emerging Investigator 2019 IUPAC Periodic Table of Younger Chemists (Roentgenium 111) 2019 Soft Matter Emerging Investigator 2017 Literature Prize for Textbook “Organische Chemie – Beyer/Walter” (FCI) 2017 Galenus Technology Prize (Galenus-Privatstiftung, Vienna) 2016 Member of the “Akademie der Wissenschaften und der Literatur Mainz” 2016 MedChemComm ‘New Talent: Europe’ 2014 Innovation Prize in Medicinal/Pharmaceutical Chemistry (GDCh/DPhG) 2012 Award of the “Emil und Paul Müller-Gedächtnisstiftung” 2010–2012 Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship (Alexander von Humboldt Foundation) 2010 Dr. Luis Moroder Award (Excellent Stone Award) 2010 Reaxys PhD Prize (Runner-Up) 2010 IUPAC Prize for Young Chemists (Honorable Mention Award) 2010 Award of the “Unterfränkische Gedenkjahrstiftung für Wissenschaft” 2009/2010 Faculty-Award for Best PhD Thesis (University of Würzburg, Germany) 2006–2008 PhD Scholarship of the “Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes” 2004/2005 Faculty-Award for Best Diploma in Chemistry (University of Würzburg) Join TeamInterested in joining our team? Get in contact with us!
Wichlab Alumni
PhD, Master
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Elena Steiert (Nov 2016 – Feb 2020)
PhD Student (Chemistry)
Elena developed protein-based nanoparticles with antibacterial activity and dynamic drug delivery properties
Matthias Konhäuser (Nov 2016 – Dez 2019)
PhD Student (Chemistry)
Matthias developed sugar-based nanoparticles for various therapeutic applications
Benjamin Breitenbach (Apr 2015 – Feb 2019)
PhD Student (Chemistry)
Benjamin developed responsive polysaccharide macrosurfactants and nanoparticles
Ira Schmid (May 2014 – Oct 2018)
PhD Student (Chemistry)
Ira developed functional nano-systems and artificial enzyme mimics
Lydia Radi (Nov 2014 – May 2018)
PhD Student (Chemistry)
Lydia developed a new class of enzyme-based nanoparticles
Pia Winterwerber (Oct 2017 – Mar 2018)
Master Student (Biomedizinische Chemie)
Pia developed protein-hybrid nanomaterials
Marie-Luise Frey (Jun 2016 – Dez 2016)
Master Student (Biomedizinische Chemie)
Marie developed polysaccharide-based nanomaterials
Matthias Fach (Nov 2012 – Dez 2016)
PhD Student (Pharmazie/Chemie)
Matthias developed a new class of protein-based nanoparticles
Denise Bamberger (Jul 2012 – Sep 2016)
PhD Student (Pharmazie)
Denise developed sugar-based nanoparticle systems for the delivery of therapeutic drugs
Benjamin Breitenbach (Jun 2014 – Feb 2015)
Diploma Student (Biomedizinische Chemie)
Benjamin worked on the development of polysaccharide nanomaterials
Ira Schmid (Mar 2013 – Nov 2013)
Diploma Student (Biomedizinische Chemie)
Ira worked on the development of enzyme-like biopolymers
Ilaria Geremia (Mar 2014 – Sep 2014)
Research Fellow (Master in Medical Biotechnology, University of Trieste, Italy)
Ilaria worked on nano particulate biomaterials based on polysaccharidesVisiting Researchers, Bachelor
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Nawal Thaher (Aug 2019 – Oct 2019)
Pharmacy Student (Pharmazeutische Chemie)
Sophia Heuser (May 2019 – Oct 2019)
Pharmacy Student (Praktisches Jahr – Pharmaceutical Chemistry)
Tino Mackiol (Mar 2017 – Jul 2017)
Bachelor Student (Biomedizinische Chemie)
Tino synthesized supramolecular enzyme-like structures
Bellinda Lantzberg (Sep 2016 – Nov 2016)
Bachelor Student (Biomedizinische Chemie)
Bellinda synthesized organic polyamines as artificial enzyme mimetics
Carina Ade (Nov 2015 – Jan 2016)
Bachelor Student (Biomedizinische Chemie)
Carina worked on the organic synthesis of biomimetic nano structures
Laura Mayer (Apr 2015 – Jun 2015)
Bachelor Student (Biomedizinische Chemie)
Laura worked on various biotechnology methods to formulate novel nanoparticle systems
Ioanna Xenidou (Mar 2015 – May 2015)
Bachelor Student (Biomedizinische Chemie)
Ioanna did organic synthesis of biomimetic nano structuresHonours Students
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Start in:
2021-T2 Alvis Leung (Biomedical Engineering) 2020-T3 Viktor Haljicki (Chemical Engineering) 2020-T3 Samson Sternhell (Chemical Engineering) 2019-T3 Araya Chokenana (Chemical Engineering) 2019-T3 Ecem Unal (Biomedical Engineering) 2019-T3 Marco Lau (Biomedical Engineering) 2019-T3 Sohini Chakrabarti (Chemical Engineering) 2019-T2 Farhan Haque (Chemical Engineering) 2019-T2 Olivia Chan (Biomedical Engineering) 2019-T1 Anas Halim (Chemical Engineering) 2019-T1 Nur Fazlin (Chemical Engineering) 2019-T1 Sam Holland (Chemical Engineering) Short Term Internship
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Jan-Mar 2021 Cindy Winata (Chemical Engineering – Taste of Research Program) Jan-Mar 2020 Ivan Johan (Chemistry – Taste of Research Program) Apr 2019 Jasmin Hörner (Pharmazie – Wahlpflichtpraktikum) Oct 2017 Lea-Marie Vogt (Biomedizinische Chemie – Forschungsmodul) Aug 2017 Max Scherger(Biomedizinische Chemie – Forschungsmodul) Jul 2017 Pia Winterwerber (Biomedizinische Chemie – Forschungsmodul) Sep 2016 Lukas Kaluza (Biomedizinische Chemie – Forschungsmodul) Aug 2015 John Haupt (Biomedizinische Chemie – Forschungsmodul) Jan 2015 Anne Hollerbach (Biomedizinische Chemie – Forschungsmodul) Jun 2014 Nadine Kümmerer (Biomedizinische Chemie – Forschungsmodul) Nov 2013 Johanna Simon (Biomedizinische Chemie – Forschungsmodul) Nov 2013 Laura Besch (Biomedizinische Chemie – Forschungsmodul) Mar 2013 Johannes Cremer (Pharmazie – Wahlpflichtpraktikum) Mar 2013 Tobias Benkel (Pharmazie – Wahlpflichtpraktikum) Our Ingredients for Good Research
Group Activities
End of Year/Summer Group Outing 2020
Summer Group Outing 2017 – Canoeing on the river Lahn
Summer Group Outing 2016 – Fussball Golf and Picnic
Summer 2015 – Group trip to the beautify rhine valley
Summer Group Outing 2014 – minigolf and lasertag
December 2014 – Christmas is in the air
Summer Group Outing 2013 – climbing park WiesbadenGroup Photo Archive
2021 - UNSW Sydney (Australia)
2019 - UNSW Sydney (Australia)
2017 - JGU Mainz (Germany)
2016 - JGU Mainz (Germany)
2015 - JGU Mainz (Germany)DirectionsVisit our labs at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia
