Team – Wich Research Lab

Peter R. Wich
Team Leader
Peter 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)

More about Ziqing
- E: ziqing.wang2@unsw.edu.au
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)
- E: j.kaltbeitzel@unsw.edu.au
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)
- E: v.kannaujiya@unsw.edu.au
- Twitter
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)
- E: l.altevogt@unsw.edu.au
- LinkedIn
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)
- E: r.sheikh@unsw.edu.au
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)
- E: yijie.qiao@unsw.edu.au
Amy Gullins
PhD student
Amy graduated with a Bachelor degree in Material Science and Engineering from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. Her PhD project focuses on biomaterials for the 3D printing of functional structures. Amy is highly engaged in student/research societies, she is an ambassador for Women in Engineering and an advocate for EDI matters. Outside of uni, Amy enjoys musicals and theatrical plays. (Bachelor in Materials Engineering, minor in Biology)
- E: a.gullins@unsw.edu.au
- LinkedIn
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.

Join the Team Contact Form
- E: p.wich@unsw.edu.au
- P:+61 2 9065 3048

Mission Statement – Our Values, Goals and Responsibilities

Peter R. Wich – Curriculum vitae

Peter Wich

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)

Interested in joining our team? Get in contact with us!

Join Team

Wichlab Alumni

PhD, Master

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Elena Steiert Wichlab Team

Elena Steiert (Nov 2016 – Feb 2020)
PhD Student (Chemistry)
Elena developed protein-based nanoparticles with antibacterial activity and dynamic drug delivery properties

Matthias Konhäuser Wichlab Team

Matthias Konhäuser (Nov 2016 – Dez 2019)
PhD Student (Chemistry)
Matthias developed sugar-based nanoparticles for various therapeutic applications

Benjamin Breitenbach Wichlab

Benjamin Breitenbach (Apr 2015 – Feb 2019)
PhD Student (Chemistry)
Benjamin developed responsive polysaccharide macrosurfactants and nanoparticles

Ira Schmid Wichlab

Ira Schmid (May 2014 – Oct 2018)
PhD Student (Chemistry)
Ira developed functional nano-systems and artificial enzyme mimics

Lydia Radia Wichlab Team member

Lydia Radi (Nov 2014 – May 2018)
PhD Student (Chemistry)
Lydia developed a new class of enzyme-based nanoparticles

Pia Winterwerber Wichlab

Pia Winterwerber (Oct 2017 – Mar 2018)
Master Student (Biomedizinische Chemie)
Pia developed protein-hybrid nanomaterials

Marie-Luise Frey Wichlab Team

Marie-Luise Frey (Jun 2016 – Dez 2016)
Master Student (Biomedizinische Chemie)
Marie developed polysaccharide-based nanomaterials

Matthias Fach

Matthias Fach (Nov 2012 – Dez 2016)
PhD Student (Pharmazie/Chemie)
Matthias developed a new class of protein-based nanoparticles

Denise Bamberger

Denise Bamberger (Jul 2012 – Sep 2016)
PhD Student (Pharmazie)
Denise developed sugar-based nanoparticle systems for the delivery of therapeutic drugs

Benjamin Breitenbach - Wichlab team member

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 Wichlab Uni Mainz

Ilaria Geremia (Mar 2014 – Sep 2014)
Research Fellow (Master in Medical Biotechnology, University of Trieste, Italy)
Ilaria worked on nano particulate biomaterials based on polysaccharides

Visiting Researchers, Bachelor

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Oezguer CaparUNSW Wichlab

Özgür Capar (Dec 2019 – Feb 2020)
Visiting PhD Student, University of Düsseldorf, Germany (Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry)

Therese Steudter UNSW Wichlab

Therese Steudter (Sep 2019 – Feb 2020)
Research Practicum, (Biomedizinische Chemie, University Mainz, Germany)

Nawal Thaher UNSW Wichlab

Nawal Thaher (Aug 2019 – Oct 2019)
Pharmacy Student (Pharmazeutische Chemie)

Sophia Heuser Wichlab UNSW

Sophia Heuser (May 2019 – Oct 2019)
Pharmacy Student (Praktisches Jahr – Pharmaceutical Chemistry)

Tino Mackiol Wichlab Team

Tino Mackiol (Mar 2017 – Jul 2017)
Bachelor Student (Biomedizinische Chemie)
Tino synthesized supramolecular enzyme-like structures

Bellinda Lantzberg

Bellinda Lantzberg (Sep 2016 – Nov 2016)
Bachelor Student (Biomedizinische Chemie)
Bellinda synthesized organic polyamines as artificial enzyme mimetics

Carina Ade Wichlab Team

Carina Ade (Nov 2015 – Jan 2016)
Bachelor Student (Biomedizinische Chemie)
Carina worked on the organic synthesis of biomimetic nano structures

Laura Mayer Wichlab Team

Laura Mayer (Apr 2015 – Jun 2015)
Bachelor Student (Biomedizinische Chemie)
Laura worked on various biotechnology methods to formulate novel nanoparticle systems

Ioanna Xenidou Wichlab

Ioanna Xenidou (Mar 2015 – May 2015)
Bachelor Student (Biomedizinische Chemie)
Ioanna did organic synthesis of biomimetic nano structures

Honours Students

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Start in:

2022-T1	Parisa Ahmed (Biomedical Engineering)
2022-T1	Melody Ranger (Chemical Engineering)
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)