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 9385 4308
Ira Schmid
PhD student
Ira is a PhD student in our team and is our chemistry (aka column chromatography) expert! But that’s by far not her only strength. Currently she develops new functional systems on the nano-scale and works on dynamic enzyme mimics.
Ira studied Biomedicinal Chemistry at the University of Mainz.
(Diplom Chemikerin)- E: ira.schmid@uni-mainz.de
- P:+49 (6131) 39-21211
Benjamin Breitenbach
PhD Student
Benni studied Biomedicinal Chemistry at the University of Mainz and is now working in our group on his PhD project. As an avid fan of comics we anticipate that he absorbs some of the superpowers and funnels them into his work on biodegradable nanoparticles for the safe transport of
KryptoniteRNA/DNA.
(Diplom Chemiker)- E: bbreite@uni-mainz.de
- P:+49 (6131) 39-21211
Lydia Radi
PhD Student
Lydia has a strong background in pharmaceutical technology and biomedicinal chemistry. Combining these skills, she is now working on new protein-based nanoparticles. Lydia studied Biomedicinal Chemistry in Mainz, worked on her Diploma project in Hamburg.
(Diplom Chemikerin)- E: radi@uni-mainz.de
- P:+49 (6131) 39-21211
Matthias Konhäuser
PhD Student
Matthias studied Biomedicinal Chemistry at the University of Mainz and is working on his Ph.D. in our group. His focus is on the development of sugar-based nanoparticles for various therapeutic applications (Master of Science – Biomedicinal Chemistry)
- E: konhaeus@uni-mainz.de
- P:+49 (6131) 39-21211
Elena Steiert
PhD Student
Elena studied Biomedicinal Chemistry at the University of Mainz and an expert for protein-based nano materials, which she is evaluating for the delivery of biotherapeutics. (Master of Science – Biomedicinal Chemistry)
- E: steiert@uni-mainz.de
- P:+49 (6131) 39-21211
Pia Winterwerber
Master Student
Pia is the newest member in the WichLab. She is studying Biomedicinal Chemistry at the University of Mainz and is now doing her Master Research Work in our group. Pia is developing protein-hybrid nanomaterials (Student of Biomedicinal Chemistry)
- E: pwinterw@students.uni-mainz.de
- P:+49 (06131) 39-21211
Interested to join the team?
→ Postdoc, PhD, Master/Honor, 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 here. Interested students are welcome to get in touch with us via email or the contact form.- E: p.wich@unsw.edu.au
- P:+61 2 9385 4308
Peter R. Wich – Curriculum vitae
Peter R. Wich is a Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales in Sydney (Australia) – School of Chemical Engineering. He 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 bioorganic chemistry and the interface between nanotechnology and biomolecular materials. Currently, his work focuses on the development of dynamic biomaterials in form of multifunctional and biocompatible polymer platforms for the delivery of therapeutic drugs and applicationes in catalysis.
“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 with 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. (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)
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” 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) Visit our labs at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia
Wichlab Alumni
Diploma, Master, PhDploma
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 nanomaterialsIra Schmid (Mar 2013 – Nov 2013)
Diploma Student (Biomedizinische Chemie)
Ira worked on the development of Enzyme like BiopolymersIlaria Geremia (Mar 2014 – Sep 2014)
Research Fellow (Master in Medical Biotechnology, University of Trieste, Italy)
Ilaria worked on nano particulate biomaterials based on polysaccharidesBachelor
Tino Mackiol (Mar 2017 – Jul 2017)
Bachelor Student (Biomedizinische Chemie)
Tino synthesized supramolecular enzyme-like structuresBellinda Lantzberg (Sep 2016 – Nov 2016)
Bachelor Student (Biomedizinische Chemie)
Bellinda synthesized organic polyamines as artificial enzyme mimeticsCarina Ade (Nov 2015 – Jan 2016)
Bachelor Student (Biomedizinische Chemie)
Carina worked on the organic synthesis of biomimetic nano structuresLaura Mayer (Apr 2015 – Jun 2015)
Bachelor Student (Biomedizinische Chemie)
Laura worked on various biotechnology methods to formulate novel nanoparticle systemsIoanna Xenidou (Mar 2015 – May 2015)
Bachelor Student (Biomedizinische Chemie)
Ioanna did organic synthesis of biomimetic nano structuresInternship
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
Summer 2015 – Group trip to the beautify rhine valleyGroup Photo Archive
Wichlab Australia: University of New South Wales
School of Chemical Engineering
Chemical Science Building F10, NSW 2052, Sydney
Wichlab Germany: Johannes Gutenberg-University
Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry
Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz
AU +61 2 9385 4308
