Dr Peter Wich
Senior Lecturer and Junior Professor for Bioorganic and Macromolecular Chemistry
Peter Wich leads the UNSW Research Lab for Functional Biopolymers. 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 and bio-catalysis.
- In 2009, Peter Wich received his PhD in chemistry at the University of W眉rzburg (Germany)听in the group of Prof. Carsten Schmuck.
- From 2010鈥2012 he worked as Feodor Lynen research fellow (postdoc) in the laboratory of Prof. Jean M.J. Fr茅chet at the University of California Berkeley (USA).
- From 2012鈥2018, he was working as听Assistant Professor (Junior颅pro颅fes颅sor, W1) of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Mainz (Germany) 鈥 Institute of Pharmacy and Bio颅chemistry.
- Since 2018 he is appointed as Senior Lecturer at UNSW Chemical Engineering, Sydney (Australia) and is part of the Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design (CAMD) as well as the Australian Center for Nanomedicine (ACN)
Peter has been awarded more than 20 prizes and scholarships for his research, including the Innovation Prize in Medicinal/Pharmaceutical Chemistry for his work on bioinspired nanomaterials (jointly awarded by the German Chemical and the German Pharmaceutical Society) and the Galenus Technology Prize, for his innovative achievements in the field of Pharmaceutical Technology. In 2016, he was selected as 鈥淵oung Member鈥 of the Academy of Sciences and Literature in Mainz, Germany. In recognition of his achievements, he was selected in 2019 to represent the element Roentgenium in the IUPAC Periodic Table of Younger Chemists. In 2020, Peter was named as听Polymer Chemistry Emerging Investigator, a听biennial selection of polymer scientists in the early stages of their independent careers.听
Peter has been an independent group leader for the last 9 years, graduated 7 PhD students, and overall has successfully attracted more than 鈧2 million (AUD $3 million) in support packages and competitive funding as lead- and co-investigator in his research career.
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For more detailed information听please visit our website:
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- Publications
- Media
- Grants
- Awards
- Research Activities
- Engagement
- Teaching and Supervision
- Maridulu Budyari Gumal SPHERE RSEOH CAG 2022 Extension Grant (UTS, UNSW, Aug 2022)
- UNSW Research Infrastructure Scheme RIS (UNSW, Jan 2022)
- Maridulu Budyari Gumal SPHERE RSEOH CAG Project Development Grant (UTS, UNSW, Oct 2021)
- Teaching Microgrants Scheme 2021 School of Chemical Engineering (UNSW, Aug 2021)
- UNSW Faculty of Engineering, International Seed Grant (UNSW, Aug 2021)
- Graduate School of Health Seed Grant (UTS, Apr 2021)
- Diabetes Australia Research Programm (SAHMRI, UTS, UNSW, Mar 2021)
- UNSW Chemical Engineering - Small Equipment Grant (UNSW, Feb 2021)
- UNSW-MAHE Collaborative Research Seed Grants (MAHE, UNSW, Jan 2020)
- Maridulu Budyari Gumal, Triple I Clinical Academic Group Secondment / Exchange Program (UTS, UNSW, Jan 2020)
- UNSW Faculty of Engineering, Academic Startup Funding (UNSW, Jan 2019)
- UNSW Research Infrastructure Scheme (UNSW, Nov 2018)
- Funding program by Fonds der Chemischen Industrie (FCI, University Mainz, Germany, Jan 2017)
- Project leader of Collaborative Research Center 鈥淣anodimensional Polymer Therapeutics for Tumor Therapy鈥 (SFB 1066) (University Mainz, Germany, 2013-2017)
- Internal funding program by the University of Mainz (University Mainz, Germany, Oct 2015)
- Seed funding by the Naturwissenschaftlich-Medizinische Forschungszentrum (NMFZ) in cooperation with Stauber Lab (University Mainz, Germany, Apr 2013)
- Emil und Paul M眉ller-Ged盲chtnisstiftung zur F枚rderung der Wissenschaft (University Mainz, Germany, Dec 2012)
- Department internal funding by Rochelmeyer-Stiftung (University Mainz, Germany, Dec 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
- Project member: Forschungsschwerpunkt Arzneistoff-Membrantransport und -Targeting (SAMT) (Research Center for Particle Transport in Biomedical Systems) (University Mainz, Germany, Oct 2012)
- Academic Startup Grant - Assistant Professorship (University Mainz, Germany, Apr 2012)
- Program of Excellence in Nanotechnology (UC Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, Washington University, Texas A&M, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (2010-2015)
- Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship for postdoctoral researchers (Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany) (2010-2012)
- PhD Scholarship of the 鈥淪tudienstiftung des deutschen Volkes鈥 (German National Academic Foundation) (2006-2008)听
2020 Polymer Chemistry Emerging Investigator听
2019 IUPAC Periodic Table of Younger Chemists (representing Roentgenium 111)
2019听Soft Matter听Emerging Investigators听
2017 Galenus Technology Prize (Galenus-Privatstiftung, Vienna)
2017 Literature Prize for Textbook 鈥淥rganische Chemie 鈥 Beyer/Walter鈥 (FCI)
2016 Member of the Academy of Sciences and Literature|Mainz (Junge Akademie)
2016听MedChemComm 鈥楴ew Talent: Europe鈥
2014 Innovation Prize in Medicinal/Pharmaceutical Chemistry (GDCh/DPhG)
2012 Award of the 鈥淓mil und Paul M眉ller-Ged盲chtnisstiftung鈥
2010鈥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 鈥淯nterfr盲nkische Gedenkjahrstiftung f眉r Wissenschaft鈥
2009/2010 Faculty-Award for Best PhD Thesis (University of W眉rzburg)
2006鈥2008 PhD Scholarship of the 鈥淪tudienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes鈥
2004/2005 Faculty-Award for Best Diploma in Chemistry (University of W眉rzburg)
Peter Wich leads the UNSW Research Lab for Functional Biopolymers. 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 and bio-catalysis.
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For more detailed information听please visit our website: 听
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Open Positions
We are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated new team members who enjoy science and are excited about new challenges. Interested undergraduate and graduate students of the field of (bio)organic chemistry, chemical engineering, material science, nanotechnology (and neighbouring fields) are welcome to get in touch with us. Interested candidates are encouraged to email their application documents (cover letter, CV, letter of recommendations, academic certificates/records, references). Please don鈥檛 hesitate to contact us in advance if you have questions. We are looking forward to your application!
Visit our website for more details about current open positions and the application process: 听
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Selected Publications
鈥減H-Responsive Protein Nanoparticles via Conjugation of Degradable PEG to the Surface of Cytochrome c鈥
E. Steiert, J. Ewald, A. Wagner, U. A. Hellmich, H. Frey and P. R. Wich
Polym. Chem., 2020, 11, 551 - 559. (DOI: )
鈥淩eceptor-mediated Uptake of Folic Acid-functionalized Dextran Nanoparticles for Applications in Photodynamic Therapy鈥
K. Butzbach, M. Konh盲user, M. Fach, D. N. Bamberger, B. Breitenbach, B. Epe and P. R. Wich听
Polymers, 2019, 11, 896 (DOI: )听
鈥淧rotein鈥怋ased Nanoparticles for the Delivery of Enzymes with Antibacterial Activity鈥
E. Steiert, L. Radi, M. Fach, P. R. Wich
Macromol. Rapid Commun. 2018, 1800186 (DOI: )
鈥淪urface Modification of Polysaccharide-Based Nanoparticles with PEG and Dextran and their Effects on Immune Cell Binding and Stimulatory Characteristics鈥
D. Bamberger, D. Hobernik, Matthias Konh盲user, M. Bros, P. R. Wich
Mol. Pharmaceutics 2017, 14 (12), 4403鈥4416 (DOI: )
鈥淎mphiphilic Polysaccharide Block Copolymers for pH-responsive Micellar Nanoparticles鈥
B. Breitenbach, I. Schmid, P. R. Wich
Biomacromolecules 2017, 18 (9), 2839鈥2848. (DOI: )
鈥淢ethods of Protein Surface PEGylation under Structure Preservation for the Emulsion-based Formation of Stable Nanoparticles鈥
L. Radi, M. Fach, M. Montigny, E. Berger-Nicoletti, W. Tremel, P. R. Wich
Med. Chem. Commun. 2016, 7, 1738鈥1744 (DOI: )
鈥淣anoparticle Assembly of Surface-Modified Proteins鈥
M. Fach, L. Radi, P. R. Wich
J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2016, 138 (45), 14820鈥14823 (DOI: )
For a full list of publications please see:
Scientific Affiliations and Memberships
- Australian Academy of Science (EMCR Forum) (2022 - Present)
- Tyree Foundation Institute of Health Engineering (Tyree IHealthE), UNSW Sydney (2022 - Present)
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine (ACN), UNSW Sydney (2018 - Present)
- Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design (CAMD), UNSW Sydney (2018 - Present)
- Australasian Colloid and Interface Society (ACIS) (2020 - Present)
- Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) (2019 - Present)
- German Chemical Society (GDCh) (2004 - Present)
- American Chemical Society (ACS) (2012 - Present)
- German Pharmaceutical Society (DPhG) (2012 - Present)
- Junge Akademie Mainz, Germany (Academy of Sciences and Literature, Mainz) (2016-2020)
- German Society for Biomaterials (DGBM) (2014 - 2018)
- German Association of University Professors and Lecturers (DHV) (2013 - Present)
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Engagement in Science and Education听(selection)
In 2016, Peter published together with his colleagues Schmuck und Schirmeister a completely revised edition of the German textbook "Organic Chemistry - Beyer / Walter". For the work on this book, they received 2017 the Literature Prize of the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie (FCI; Chemical Industry Fund)
In addition to research and teaching at the university, he is also engaged to communicate scien颅tific topics to a broader audience. He is the founder of the largest and most successful online portal for chemical experiments, demonstrations and teaching resources in the German-speaking area: Experimentalchemie.de. In addition to this, he and his team had several TV guest appearances as 鈥渟cience experts鈥听in popular German TV edutainment shows, such as Galileo, Planetopia or "1, 2 or 3".
My Teaching
Research Supervision听
PhD Students (all as primary supervisor):
- Amy Gullins (Feb 2022 鈥 present)
- Rakib Sheikh (Jan 2020 鈥 present)
- Luca Altevogt (Jan 2020 鈥 present)
- Vinod Kannaujiya (Sep 2019 鈥 present)
- Jonas Kaltbeitzel (Aug 2019 鈥 present)
- Ziqing Wang (Aug 2019 鈥 present)
- Elena Steiert (Nov 2016 鈥 Feb 2020)
- Matthias Konh盲user (Oct 2016 鈥 Dec 2019) 听 听 听 听 听 听
- Benjamin Breitenbach (Apr 2015 鈥 Feb 2019)
- Lydia Radi (Nov 2014 鈥 May 2018)
- Ira Schmid (May 2014 鈥 Oct 2018)
- Matthias Fach (Nov 2012 鈥 Dez 2016)听听 听
- Denise Bamberger (Jul 2012 鈥 Sep 2016)
International Visiting Students:
- 脰zg眉r Capar (Dec 2019 鈥 Feb 2020, PhD Student, University of D眉sseldorf, Germany)
- Therese Steudter (Sep 2019 鈥 Feb 2020, Practicum, Chemie, University Mainz, Germany)
- Nawal Thaher (Aug 2019 鈥 Oct 2019, Practicum, Pharmazie, University Mainz, Germany)
- Sophia Heuser (May 2019 鈥 Oct 2019, PJ Practicum, Pharmazie, University Mainz, Germany)听
- Jasmin H枚rner (Mar 2019 鈥 Apr 2019, Practicum, Pharmazie, University Mainz, Germany)
- Ilaria Geremia (Mar 2014 鈥 Sep 2014, Undergraduate Student, University of Trieste, Italy)
- Mario Ficker (Feb 2015 鈥 May 2015, PhD Student, University of Copenhagen, Denmark)
Honours Students: (Start)
2022-T1 Parisa Ahmed (Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Australia)
2022-T1 Melody Ranger (Chemical Engineering, UNSW, Australia)
2021-T2 Alvis Leung (Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Australia)
2020-T3 Viktor Haljicki (Chemical Engineering, UNSW, Australia)
2020-T3 Samson Sternhell (Chemical Engineering, UNSW, Australia)
2019-T3 Ecem Unal (Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Australia)
2019-T3 Marco Lau (Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Australia)
2019-T3 Araya Chokenana (Chemical Engineering, UNSW, Australia)
2019-T3 Sohini Chakrabarti (Chemical Engineering, UNSW, Australia)
2019-T2 Farhan Haque (Chemical Engineering, UNSW, Australia)
2019-T2 Olivia Chan (Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Australia)
2019-T1 Anas Halim (Chemical Engineering, UNSW, Australia)
2019-T1 Nur Fazlin (Chemical Engineering, UNSW, Australia)
2019-T1 Sam Holland (Chemical Engineering, UNSW, Australia)
Taste of Research Students: (Start)
2021-T1 Cindy Winata (Chemical Engineering, UNSW, Australia)
2019-T3 Ivan Johann (Chemical Engineering, UNSW, Australia)
Master Students:
- Bianca Spie脽 (Mar 2017 鈥 Sep 2017, Chemie, Uni Mainz, Germany)
- Marie Luise Frey (Jun 2016 鈥 Dez 2016, Biomedizinische Chemie, Uni Mainz, Germany)
- Elena Steiert (Apr 2016 鈥 Sep 2016, Biomedizinische Chemie, Uni Mainz, Germany)
- Matthias Konh盲user (Feb 2016 鈥 Aug 2016, Biomedizinische Chemie, Uni Mainz, Germany)
- Benjamin Breitenbach (Jun 2014 鈥 Feb 2015, Biomedizinische Chemie, Uni Mainz, Germany)
- Ira Schmid (Mar 2013 鈥 Nov 2013, Biomedizinische Chemie, Uni Mainz, Germany)
Bachelor Students:
- Tino Mackiol (Mar 2017 鈥 Jul 2017, Biomedizinische Chemie, Uni Mainz, Germany)
- Bellinda Lantzberg (Sep 2016 鈥 Nov 2016, Biomedizinische Chemie, Uni Mainz, Germany)
- Carina Ade (Nov 2015 鈥 Jan 2016, Biomedizinische Chemie, Uni Mainz, Germany)
- Ioanna Xenidou (Mar 2015 鈥 May 2015, Biomedizinische Chemie, Uni Mainz, Germany)
- Laura Mayer (Apr 2015 鈥 Jun 2015, Biomedizinische Chemie, Uni Mainz, Germany)
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Teaching Courses
UNSW Sydney听(Australia):
- CEIC6712 Pharmaceutical Design and Engineering (course coordinator, 2020 - today)
- CHEN6701 Advanced Reaction Engineering (course coordinator, 2018 - today)
- CEIC1000 Sustainable Product Engineering and Design / Sustainable Food Product Manufacturing (2021 - present)
- CEIC2007 Chemical Engineering Lab A (UNSW Sydney) (2019 - present)
- CEIC4951, CEIC4952, CEIC4953 Research Thesis (2018 - today)
- CEIC9951, CEIC9952, CEIC9953 Advanced Research Thesis (2018 - present)
- BIOM4951, BIOM4952, BIOM4953 Research Thesis (2019 - today)
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Teaching University of Mainz (Germany):
- 鈥淧harmazeutische/Medizinische Chemie I: Quantitative Bestimmung von Arznei-, Hilfs- und Schadstoffen鈥 Lecture series + coordination of accompanying laboratory course for 2. semester pharmacy students听(SS 2012 - WS 2017/18)
- 鈥淓inf眉hrung in Instrumentelle Analytik I bzw. II鈥 Lecture series about methods in analytical chemistry and instrumental analysis for pharmacy students (SS 2014 - WS 2017/18)
- 鈥淧rinzipien und Spezielle Aspekte des Wirkstoffdesign鈥 Lecture series about drug design and nanomaterials for advanced pharmacy students and biomedical chemistry master students (WS 2013/14 - WS 2017/18)
- 鈥淧harmazeutische/Medizinische Chemie鈥 Lecture series about medicinal chemistry for advanced pharmacy students (WS 2012/13 - WS 2017/18)