
BSc (Hons) PAU, PhD (Wollongong)
Prof Naresh Kumar completed his PhD in organic chemistry at Wollongong University in 1983, and after working as a Research Scientist at the School of Chemistry, University of NSW was appointed a Lecturer in 2003. He moved through the ranks to become Professor of chemistry in 2009. Prof Kumar has a full-time research and teaching appointment at the University of New South Wales.
During the past ten years, he has carried out both vigorous independent and strong collaborative research in organic synthesis, natural products chemistry and biomaterials. This activity is reflected in 7 book chapters, and 250 publications that have appeared in major peer-reviewed international journals of chemistry. The major emphasis of his research has been in the area of heterocyclic chemistry and, more recently, in the areas of medicinal chemistry and biomaterials. These projects have been well supported by ARC grants, NHMRC grants, and commercial research contracts.
Prof Kumar’s group has access to state-of-the-art research facilities through the School of Chemistry and the UNSW Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre. The School is co-located with the Centre, which together have all the major scientific infrastructure required to perform cutting edge chemical research including high-field nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction. Further, the School of Chemistry enjoys state-of-the-art laboratories housed in Australia’s newest chemistry building.
Keywords: Biologically active molecules, Flavonoids, Antimicrobials, Fimbrolides, Peptidomimetics, Heterocyclic chemistry, Natural products chemistry, Biomaterials
ARC Discovery and Linkage projects
NHMRC Ideas/Project and Development grants
1979: University Medal in BSc (Hons) Chemistry
2012: University Staff Award for Excellence in Community Outreach
2016: Science Teachers' Association of NSW Outstanding Service Award
2016: Visiting Professor, Gifu University, Japan
2018: Visiting Professor, Gajdah Mada University, Indonesia
2019: Editorial Board of "Bioorganic Chemistry" section of Molecules
Our group's research interests intersect the boundaries between chemistry, biology and medicine leading to a diverse range of research projects at the forefront of medicinal chemistry and antimicrobial biomaterials. The research multidisciplinary in nature and involves a combination of synthetic organic chemistry, molecular modelling, analytical chemistry, surface characterisation and biological screening.
Project currently running in the group include:
My Research Supervision
Our team is currently supervising the research work 10 PhD, 1 MPhil and 2 honours students. The group is supported by 3 postdoctoral researchers who also mentor the research students. We have a diverse inclusive group with members from all over the world, creating a supportive environment for all to excel in their studies.