Professor of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland
Expert in Conducting Polymers, Bioelectronics, and Advanced Polymeric Materials
Academic Qualifications
PhD, Chemistry, The University of Auckland, 1999
MSc, Polymer Engineering, University of Zagreb, Croatia, 1994
BSc, Chemical Engineering, University of Zagreb, Croatia, 1991
Professional Positions Held
2022–Present: Co-Director, Centre for Innovative Materials for Health, The University of Auckland
2002–Present: Lecturer, Senior Lecturer (2005), Associate Professor (2009), Professor (2014), The University of Auckland
2019–2021: Deputy Head (Research), School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland
2018–2019: Director, CSO, Co-founder, SpotCheck Technologies
2003–2022: Director, Polymer Electronics Research Centre/Centre for Polymer Biointerfaces, The University of Auckland
2007–Present: Principal Investigator, MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology; Science Programme Leader (2021–2023)
1999–2001: Senior Project Manager, Scientist, Pacific Lithium (NZ) Ltd.
1999: Scientist, Genesis Research and Development Corporation Limited
1995–1998: Assistant Lecturer (0.5 FTE), Chemistry, The University of Auckland
Research Interests
I am a materials scientist with expertise in polymeric materials and their applications in bioelectronics, biosensors, and actuators. My research is at the interface between chemistry, biology, and engineering, with a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration. My current focus includes:
- Electrochemical, cost-effective, and portable biosensors
- Functional organic electronic materials for bio-interfaces and biomimetic bioelectronics for wearable and implantable devices
- Advanced methodologies for nano/micro-fabrication and characterization of polymeric materials for bioelectronics
- Nanostructured and composite materials for energy storage
Distinctions and Awards
2024: Elected to Clare Hall Life Membership, University of Cambridge
2023: Visiting Fellowship at Clare Hall, University of Cambridge, UK
2022: The University of Auckland Research Excellence Award
2021: 1st Place, UoA Velocity Commercialisation Challenge, Academic Ventures
2020: Australian Institute for Nuclear Science & Engineering Service Recognition
2019: Hector Medal, Royal Society Te Apārangi, New Zealand
2019: Fellow, Scientific Council for Oil and Petrochemical Economy and Energy, Croatian Academy of Science and Arts
2018: Shorland Medal, New Zealand Association of Scientists
2017: Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand (RSNZ)
2017: Maurice Wilkins Centre Prize for Chemical Sciences, NZIC
2016: 1st Place (Overall), UoA Velocity Commercialisation Challenge
2015–2021: Councilor, Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering
2013–2015: Invited Full Member, European Scientific Network for Artificial Muscles (ESNAM), European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action
2011: Fellow of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)
2009–Present: Councillor, Pacific Polymer Federation
2009: Fellow, New Zealand Institute of Chemistry
2008: Easterfield Medal, NZIC/Royal Society of Chemistry UK
2005: Early Career Research Excellence Award, The University of Auckland
1997–1998: Australian Institute for Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE) Post-Graduate Research Award
1991–1994: Croatian Ministry of Science and Technology Scholarship
1994: Scholarship for Research Activity, Federal Ministry of Science and Research, Republic of Austria
1986–1990: Government Undergraduate Scholarship, Croatia
Editorial and Review Roles
- Associate Editor: Macromolecules (ACS), from October 2024
- International Advisory Boards:
- Macromolecules (ACS) (2022–Present)
- Materials Advances (RSC) (2020–Present)
- Journal of Materials Chemistry C (RSC) (2020–Present)
- ACS Applied Polymer Materials (2021–Present)
- ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces (2019–2021)
- Chemistry–An Asian Journal (2010–2018)
- Journal of Applied Polymer Science (2015–Present)
- International Journal of Nanotechnology (2008–Present)
- Conference Leadership:
- Chair, 6th International Conference on Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology
- Chair, 12th International Conference on Frontiers of Polymers and Advanced Materials (2013)
- Co-Chair, 17th Pacific Polymer Conference (2022)
- Guest Editor: International Journal of Nanotechnology (2009, 2013)
- Pacifichem: Topical Program Advisor for Macromolecules (2010, 2015, 2020, 2025)
- Reviewer: International funding agencies, including the Australian Research Council, Austrian Science Fund, and European Science Foundation.
- Journal Reviewer: Refereed for over 30 international journals, including Advanced Materials, Advanced Functional Materials, Nature, Nature Communications, and more.
Professional Memberships
Materials Research Society
American Chemical Society
International Society for Optical Engineering
New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (Chair, Auckland Branch, 2007–2009)