Group leader. Apart from science, her other passions are elephants and cello. Loves eating and can eat an unlimited amount of steamed rice and hot chips. Never goes anywhere without her trusted companion pet Nellie (as per photo), who is also the Kwan lab and BIOL1997 class pet/mascot.

Group leader and honorary lab affiliate. Crystallography and RNA expert. Co-supervises with Ann on the growing project on targeting RNA-binding proteins for new antimicrobials. Brazilian BBQ king who beats the best Brazilian restaurants in Sydney except would not agree to BBQ pineapple.

Structural biology Lab Manager (i.e., the person who really runs the SB labs). Ann’s first co-supervised PhD student with Margie from all those years ago! Have a wealth of life, lab and project experience including living in Japan. When not in lab manager mode, works as a part-time senior postdoc with Joel and a super mum to two kids. Supreme at multitasking and is amazing at hosting functions and board game parties.

Research assistant (2025-), Hons (2024-2025), Volunteer (2024-) and pre-Hons student via a Denison summer scholarship in Connie’s lab in Chemistry. Has done the most number of building inductions and has access to most number of buildings out of all lab members. Interested in fighting genetic and infectious diseases by engineering delivery tags to bring novel molecules into cells. Into all things French. A very capable research assistant helping with multiple projects until starting her Masters in France.

Research assistant (2026-), summer scholar (2025-2026) and Hons (2025–). Passionate for protein engineering and pharmacological innovations. From agriculture, R&D baker to fermentation/distilling enthusiast, when he's not cooking up in the lab, he's experimenting in the kitchen. Looking forward to a yummy year at lab gatherings. Deserves a bravery award - unfazed by starting Hons in our temporary labs. Now an experienced research assistant eying for opportunities in industry.

PhD student (2023-), Hons (2022) and volunteer (2021). Co-supervised by Sandro with a keen interest on developing antibiotic leads. Currently working on developing small- and medium-sized inhibitors against two bacterial target proteins. Has already won two prizes on her project!

PhD student (2023-) and Hons (2022) hibernating for a year from lab work to do Graduate Medicine Year 1. Co-supervised by David and Jeremy and team at the Chris O’brien Lifehouse. Into all things French. Loves life on the fast lane and cloning and microscopy. Currently working to engineer hydrohobins for biocompatible and antibacterial coating for bone implants.

PhD student (2024-) via MSc at Cairo University and co-supervised by Sandro. Computational structural biologist in training with a keen interest in developing antimicrobial leads via docking and simulation approaches. Currently working on developing a pipeline for triaging and classifying RNA-binding proteins, their binding modes and ligands, as well as simulations and modeling of various protein/DNA/RNA complexes.

PhD student (2024-) and volunteer (2023). Co-supervised by A/Prof Jinlong Gao (Westmead Dental School) with a keen interest on fighting chronic periodontal disease. Discovered that she has a passion for research and decided to embark on a PhD after Hons in UNSW and two other science jobs. An amazing baker and makes the best biscotti biscuits.

PhD student (2025-) via MSc at University of Columbia. The first full-time bioinformatician in the lab and keen to apply her skills in omics to find new ways to kill bacteria and cancer cells. Already made good use of her expertise by settling a lingering debate between two former lab members. Manages stress by either baking it away in the kitchen or walking it off. Hopefully won’t see too many of her baked goods nor photos from extended hiking trips in the coming years. Excluding during festivities and holidays, of course!

Dalyell project student (2025) and Hons (2026). Currently investigating how our newly developed antimicrobial lead molecule kills bacteria, blending experimental approaches with some serious data analysis. Exceptionally strong in German and an equally amazing seamstress who sometimes sew her clothes. Hopefully can be convinced to stay in science despite her wide range of career options.

Volunteer (2026-) and Denison summer scholar (2025-26). Interested in novel drug and therapeutic development through gene technology, as well as characterising and targeting proteins. In the lab, she is our resident sizing queen, keeping close tabs on protein size distributions. Outside the lab, she has been dancing hip hop and enjoys pilates and long walks. Despite her excellent sense of rhythm and balance at the bench, bike riding remains her greatest adversary.

Undergraduate volunteer (2025-). Co-supervised by Jameel, Ellie works on AI-assisted drug discovery. Particularly interested in how machine learning approaches can be applied to solve complex problems in biology. Known for her bright, smiley energy, and much like an AI model, Ellie has a habit of analysing every decision from every possible angle and still not know what to pick!

Undergraduate volunteer (2025–). Co‑supervised by Jameel, Ryan works on AI‑assisted drug discovery, bringing a strong computer science background to the project. He is particularly interested in building robust, reliable computational tools for biological discovery. A realist at heart, he jokes that he prays for only two miracles: successful experiments in the lab and code that runs perfectly on the first try — definitely an ambitious and worthwhile challenge.

Undergraduate volunteer (2026-). Has a not-so-secret passion for NMR spectroscopy and interested in studying metal binding in proteins. A multi-talented musician who enjoys singing, playing piano and guitar, and composing her own songs and instrumental pieces! Whether in music or NMR, Sylvia has a natural appreciation for well‑crafted sequences and good timing.

Sydney Analytical Drug Discovery Node Facility Manager and honorary lab affiliate. When not stuck in meetings or doing admin things, she is a FBDD and SPR queen. Apart from good science, has won many knitting awards including from The Royal Easter Show and the Canberra Show. Loves cats and penguins.

PhD student with Yu Heng and Sandro, honorary lab affiliate (2024-), Internship student (2016-7) and research assistant (2017-23). Was so good that he was recruited by another group leader with a big promotion. Multi-talented from being protein tamer, scheduler and lab webmaster to 3D-printing expert, secret painter and violinist. Obviously insanely busy and productive. Pro expert host of Dungeons and Dragons - check out the D&D photos!