Dr. David Evans Originally from Sydney, Dave completed BSc(hons) (2001) in Townsville and graduated with a PhD from Monash in 2005. The intervening years between secondary and tertiary studies were invested in the Australian Army repairing helicopters, with stints in the US and PNG. Chemistry: CHEMISTRY: Dave pie-hands dabbles with [MoOS] analogues, oxo-carbonyl and organometallic complexes, and re-investigating tungsten-carbonyl complexes with halide ligands. He also acts as group crystallographer and cupboard-door closer. Email: devans@unimelb.edu.au

 

Dr. Michelle Taylor Recently arriving on a prevailing breeze, Michelle hails from Yorkshire, England. After completing undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the Univeristy of Strathclyde in Glasgow, including two industrial placements in London and California, she took up a postdoc position with the group. Chemistry: Michelle begins her tenure by re-investigating the mysteries surrounding mixed valence vanadium dimers. Only the tip of the iceberg, she has since moved into the lofty domain of oxomolybdenum hydroxo/aqua complexes stabilised through hydrogen bonding from a co-ligand. Email: taylor@unimelb.edu.au

 

Stephen Sproules   He joined the Young Ones in 2000, beginning with 3rd year project chemistry, and progressing with honours (2001) to began a PhD in the following year. One of the more cantankerous members of the group, his chemistry has sent him around the globe taking a capacious number of photos. During the spare hours between chemistry and sleeping, Stephen enjoys netball and tennis, and ritualistically watching 'The Simpsons'. Chemistry:  Invited to work for a few hours per week during 3rd year, Charles has never quite been able to get rid of him. Now knee-deep (4th year) into a PhD, his work revolves around synthesis of new monodithiolene complexes of molybdenum and tungsten through alkyne melding and metathesis reactions. Spectroscopic characterisation will warrant a full electronic description of these compounds, relevant to enzyme active sites. Email: s.sproules@pgrad.unimelb.edu.au

 

Craig Gourlay Appearing unassumingly three-years ago, Craig has ascended from 399 project student to PhD in that time. Now the group’s ‘golden child, he divides his time between chemistry, fencing and breaking glassware. Chemistry: He achieved immortal status recently with the crystallisation of the first Mo-S-Cu model complex. His research centres on [MoOS] and [MoSCu] synthetic models with various co-ligands. Collaboration with New Mexico have facilitated electronic description of the model complexes providing new insights into this unique molybdenum-copper enzyme. Email: c.gourlay@pgrad.unimelb.edu.au