Professor Craig Williams
Professor

Craig Williams

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 53530

Background

Craig M. Williams was born in Adelaide, Australia. He received his B.Sc. (Hons) degree in chemistry in 1994 from Flinders University. In 1997, he was awarded his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the same institution under the supervision of Professor Rolf H. Prager. He undertook post-doctoral studies as an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow working with Professor Armin de Meijere at the Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany, from 1997 to 1999. In early 1999, he accepted a second post-doctoral fellowship at the Australian National University with Professor Lewis N. Mander.

Professor Williams has held an academic position at the University of Queensland since 2000, and during this time has won a number of awards including a Thieme Chemistry Journals Award in 2007, an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship award in 2011, and the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Research (SCMB, UQ, 2019). The Williams research group explores numerous interests within the discipline of organic chemistry (e.g. medicinal chemistry, fundamental molecules, natural productisolation, microelectronics, drug and agrichemical development, impact sensitive molecules) enabled by organic synthesis refined through the construction of biologically active complex natural products (diterpenes, polyketides, alkaloids), and designs synthetic methodology to assist in this endeavour (synthetic transformations and reagents). Professor Williams especially enjoys teaching whole molecule retrosynthesis to undergraduate and post-graduate students.

Availability

Professor Craig Williams is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Medicinal and biomolecular chemistry Organic chemistry

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Flinders University

Research impacts

He has published more than 170 scientific papers, patents, review articles and book chapters that have been cited over 2700 times. Since starting his independent career in mid 2000 CMW has attracted substantial research funding as a sole investigator through fundamental and applied research and associated industry engagement (UQ, ARC, NHMRC, DPIF, CSIRO, DAAD, BioTech). Professor Williams has supervised over 120 young researchers to date. H-Index=28.

Search Professor Craig Williams’s works on UQ eSpace

240 works between 1995 and 2025
All (240) Journal Article (225) Book Chapter (5) Conference Publication (6) Other Outputs (4)

21 - 40 of 240 works

2023

Journal Article

Crystal structure of the commercial herbicide, amidosulfuron, in complex with Arabidopsis thaliana acetohydroxyacid synthase

Cheng, Yan, Lonhienne, Thierry, Garcia, Mario. D., Williams, Craig M., Schenk, Gerard and Guddat, Luke W. (2023). Crystal structure of the commercial herbicide, amidosulfuron, in complex with Arabidopsis thaliana acetohydroxyacid synthase. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 71 (13), 5117-5126. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c08528

Crystal structure of the commercial herbicide, amidosulfuron, in complex with Arabidopsis thaliana acetohydroxyacid synthase

2023

Journal Article

Kinetico-mechanistic studies on a reactive organocopper(II) complex: Cu–C bond homolysis versus heterolysis

Gonzálvez, Miguel A., Williams, Craig M., Martínez, Manuel and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2023). Kinetico-mechanistic studies on a reactive organocopper(II) complex: Cu–C bond homolysis versus heterolysis. Inorganic Chemistry, 62 (11), 4662-4671. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c00127

Kinetico-mechanistic studies on a reactive organocopper(II) complex: Cu–C bond homolysis versus heterolysis

2023

Journal Article

Multitargeted opioid ligand discovery as a strategy to retain analgesia and reduce opioid-related adverse effects

Smith, Maree T., Kong, Dehui, Kuo, Andy, Imam, Mohammad Z. and Williams, Craig M. (2023). Multitargeted opioid ligand discovery as a strategy to retain analgesia and reduce opioid-related adverse effects. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 66 (6), 3746-3784. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01695

Multitargeted opioid ligand discovery as a strategy to retain analgesia and reduce opioid-related adverse effects

2023

Journal Article

seco-pregnane glycosides from Australian caustic vine (Cynanchum viminale subsp. australe)

Xue, Yongbo, Savchenko, Andrei I., Agnew-Francis, Kylie A., Miles, Jared A., Holt, Tina, Lu, Hieng, Chow, Sharon, Forster, Paul I., Boyle, Glen M., Ross, Benjamin P., Fischer, Katja, Kutateladze, Andrei G. and Williams, Craig M. (2023). seco-pregnane glycosides from Australian caustic vine (Cynanchum viminale subsp. australe). Journal of Natural Products, 86 (3), 490-497. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.2c01037

seco-pregnane glycosides from Australian caustic vine (Cynanchum viminale subsp. australe)

2023

Journal Article

A genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screen identifies FSP1 as the warfarin-resistant vitamin K reductase

Jin, Da-Yun, Chen, Xuejie, Liu, Yizhou, Williams, Craig M., Pedersen, Lars C., Stafford, Darrel W. and Tie, Jian-Ke (2023). A genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screen identifies FSP1 as the warfarin-resistant vitamin K reductase. Nature Communications, 14 (1) 828, 1-14. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-36446-8

A genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screen identifies FSP1 as the warfarin-resistant vitamin K reductase

2023

Journal Article

Structural Reassignment of Two Polyenol Natural Products

Kutateladze, Andrei G., Bates, Roderick W., Elyashberg, Mikhail and Williams, Craig M. (2023). Structural Reassignment of Two Polyenol Natural Products. European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 26 (9) e202201316. doi: 10.1002/ejoc.202201316

Structural Reassignment of Two Polyenol Natural Products

2023

Journal Article

Chiral auxiliary-directed site-selective deprotonation of the cubane skeleton

Takebe, Hiyori, Yoshino, Nana, Shimada, Yukako, Williams, Craig M. and Matsubara, Seijiro (2023). Chiral auxiliary-directed site-selective deprotonation of the cubane skeleton. Organic Letters, 25 (1), 27-30. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.2c03659

Chiral auxiliary-directed site-selective deprotonation of the cubane skeleton

2022

Journal Article

Unearthing the subtleties of rhodium(II)-catalyzed carbenoid cycloadditions to furans with an N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazole probe

Bettencourt, Christian J., Krainz, Tanja, Chow, Sharon, Parr, Brendan T., Tracy, William F., Bernhardt, Paul V., Davies, Huw M. L. and Williams, Craig M. (2022). Unearthing the subtleties of rhodium(II)-catalyzed carbenoid cycloadditions to furans with an N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazole probe. Organic Letters, 24 (50), 9290-9295. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.2c03869

Unearthing the subtleties of rhodium(II)-catalyzed carbenoid cycloadditions to furans with an N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazole probe

2022

Journal Article

Structural basis of resistance to herbicides that target acetohydroxyacid synthase

Lonhienne, Thierry, Cheng, Yan, Garcia, Mario D., Hu, Shu Hong, Low, Yu Shang, Schenk, Gerhard, Williams, Craig M. and Guddat, Luke W. (2022). Structural basis of resistance to herbicides that target acetohydroxyacid synthase. Nature Communications, 13 (1) 3368, 3368. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-31023-x

Structural basis of resistance to herbicides that target acetohydroxyacid synthase

2022

Journal Article

Wasabi (Eutrema japonicum) reduces obesity and blood pressure in diet-induced metabolic syndrome in rats

Thomaz, Fernanda Santos, Tan, Yuen P., Williams, Craig M., Ward, Leigh C., Worrall, Simon and Panchal, Sunil K. (2022). Wasabi (Eutrema japonicum) reduces obesity and blood pressure in diet-induced metabolic syndrome in rats. Foods, 11 (21) 3435, 1-12. doi: 10.3390/foods11213435

Wasabi (Eutrema japonicum) reduces obesity and blood pressure in diet-induced metabolic syndrome in rats

2022

Journal Article

Reassignment of improbable natural products identified through chemical principle screening

Elyashberg, Mikhail, Novitskiy, Ivan M., Bates, Roderick W., Kutateladze, Andrei G. and Williams, Craig M. (2022). Reassignment of improbable natural products identified through chemical principle screening. European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2022 (34) e202200572, 1-9. doi: 10.1002/ejoc.202200572

Reassignment of improbable natural products identified through chemical principle screening

2022

Journal Article

Design, synthesis and evaluation of alpha lipoic acid derivatives to treat multiple sclerosis-associated central neuropathic pain

Kong, Dehui, Saqer, Alaa A., Carpinelli de Jesus, Matheus, Khan, Nemat, Jones, Alun, Blanchfield, Joanne T., Smith, Maree T. and Williams, Craig M. (2022). Design, synthesis and evaluation of alpha lipoic acid derivatives to treat multiple sclerosis-associated central neuropathic pain. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, 69 116889, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.116889

Design, synthesis and evaluation of alpha lipoic acid derivatives to treat multiple sclerosis-associated central neuropathic pain

2022

Journal Article

Photochemical generation of the 2-azabicyclo[4.2.0]octa-4,7-diene skeleton

Fahrenhorst-Jones, Tyler, Savage, G. Paul and Williams, Craig M. (2022). Photochemical generation of the 2-azabicyclo[4.2.0]octa-4,7-diene skeleton. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 75 (11), 884-887. doi: 10.1071/ch22139

Photochemical generation of the 2-azabicyclo[4.2.0]octa-4,7-diene skeleton

2022

Journal Article

Genome-guided analysis of seven weed species reveals conserved sequence and structural features of key gene targets for herbicide development

Shah, Sarah, Lonhienne, Thierry, Murray, Cody-Ellen, Chen, Yibi, Dougan, Katherine E., Low, Yu Shang, Williams, Craig M., Schenk, Gerhard, Walter, Gimme H., Guddat, Luke W. and Chan, Cheong Xin (2022). Genome-guided analysis of seven weed species reveals conserved sequence and structural features of key gene targets for herbicide development. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13 909073. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2022.909073

Genome-guided analysis of seven weed species reveals conserved sequence and structural features of key gene targets for herbicide development

2022

Other Outputs

Genomic resources of seven Australian weed species of national significance

Shah, Sarah, Lonhienne, Thierry, Murray, Cody-Ellen, Chen, Yibi, Dougan, Katherine E., Low, Yu Shang, Williams, Craig M., Schenk, Gerhard, Walter, Gimme H., Guddat, Luke W. and Chan, Cheong Xin (2022). Genomic resources of seven Australian weed species of national significance. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/c22c10c

Genomic resources of seven Australian weed species of national significance

2022

Journal Article

Toward the total synthesis of alpkinidine: synthesis of haloquinone CE ring system synthons and attempted nucleophilic bisannulation

Buccini, Marco, Tham, Louisa, Dhoro, Francis, Skelton, Brian W., Williams, Craig M. and Piggott, Matthew J. (2022). Toward the total synthesis of alpkinidine: synthesis of haloquinone CE ring system synthons and attempted nucleophilic bisannulation. ACS Omega, 7 (23), 19080-19092. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.2c02116

Toward the total synthesis of alpkinidine: synthesis of haloquinone CE ring system synthons and attempted nucleophilic bisannulation

2022

Journal Article

Toward the total synthesis of alpkinidine: Michael addition to isoquinolinetrione CE ring-system synthons

Buccini, Marco, Dhoro, Francis, Tham, Louisa, Skelton, Brian W., Williams, Craig M. and Piggott, Matthew J. (2022). Toward the total synthesis of alpkinidine: Michael addition to isoquinolinetrione CE ring-system synthons. ACS Omega, 7 (23), 19093-19105. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.2c02117

Toward the total synthesis of alpkinidine: Michael addition to isoquinolinetrione CE ring-system synthons

2022

Journal Article

Naturally occurring UBIAD1 mutations differentially affect menaquinone biosynthesis and vitamin K‐dependent carboxylation

Chen, Xuejie, Furukawa, Natsuko, Jin, Da‐Yun, Liu, Yizhou, Stafford, Darrel W., Williams, Craig M., Suhara, Yoshitomo and Tie, Jian‐Ke (2022). Naturally occurring UBIAD1 mutations differentially affect menaquinone biosynthesis and vitamin K‐dependent carboxylation. The FEBS Journal, 289 (9), 2613-2627. doi: 10.1111/febs.16291

Naturally occurring UBIAD1 mutations differentially affect menaquinone biosynthesis and vitamin K‐dependent carboxylation

2022

Journal Article

The (±)-6-Aza[1.0]triblattane skeleton: contraction beyond the Wilder–Culberson ring system

Fahrenhorst-Jones, Tyler, Bernhardt, Paul V., Savage, G. Paul and Williams, Craig M. (2022). The (±)-6-Aza[1.0]triblattane skeleton: contraction beyond the Wilder–Culberson ring system. Organic Letters, 24 (3) acs.orglett.1c04240, 903-906. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.1c04240

The (±)-6-Aza[1.0]triblattane skeleton: contraction beyond the Wilder–Culberson ring system

2022

Journal Article

Analgesic opioid ligand discovery based on nonmorphinan scaffolds derived from natural sources

Smith, Maree T., Kong, Dehui, Kuo, Andy, Imam, Mohammad Z. and Williams, Craig M. (2022). Analgesic opioid ligand discovery based on nonmorphinan scaffolds derived from natural sources. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 65 (3) acs.jmedchem.0c01915, 1612-1661. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01915

Analgesic opioid ligand discovery based on nonmorphinan scaffolds derived from natural sources

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2027
    Evolving the nitrogen-nitrogen three electron bond as a technology enabler
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    Emergent organocopper complexes as robust catalysts for electrosynthesis
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Cryo-EM inspired drug discovery to treat human fungal pathogenic infections
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2024
    Pioneering stable copper carbanions for new C-C bond forming paradigms
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Modulation of the Gastrointestinal Microbiome with probiotics and subsequent Methane production as a novel approach to treat constipation: A Proof of Principle Study (TRI Sport Grant led by PAH)
    Metro South Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Herbicide discovery for Australian WONS based on developments in the bioisostere concept - Phase 2
    Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
    Open grant
  • 2019
    A Gas Chromatography-High Resolution Accurate Mass Spectrometry Facility
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2019
    A versatile accurate mass, high resolution QTOF mass spectrometer for chemistry and proteomic applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Novel Drugs to Reduce the Human Scabies Burden (NHMRC Project Grant led by The Council of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research)
    Queensland Institute of Medical Research
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Chemical Building Block Size Principles for Discovery Chemists
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Gas chromatography: Separating inseparables, identifying unidentifiables (ARC LIEF grant administered by Monash University)
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Feeding behaviour of Soldier fly (Inopus rubriceps (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)) larvae and the effects on sugar cane
    Sugar Research Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Herbicide Discovery for Australian WONS Based on Developments in the Bioisostere Concept
    Commonwealth Department of Social Services
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    A nuclear magnetic resonance facility for modern molecular analysis
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Integrative blood coagulation research core facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Novel Pain therapeutics discovery: Probing molecular mechanisms
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    Pioneering new oxidation catalysis paradigms for organic synthesis
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    Structure elucidation and spectroscopic analysis
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Structure elucidation and spectroscopic analysis - B
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Advanced applications of bromine based chemistry
    Bromine Compounds Limited
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Acetohydroxyacid synthase: A new drug target for human fungal pathogens
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Novel analgesics for improved relief of cancer induced bone pain
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - Seed Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Novel analgesics for improved treatment of chronic cancer pain
    Queensland Emory Development Alliance
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Chemically Re-Engineering Bioactive Natural Products using Fragment Based Drug Design
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2016
    Developing a paradigm shift in new pharmaceutical and agrochemical design
    ARC Future Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Linking Chemical Synthesis with Protein Discovery to Reveal Key Biological Pathways
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Analytical and preparative enantioselective chromatography
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    An X-Ray Diffraction Facility for Molecular Structure Determination
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Neurotrophic Active Natural Products: Total Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Neovibsanins A and B, and Analogues
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2006
    ESEG_Australian Microbial Biodiscovery: Exploration of Bioactive Chemical Space
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 2004
    Synthesis And Pharmacological Evaluation Of Strong Opioid Analgesics With Improved Side-Effect Profiles
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004
    Targeted Synthesis of Bioactive Molecules- General Principles for Developing 'Designer' Biocides
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004
    The Insect-Plant Chemical Ecology Network (IPCEN)
    ARC Seed Funding for Research Networks
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    Management of postharvest diseases of subtropical and tropical fruit using their natural resistance mechanisms
    Queensland Department Primary Industries
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    Characterisation of Antifungal Compounds in Australian Mango Cultivars
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2003
    Unprecedented Alkaloid Hybrids that Selectively Modulate Various Cancers and the Central Nervous System
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2005
    Virtual Screening In Structure-Based Drug Design For Malaria
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2002
    Bicyclononanolides - A biological activityplothora in Queensland's backyard
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2001
    The synthesis of stroke injury blockers
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Craig Williams is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The synthesis of strained chemical building blocks as technology enablers

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Discovery of New Herbicides

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Luke Guddat

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of innovative synthetic methodologies: electrochemical Atom Transfer Radical Addition (eATRA) and strained nitrogen ring synthesis paradigms

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Paul Bernhardt

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Pioneering stable copper carbanions for new C-C bond forming paradigms

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Paul Bernhardt

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Developing novel copper catalysts for carbon-carbon bond forming reactions using electrosynthesis.

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Masnun Naher, Professor Paul Bernhardt

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Synthesis of inhibitors and probes for heparan sulfate degrading enzymes

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Vito Ferro

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Developing next generation green herbicides

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Luke Guddat

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Cryo-EM inspired antifungal drug discovery

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Gary Schenk, Professor Luke Guddat

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Synthesis and applications of glycosaminoglycan mimetics

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Vito Ferro

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Microbial manufacturing of plant saponin-inspired vaccine adjuvants

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor James De Voss

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Cryo-EM inspired antifungal drug discovery

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Gary Schenk, Professor Luke Guddat

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of new chemical tools for probing glycosaminoglycan-dependent cellular processes

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Vito Ferro

Completed supervision

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Professor Craig Williams's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au