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)

121 - 140 of 240 works

2016

Journal Article

Adamantane: the heavy weight in catalysis

Agnew-Francis, Kylie and Williams, Craig M. (2016). Adamantane: the heavy weight in catalysis. Advanced Synthesis and Catalysis, 358 (5), 673-673. doi: 10.1002/adsc.201501018

Adamantane: the heavy weight in catalysis

2016

Journal Article

Validating Eaton's hypothesis: cubane as a benzene bioisostere

Chalmers, Benjamin A., Xing, Hui, Houston, Sevan, Clark, Charlotte, Ghassabian, Sussan, Kuo, Andy, Cao, Benjamin, Reitsma, Andrea, Murray, Cody-Ellen P., Stok, Jeanette E., Boyle, Glen M., Pierce, Carly J., Littler, Stuart W., Winkler, David A., Bernhardt, Paul V., Pasay, Cielo, De Voss, James J., McCarthy, James, Parsons, Peter G., Walter, Gimme H., Smith, Maree T., Cooper, Helen M., Nilsson, Susan K., Tsanaktsidis, John, Savage, G. Paul and Williams, Craig M. (2016). Validating Eaton's hypothesis: cubane as a benzene bioisostere. Angewandte Chemie (International Edition), 55 (11), 3580-3585. doi: 10.1002/anie.201510675

Validating Eaton's hypothesis: cubane as a benzene bioisostere

2016

Journal Article

Commercial Herbicides Can Trigger the Oxidative Inactivation of Acetohydroxyacid Synthase

Lonhienne, Thierry, Nouwens, Amanda, Williams, Craig M., Fraser, James A., Lee, Yu-Ting, West, Nicholas P. and Guddat, Luke W. (2016). Commercial Herbicides Can Trigger the Oxidative Inactivation of Acetohydroxyacid Synthase. Angewandte Chemie - International Edition, 55 (13), 4247-4251. doi: 10.1002/anie.201511985

Commercial Herbicides Can Trigger the Oxidative Inactivation of Acetohydroxyacid Synthase

2016

Journal Article

ChemInform Abstract: N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethylenediamine Dioxide (TMEDAO2) Facilitates Atom Economical/Open Atmosphere Ley-Griffith (TPAP) Tandem Oxidation-Wittig Reactions

Read, Christopher D. G., Moore, Peter W. and Williams, Craig M. (2016). ChemInform Abstract: N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethylenediamine Dioxide (TMEDAO2) Facilitates Atom Economical/Open Atmosphere Ley-Griffith (TPAP) Tandem Oxidation-Wittig Reactions. ChemInform, 47 (5), no-no. doi: 10.1002/chin.201605041

ChemInform Abstract: N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethylenediamine Dioxide (TMEDAO2) Facilitates Atom Economical/Open Atmosphere Ley-Griffith (TPAP) Tandem Oxidation-Wittig Reactions

2016

Journal Article

N-Oxides rescue Ru(v) in catalytic Griffith-Ley (TPAP) alcohol oxidations

Zerk, Timothy J., Moore, Peter W., Williams, Craig M. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2016). N-Oxides rescue Ru(v) in catalytic Griffith-Ley (TPAP) alcohol oxidations. Chemical Communications, 52 (67), 10301-10304. doi: 10.1039/C6CC05440D

N-Oxides rescue Ru(v) in catalytic Griffith-Ley (TPAP) alcohol oxidations

2016

Other Outputs

Olefin strain energy as a predictor of isolability

Krenske, Elizabeth H. and Williams, Craig M. (2016). Olefin strain energy as a predictor of isolability. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.14264/uql.2016.208

Olefin strain energy as a predictor of isolability

2015

Journal Article

Rhodium-Catalyzed [4+3] Cycloaddition to Furans: Direct Access to Functionalized Bicyclo[5.3.0]decane Derivatives

Krainz, Tanja, Chow, Sharon, Korica, Natasa, Bernhardt, Paul V., Boyle, Glen M., Parsons, Peter G., Davies, Huw M. L. and Williams, Craig M. (2015). Rhodium-Catalyzed [4+3] Cycloaddition to Furans: Direct Access to Functionalized Bicyclo[5.3.0]decane Derivatives. European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2016 (1), 41-44. doi: 10.1002/ejoc.201501271

Rhodium-Catalyzed [4+3] Cycloaddition to Furans: Direct Access to Functionalized Bicyclo[5.3.0]decane Derivatives

2015

Journal Article

Do anti-Bredt natural products exist? Olefin strain energy as a predictor of isolability

Krenske, Elizabeth H. and Williams, Craig M. (2015). Do anti-Bredt natural products exist? Olefin strain energy as a predictor of isolability. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 54 (36), 10608-10612. doi: 10.1002/anie.201503822

Do anti-Bredt natural products exist? Olefin strain energy as a predictor of isolability

2015

Journal Article

N,N,N’,N’-Tetramethylenediamine dioxide (TMEDAO2) facilitates atom economical/open atmosphere Ley–Griffith (TPAP) tandem oxidation-Wittig reactions

Read, Christopher D. G., Peter W. Moore and Williams, Craig M. (2015). N,N,N’,N’-Tetramethylenediamine dioxide (TMEDAO2) facilitates atom economical/open atmosphere Ley–Griffith (TPAP) tandem oxidation-Wittig reactions. Green Chemistry, 17 (9), 4537-4540. doi: 10.1039/C5GC01346A

N,N,N’,N’-Tetramethylenediamine dioxide (TMEDAO2) facilitates atom economical/open atmosphere Ley–Griffith (TPAP) tandem oxidation-Wittig reactions

2015

Journal Article

Pharmaceuticals that contain polycyclic hydrocarbon scaffolds

Stockdale, Tegan P. and Williams, Craig M. (2015). Pharmaceuticals that contain polycyclic hydrocarbon scaffolds. Chemical Society Reviews, 44 (21), 7737-7763. doi: 10.1039/C4CS00477A

Pharmaceuticals that contain polycyclic hydrocarbon scaffolds

2015

Journal Article

ChemInform Abstract: NMO·TPB: A Selectivity Variation on the Ley-Griffith TPAP Oxidation

Moore, Peter W., Mirzayans, Paul M. and Williams, Craig M. (2015). ChemInform Abstract: NMO·TPB: A Selectivity Variation on the Ley-Griffith TPAP Oxidation. ChemInform, 46 (29), no-no. doi: 10.1002/chin.201529041

ChemInform Abstract: NMO·TPB: A Selectivity Variation on the Ley-Griffith TPAP Oxidation

2015

Journal Article

The Furoxan Nitric Oxide Donor, PRG150, Evokes Dose-Dependent Analgesia in a Rat Model of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy (PDN)

Huang, Lillian Y., Tsui, Debbie Y., Williams, Craig M., Wyse, Bruce D. and Smith, Maree T. (2015). The Furoxan Nitric Oxide Donor, PRG150, Evokes Dose-Dependent Analgesia in a Rat Model of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy (PDN). Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 42 (9), 921-929. doi: 10.1111/1440-1681.12442

The Furoxan Nitric Oxide Donor, PRG150, Evokes Dose-Dependent Analgesia in a Rat Model of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy (PDN)

2015

Journal Article

NMO TPB: a selectivity variation on the Ley–Griffith TPAP oxidation

Moore, Peter W., Mirzayans, Paul M. and Williams, Craig M. (2015). NMO TPB: a selectivity variation on the Ley–Griffith TPAP oxidation. Chemistry - A European Journal, 21 (9), 3567-3571. doi: 10.1002/chem.201406256

NMO TPB: a selectivity variation on the Ley–Griffith TPAP oxidation

2015

Journal Article

EBC-316, 325-327, and 345: new pimarane diterpenes from Croton insularis found in the Australian rainforest

Maslovskaya, Lidia A., Savchenko, Andrei I., Gordon, Victoria A., Reddell, Paul W., Pierce, Carly J., Parsons, Peter G. and Williams, Craig M. (2015). EBC-316, 325-327, and 345: new pimarane diterpenes from Croton insularis found in the Australian rainforest. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 68 (4), 652-659. doi: 10.1071/CH14550

EBC-316, 325-327, and 345: new pimarane diterpenes from Croton insularis found in the Australian rainforest

2014

Journal Article

Natural Products with Anti-Bredt and Bridgehead Double Bonds

Mak, Jeffrey Y. W., Pouwer, Rebecca H. and Williams, Craig M. (2014). Natural Products with Anti-Bredt and Bridgehead Double Bonds. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 53 (50), 13664-13688. doi: 10.1002/anie.201400932

Natural Products with Anti-Bredt and Bridgehead Double Bonds

2014

Journal Article

Unprecedented 1,14-seco-Crotofolanes from Croton insularis: oxidative cleavage of crotofolin C by a putative homo-Baeyer–Villiger rearrangement

Maslovskaya, Lidiya A., Savchenko, Andrei I., Pierce, Carly J., Gordon, Victoria A., Reddell, Paul W., Parsons, Peter G. and Williams, Craig M. (2014). Unprecedented 1,14-seco-Crotofolanes from Croton insularis: oxidative cleavage of crotofolin C by a putative homo-Baeyer–Villiger rearrangement. Chemistry: A European Journal, 20 (44), 14226-14230. doi: 10.1002/chem.201404250

Unprecedented 1,14-seco-Crotofolanes from Croton insularis: oxidative cleavage of crotofolin C by a putative homo-Baeyer–Villiger rearrangement

2014

Journal Article

Croton insularis introduces the seco-casbane class with EBC-329 and the first casbane endoperoxide EBC-324

Maslovskaya, Lidiya A., Savchenko, Andrei I., Krenske, Elizabeth H., Gordon, Victoria A., Reddell, Paul W., Pierce, Carly J., Parsons, Peter G. and Williams, Craig M. (2014). Croton insularis introduces the seco-casbane class with EBC-329 and the first casbane endoperoxide EBC-324. Chemical Communications, 50 (82), 12315-12317. doi: 10.1039/C4CC05413J

Croton insularis introduces the seco-casbane class with EBC-329 and the first casbane endoperoxide EBC-324

2014

Journal Article

EBC-219: A new diterpene skeleton, crotinsulidane, from the Australian rainforest containing a bridgehead double bond

Maslovskaya, Lidiya A., Savchenko, Andrei I., Krenske, Elizabeth H., Pierce, Carly J., Gordon, Victoria A., Reddell, Paul W., Parsons, Peter G. and Williams, Craig M. (2014). EBC-219: A new diterpene skeleton, crotinsulidane, from the Australian rainforest containing a bridgehead double bond. Angewandte Chemie - International Edition, 53 (27), 7006-7009. doi: 10.1002/anie.201310923

EBC-219: A new diterpene skeleton, crotinsulidane, from the Australian rainforest containing a bridgehead double bond

2014

Journal Article

Mechanistic aspects of the lycopodine Michael-Claisen domino cyclization

Eger, Wilhelm A., Anders, Ernst and Williams, Craig M. (2014). Mechanistic aspects of the lycopodine Michael-Claisen domino cyclization. Journal of Molecular Modeling, 20 (Online First) (4) 2173, 2173.1-2173.8. doi: 10.1007/s00894-014-2173-0

Mechanistic aspects of the lycopodine Michael-Claisen domino cyclization

2014

Journal Article

6th Heron Island conference on reactive intermediates and unusual molecules

Wentrup, Curt and Williams, Craig (2014). 6th Heron Island conference on reactive intermediates and unusual molecules. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 67 (3), 317-319. doi: 10.1071/CH14041

6th Heron Island conference on reactive intermediates and unusual molecules

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

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Discovery of New Herbicides

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Luke Guddat

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The synthesis of strained chemical building blocks as technology enablers

    Principal Advisor

  • 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 hyperstable alkenes as liquid organic hydrogen carriers

    Principal Advisor

  • 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

  • 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

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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