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)

141 - 160 of 240 works

2014

Book Chapter

Sleepless nights: The total synthesis of the anticancer australian rainforest polyketide EBC-23

Williams, Craig M. (2014). Sleepless nights: The total synthesis of the anticancer australian rainforest polyketide EBC-23. Strategies and Tactics in Organic Synthesis. (pp. 249-270) edited by Michael Harmata. Maryland Heights, MO United States: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-417185-5.00011-9

Sleepless nights: The total synthesis of the anticancer australian rainforest polyketide EBC-23

2014

Journal Article

Nonstabilised azomethine ylids from n-oxides: unravelling the deprotonation of n-methylmorpholine n-oxide

Mirzayans, Paul Malek, Krenske, Elizabeth H. and Williams, Craig M. (2014). Nonstabilised azomethine ylids from n-oxides: unravelling the deprotonation of n-methylmorpholine n-oxide. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 67 (8-9), 1309-1317. doi: 10.1071/CH14217

Nonstabilised azomethine ylids from n-oxides: unravelling the deprotonation of n-methylmorpholine n-oxide

2013

Journal Article

The anti-Bredt red flag! Reassignment of neoveratrenone

Savchenko, Andrei I. and Williams, Craig M. (2013). The anti-Bredt red flag! Reassignment of neoveratrenone. European Journal of Organic Chemistry, Early View (32), 7263-7265. doi: 10.1002/ejoc.201301308

The anti-Bredt red flag! Reassignment of neoveratrenone

2013

Journal Article

sp-sp(3) Coupling reactions of alkynylsilver cations, RC (equivalent to) CAg2+ (R = Me and Ph) with allyliodide

Khairallah, George N., Williams, Craig M., Chow, Sharon and O'Hair, Richard A. J. (2013). sp-sp(3) Coupling reactions of alkynylsilver cations, RC (equivalent to) CAg2+ (R = Me and Ph) with allyliodide. Dalton Transactions, 42 (26), 9462-9467. doi: 10.1039/c2dt32143b

sp-sp(3) Coupling reactions of alkynylsilver cations, RC (equivalent to) CAg2+ (R = Me and Ph) with allyliodide

2013

Journal Article

Chloroform as a hydrogen atom donor in Barton reductive decarboxylation reactions

Ho, Junming, Zheng, Jingling, Meana-Pañeda, Rubén, Truhlar, Donald G., Ko, Eun Jung, Savage, G. Paul, Williams, Craig M., Coote, Michelle L. and Tsanaktsidis, John (2013). Chloroform as a hydrogen atom donor in Barton reductive decarboxylation reactions. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 78 (13), 6677-6687. doi: 10.1021/jo400927y

Chloroform as a hydrogen atom donor in Barton reductive decarboxylation reactions

2013

Journal Article

Photochemical synthesis of phenanthridines: exploring fluoro and protected catechol substitution

Linsenmeier, Anna M., Williams, Craig M. and Brase, Stefan (2013). Photochemical synthesis of phenanthridines: exploring fluoro and protected catechol substitution. European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 18 (18), 3847-3856. doi: 10.1002/ejoc.201300218

Photochemical synthesis of phenanthridines: exploring fluoro and protected catechol substitution

2013

Journal Article

CH and CC bond activation reactions in silver alkynyl cluster cations, RCCAg2+

Khairallah, George N., Saleeba, Kirsty A., Chow, Sharon, Eger, Wilhelm, Williams, Craig M. and O'Hair, Richard A. J. (2013). CH and CC bond activation reactions in silver alkynyl cluster cations, RCCAg2+. International Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 354-355, 229-234. doi: 10.1016/j.ijms.2013.07.010

CH and CC bond activation reactions in silver alkynyl cluster cations, RCCAg2+

2012

Journal Article

Erratum: Enantioselective total synthesis of ()-neovibsanin G and ()-14-epi-neovibsanin G (Chemical Communications (2012) (287-289) DOI: 10.1039/c1cc15995j))

Mak, Jeffrey Y. W. and Williams, Craig M. (2012). Erratum: Enantioselective total synthesis of ()-neovibsanin G and ()-14-epi-neovibsanin G (Chemical Communications (2012) (287-289) DOI: 10.1039/c1cc15995j)). Chemical Communications, 48 (100) doi: 10.1039/c2cc90426h

Erratum: Enantioselective total synthesis of ()-neovibsanin G and ()-14-epi-neovibsanin G (Chemical Communications (2012) (287-289) DOI: 10.1039/c1cc15995j))

2012

Journal Article

A combined DFT and NMR investigation of the zinc organometallic intermediate proposed in the syn-selective tandem chain extension-aldol reaction of β-keto esters

Aiken, Karelle S., Eger, Wilhelm A., Williams, Craig M., Spencer, Carley M. and Zercher, Charles K. (2012). A combined DFT and NMR investigation of the zinc organometallic intermediate proposed in the syn-selective tandem chain extension-aldol reaction of β-keto esters. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 77 (14), 5942-5955. doi: 10.1021/jo3004925

A combined DFT and NMR investigation of the zinc organometallic intermediate proposed in the syn-selective tandem chain extension-aldol reaction of β-keto esters

2012

Journal Article

Method in the madness - Methodology from total synthesis

Pouwer, Rebecca H. and Williams, Craig M. (2012). Method in the madness - Methodology from total synthesis. Synlett, 23 (10) ST-2011-A0782-A, 1446-1458. doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1290967

Method in the madness - Methodology from total synthesis

2012

Journal Article

Reductive Radical Decarboxylation of Aliphatic Carboxylic Acids

Ko, Eun Jung, Williams, Craig M., Savage, G. Paul and Tsanaktsidis, John (2012). Reductive Radical Decarboxylation of Aliphatic Carboxylic Acids. Organic Syntheses, 89, 471-479. doi: 10.15227/orgsyn.089.0471

Reductive Radical Decarboxylation of Aliphatic Carboxylic Acids

2012

Journal Article

Key achievements in the total synthesis of vibsane-type diterpenoids

Mak, Jeffrey Y. W. and Williams, Craig M. (2012). Key achievements in the total synthesis of vibsane-type diterpenoids. Natural Product Reports, 29 (4), 440-448. doi: 10.1039/c2np00067a

Key achievements in the total synthesis of vibsane-type diterpenoids

2012

Journal Article

Total synthesis of (-)-neovibsanin G and (-)-14-epi-neovibsanin G: Towards the synthesis of 15-O-methylneovibsanin F and 14-epi-15-O-methylneovibsanin F

Mak, Jeffrey Y. W. and Williams, Craig M. (2012). Total synthesis of (-)-neovibsanin G and (-)-14-epi-neovibsanin G: Towards the synthesis of 15-O-methylneovibsanin F and 14-epi-15-O-methylneovibsanin F. European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2012 (10), 2001-2012. doi: 10.1002/ejoc.201101796

Total synthesis of (-)-neovibsanin G and (-)-14-epi-neovibsanin G: Towards the synthesis of 15-O-methylneovibsanin F and 14-epi-15-O-methylneovibsanin F

2012

Conference Publication

Rapid and convenient synthesis of phenanthridine derivatives

Linsenmeier, Anna M., Williams, Craig M. and Braese, Stefan (2012). Rapid and convenient synthesis of phenanthridine derivatives. 243rd National Spring Meeting of the American-Chemical-Society, San Diego Ca, Mar 25-29, 2012. WASHINGTON: AMER CHEMICAL SOC.

Rapid and convenient synthesis of phenanthridine derivatives

2012

Journal Article

Stereocontrolled Synthesis of the cis-Hydroxydecalin System: Towards Biologically Active 19-nor-Clerodanes

Mirzayans, Paul Malek, Pouwer, Rebecca H., Williams, Craig M. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2012). Stereocontrolled Synthesis of the cis-Hydroxydecalin System: Towards Biologically Active 19-nor-Clerodanes. European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 8 (8), 1633-1638. doi: 10.1002/ejoc.201101807

Stereocontrolled Synthesis of the cis-Hydroxydecalin System: Towards Biologically Active 19-nor-Clerodanes

2012

Journal Article

Enantioselective total synthesis of the mexicanolides: khayasin, proceranolide, and mexicanolide

Faber, Jonathan M., Eger, Wilhelm A. and Williams, Craig M. (2012). Enantioselective total synthesis of the mexicanolides: khayasin, proceranolide, and mexicanolide. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 77 (20), 8913-8921. doi: 10.1021/jo301182f

Enantioselective total synthesis of the mexicanolides: khayasin, proceranolide, and mexicanolide

2012

Journal Article

Enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-neovibsanin G and (-)-14-epi-neovibsanin G

Mak, Jeffrey Y.W. and Williams, Craig M. (2012). Enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-neovibsanin G and (-)-14-epi-neovibsanin G. Chemical Communications, 48 (2), 287-289. doi: 10.1039/c1cc15995j

Enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-neovibsanin G and (-)-14-epi-neovibsanin G

2012

Book Chapter

The story behind the total synthesis of Vibsanin E and 5-epi-Vibsanin E

Williams, Craig M. (2012). The story behind the total synthesis of Vibsanin E and 5-epi-Vibsanin E. Strategies and tactics in organic synthesis. (pp. 395-412) edited by M. Harmata. San Diego, CA, United States: Academic Press (Elsevier). doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-386540-3.00017-4

The story behind the total synthesis of Vibsanin E and 5-epi-Vibsanin E

2012

Journal Article

2nd international collaborative and cooperative chemistry symposium

Williams, Craig (2012). 2nd international collaborative and cooperative chemistry symposium. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 65 (9), 1260-1261. doi: 10.1071/CH12231

2nd international collaborative and cooperative chemistry symposium

2011

Journal Article

Synthesis of phenanthridine derivatives via photolysis

Linsenmeier, Anna M., Williams, Craig M. and Brase, Stefan (2011). Synthesis of phenanthridine derivatives via photolysis. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 76 (21), 9127-9132. doi: 10.1021/jo201542x

Synthesis of phenanthridine derivatives via photolysis

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

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