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

239 works between 1995 and 2025
All (239) Journal Article (224) Book Chapter (5) Conference Publication (6) Other Outputs (4)

181 - 200 of 239 works

2009

Journal Article

Synthesis of cis-vinyltrimethylstannanes and cis-vinylpinacolboronates in a two-step highly regio and stereoselective process

Mirzayans, Paul Malek, Pouwer, Rebecca H., Williams, Craig M. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2009). Synthesis of cis-vinyltrimethylstannanes and cis-vinylpinacolboronates in a two-step highly regio and stereoselective process. Tetrahedron, 65 (39), 8297-8305. doi: 10.1016/j.tet.2009.06.092

Synthesis of cis-vinyltrimethylstannanes and cis-vinylpinacolboronates in a two-step highly regio and stereoselective process

2009

Journal Article

Asymmetric [4+3] cycloadditions between vinylcarbenoids and dienes: Application to the total synthesis of the natural product (-)-5-epi-Vibsanin E

Schwartz, Brett D., Denton, Justin R., Lian, Yajing, Davies, Huw M. L. and Williams, Craig M. (2009). Asymmetric [4+3] cycloadditions between vinylcarbenoids and dienes: Application to the total synthesis of the natural product (-)-5-epi-Vibsanin E. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 131 (23), 8329-8332. doi: 10.1021/ja9019484

Asymmetric [4+3] cycloadditions between vinylcarbenoids and dienes: Application to the total synthesis of the natural product (-)-5-epi-Vibsanin E

2009

Journal Article

Cyclic enones as substrates in the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction: Surfactant interactions, scope and scalability with an emphasis on formaldehyde

Schwartz, B.D., Porzelle, A., Jack, K.S., Faber, J. M., Gentle, I.R. and Williams, C. M. (2009). Cyclic enones as substrates in the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction: Surfactant interactions, scope and scalability with an emphasis on formaldehyde. Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis, 351 (7-8), 1148-1154. doi: 10.1002/adsc.200800739

Cyclic enones as substrates in the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction: Surfactant interactions, scope and scalability with an emphasis on formaldehyde

2009

Journal Article

Competition between cluster fragmentation, C-C bond coupling and C-X bond activation in silver hexynyl cluster cations, [(C4H9CCAg)(n)Ag](+). Size does matter!

Wang, Farrah Qiuyun, Khairallah, George N., Koutsantonis, George A., Williams, Craig M., Callahan, Damien L. and O'Hair, Richard A. J. (2009). Competition between cluster fragmentation, C-C bond coupling and C-X bond activation in silver hexynyl cluster cations, [(C4H9CCAg)(n)Ag](+). Size does matter!. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 11 (21), 4132-4135. doi: 10.1039/b904687a

Competition between cluster fragmentation, C-C bond coupling and C-X bond activation in silver hexynyl cluster cations, [(C4H9CCAg)(n)Ag](+). Size does matter!

2009

Journal Article

University of Queensland-National University of Singapore Joint Symposium

Williams, Craig (2009). University of Queensland-National University of Singapore Joint Symposium. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 62 (62), 949-950. doi: 10.1071/CH09389

University of Queensland-National University of Singapore Joint Symposium

2008

Journal Article

Total Synthesis of (+)-2-O-Methylneovibsanin H

Chen, A.P. and Williams, C.M. (2008). Total Synthesis of (+)-2-O-Methylneovibsanin H. Organic Letters, 10 (16), 3441-3443. doi: 10.1021/ol801117e

Total Synthesis of (+)-2-O-Methylneovibsanin H

2008

Journal Article

Structure and absolute stereochemistry of the anticancer agent EBC-23 from the Australian rainforest

Dong, Lin, Gordon, Victoria A., Grange, Rebecca L., Johns, Jenny, Parsons, Peter G., Porzelle, Achim, Reddell, Paul, Schill, Heiko and Williams, Craig M. (2008). Structure and absolute stereochemistry of the anticancer agent EBC-23 from the Australian rainforest. Journal of American Chemical Society, 130 (46), 15262-15263. doi: 10.1021/ja807133p

Structure and absolute stereochemistry of the anticancer agent EBC-23 from the Australian rainforest

2008

Journal Article

End game strategies towards the total synthesis of vibsanin E, 3-hydroxyvibsanin E, furanovibsanin A, and 3-O-methylfuranovibsanin A

Schwartz, Brett D., Williams, Craig M. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2008). End game strategies towards the total synthesis of vibsanin E, 3-hydroxyvibsanin E, furanovibsanin A, and 3-O-methylfuranovibsanin A. Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry, 4 (1) 34, 1-9. doi: 10.3762/bjoc.4.34

End game strategies towards the total synthesis of vibsanin E, 3-hydroxyvibsanin E, furanovibsanin A, and 3-O-methylfuranovibsanin A

2008

Journal Article

A general procedure to access methylene ether isonitrile derivatives

Grange, Rebecca L., Williams, Craig M., Dong, Lin and Gordon, Victoria A. (2008). A general procedure to access methylene ether isonitrile derivatives. Synthesis, 2008 (20), 3326-3330. doi: 10.1055/s-0028-1083143

A general procedure to access methylene ether isonitrile derivatives

2008

Journal Article

Two-Step Regio- and Stereoselective Synthesis of cis-Vinylstannanes

Malek Mirzayans, P., Pouwer, R. and Williams, C.M. (2008). Two-Step Regio- and Stereoselective Synthesis of cis-Vinylstannanes. Organic Letters, 10 (17), 3861-3863. doi: 10.1021/ol801251m

Two-Step Regio- and Stereoselective Synthesis of cis-Vinylstannanes

2008

Journal Article

Towards the total synthesis of Spirovibsanin A: Total synthesis of (±)-5,14-Bis-epi-spirovibsanin A

Gallen, Michael J. and Williams, Craig M. (2008). Towards the total synthesis of Spirovibsanin A: Total synthesis of (±)-5,14-Bis-epi-spirovibsanin A. European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2008 (27), 4697-4705. doi: 10.1002/ejoc.200800574

Towards the total synthesis of Spirovibsanin A: Total synthesis of (±)-5,14-Bis-epi-spirovibsanin A

2008

Journal Article

Exploiting the Anders-Gassner variant on the Wittig reaction: new methodology for the synthesis of 3,3-dimethylacroyl enol esters

Schwartz, Brett D., Williams, Craig M., Anders, Ernst and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2008). Exploiting the Anders-Gassner variant on the Wittig reaction: new methodology for the synthesis of 3,3-dimethylacroyl enol esters. Tetrahedron, 64 (27), 6482-6487. doi: 10.1016/j.tet.2008.04.068

Exploiting the Anders-Gassner variant on the Wittig reaction: new methodology for the synthesis of 3,3-dimethylacroyl enol esters

2008

Journal Article

Experimental determination of the gas phase proton affinities of the conjugate base anions of 2-iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX) and 2-iodosobenzoic acid (IBA)

Waters, Tom, Boulton, Jack, Clark, Timothy, Gallen, Michael J., Williams, Craig M. and O'Hair, Richard A. J. (2008). Experimental determination of the gas phase proton affinities of the conjugate base anions of 2-iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX) and 2-iodosobenzoic acid (IBA). Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, 6 (6), 2530-2533. doi: 10.1039/b803452d

Experimental determination of the gas phase proton affinities of the conjugate base anions of 2-iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX) and 2-iodosobenzoic acid (IBA)

2008

Journal Article

Total synthesis of (+)-5, 14-bis-epi-Spirovibsanin A

Gallen, M. and Williams, C.M. (2008). Total synthesis of (+)-5, 14-bis-epi-Spirovibsanin A. Organic Letters, 10 (5), 713-715. doi: 10.1021/ol702827x

Total synthesis of (+)-5, 14-bis-epi-Spirovibsanin A

2008

Conference Publication

Cell culture-based assays identify edible rainforest fruits with potential for chemoprevention of cancer

Aoude, L., Ferguson, B., Gordon, V., Johns, J., Maslovskaya, L., Parsons, P., Pierce, C., Reddell, P., Savchenko, A. and Williams, C. (2008). Cell culture-based assays identify edible rainforest fruits with potential for chemoprevention of cancer. 4th Australian Health and Medical Research Congress, Brisbane, Australia, 16-21 November 2008. Sydney, Australia: AHMRC.

Cell culture-based assays identify edible rainforest fruits with potential for chemoprevention of cancer

2007

Journal Article

Investigating direct access to 2-oxospiro[4.5]decanones via 6 pi-electrocyclisation

Pouwer, Rebecca H., Schill, Heiko, Williams, Craig M. and Bernhardt, Paul V. (2007). Investigating direct access to 2-oxospiro[4.5]decanones via 6 pi-electrocyclisation. European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2007 (28), 4699-4705. doi: 10.1002/ejoc.200700367

Investigating direct access to 2-oxospiro[4.5]decanones via 6 pi-electrocyclisation

2007

Journal Article

Rapid access to in situ generated (R)- and (S)-2-furyloxirane and associated regioselective nucleophilic ring-opening studies

Porzelle, A, Gordon, VA and Williams, CM (2007). Rapid access to in situ generated (R)- and (S)-2-furyloxirane and associated regioselective nucleophilic ring-opening studies. Synlett, 2007 (10), 1619-1621. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-980381

Rapid access to in situ generated (R)- and (S)-2-furyloxirane and associated regioselective nucleophilic ring-opening studies

2007

Journal Article

Investigating direct alkynylation at the bridgehead of bicyclic cages using silver(I) acetylides

Pouwer, R. H., Harper, J. B., Vyakaranam, K., Michl, J., Williams, C. M., Jessen, C. H. and Bernhardt, P. V. (2007). Investigating direct alkynylation at the bridgehead of bicyclic cages using silver(I) acetylides. European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2007 (2), 241-248. doi: 10.1002/ejoc.200600701

Investigating direct alkynylation at the bridgehead of bicyclic cages using silver(I) acetylides

2006

Other Outputs

Methods of treating pain

Smith, Maree and Williams, Craig (2006). Methods of treating pain. PCT/AU2005/001976.

Methods of treating pain

2006

Journal Article

Direct access to functionalized cyclic enones using Mannich, Morita-Baylis-Hillman and elimination reactions

Porzelle, Achim and Williams, Craig M. (2006). Direct access to functionalized cyclic enones using Mannich, Morita-Baylis-Hillman and elimination reactions. Synthesis, 18 (18), 3025-3030. doi: 10.1055/s-2006-942539

Direct access to functionalized cyclic enones using Mannich, Morita-Baylis-Hillman and elimination reactions

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2029
    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

    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

    Developing hyperstable alkenes as liquid organic hydrogen carriers

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Discovery of New Herbicides

    Principal 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

    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

    Microbial manufacturing of plant saponin-inspired vaccine adjuvants

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor James De Voss

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Synthesis and applications of glycosaminoglycan mimetics

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Vito Ferro

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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