Replacing a hydrogen with a fluorine atom often does little to affect the biological function of a molecule, so lawmakers need to ensure that molecules that are similar to illegal drugs are also illegal. But are the current laws too widespread – most critically, do they limit potential pharmaceutical medicines? In this project, we are computationally enumerating & exploring the properties illegal drug analogues and consider the implications of this law.

Good quality literature reviews are crucial for good science, but take time. In partnership with Clarivate Analytics, the team responsible for Web of Science, we will implement and test a novel literature review algorithm.

NSW Year 12 students have the opportunity to engage with a one-unit Science Extension course, where they pursue an independent research project ideally in collaboration with university researchers. At UNSW, we have developed SciX as a pathway to ensure equitable and widespread access to university research and researchers. Current research explores this programme’s effect on the PhD student mentors, high school student researchers and other stakeholders.