Tēnā koutou katoa | Greetings,

I am a Professor in Organic and Medicinal Chemistry at the School of Chemical Sciences. I started my academic career at the University of Auckland in 2006, after completing my PhD research (Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore) and undertaking postdoctoral fellowships in Sweden, UK and USA. 

My research specialisation is in Peptide Chemistry. In my lab, we design and synthesize novel peptides and small organic compounds and study their structure and function. These investigations help us understand and solve complex problems in biology and medicine, such as developing drugs to fight against infectious diseases and cancer. This line of research has extended applications that span Food Science and Nutrition, Sensory Science and Materials Chemistry. Thus, research in my group over the years has led to the development of novel antimicrobial and anticancer compounds, antifreeze peptides that protect food from freeze thaw damage and self-assembling systems with potential applications in biomimetic light harvesting and drug delivery. For further details, please refer to the research tab available on this page.

I am passionate about research-informed teaching and learning. I gain a lot of satisfaction through my teaching activities and interaction with students, which enable me to further expand my horizon as an academic.

Students, at any level of study – BSc(Hons), MChem, MSc or PhD - interested in joining my research group, please contact me via email (v.sarojini@auckland.ac.nz) to discuss research opportunities.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE:

Synthesis of peptides and other organic compounds; Medicinal chemistry of peptides and other organic compounds; Green chemistry; Spectroscopic analysis; Microbiology; Health-promoting effects of bioactive peptides.


RESPONSIBILITIES:

Deputy Head of School (Academic)
Deputy Director, Centre for Green Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland

COMMITTEES:

School Executive Committee
Academic Programmes Committee (UoA)
Staff Student Consultative Committee of the School (Chair)
 

PROFESSIONAL GROUPS:

New Zealand Institute of Chemistry
New Zealand Microbiological Society
New Zealand Plant Protection Society

Indian Peptide Society
European Peptide Society

International Horticultural Society

DEGREES:
PhD (Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and BHU)


MEDIA KEYWORDS:

Medicinal chemistry, Sensory science, Organic chemistry