Dr Stuart Malthus
Current position (Feb 2020-present): Scientist at Scion Research, Rotorua, NZ. Working on synthesis and characterisation of organic chemicals, sourced from renewable lignocellulosic resources and biorefinery co-products.
Previous position (2018-2020): Post Doctoral Research Associate at University of Reading and Diamond Light Source, UK. Working on the interactions of ruthenium complexes with damaged DNA.
PhD (2014-2017): University of Otago, New Zealand, with Professor Sally Brooker, ‘Developing new diphenylamine and carbazole based ligands and complexes’.
Stuart working at the Diamond Light Source.
I joined Sally’s research group as a 4th year BSc(hons) student in 2013. Following the completion of a successful honours year, I was offered a PhD scholarship from the Chemistry Department to continue my research within the Brooker Group which I was more than pleased to accept.
Throughout my PhD I was given the confidence and opportunity to explore and master a wide range of skills. The core area was a range of synthetic skills which allowed me to access to a series of desired compounds. This then led into the chance to get hands on experience with a wide range of techniques to analyse these compounds, from spectroscopy to electrochemistry and especially to X‑ray crystallography.
During my PhD there was always plenty of people to turn to for help, with Sally’s office conveniently being down the hall, and the many experienced senior PhD students around. As my PhD progressed and I became a more senior member of the group there was then the opportunity to return the favour and help mentor the new members of the group.
Sally was a fantastic supervisor who could always be counted on to provide useful advice on my research and was always happy to help work through any problems. On top of all the skills gained in the lab, Sally also encourages you to have the first go at writing manuscripts and mentors you through the entire process of publishing research papers. I was able to present my results at a series of conferences both as talks and posters. These public presentation skills continue to benefit me in many areas of my career.
Having been born and raised in Dunedin, I can say it is a wonderful city with many great features, as well being an affordable city, designed around the large student population. The city and surrounding areas are a haven for those who enjoy the outdoors with plenty of beaches and bush walks to explore. Due to a great work/life balance I had more than enough time to work on my research and explore the outdoors as well as play multiple sports throughout my time in the Brooker group.
The wide range of skills and experiences I accumulated through my time in the Brooker group were key in securing both of my post PhD positions. First as a Postdoc on a collaborative project between the University of Reading and Diamond Light Source in the UK, where my synthetic skills and crystallography knowledge paid dividends, and now as Scientist at the Crown Research Institute Scion, utilising my organic chemistry knowledge to work on bio-based compounds.
The successes during my PhD and in my career to date have been in large part due to Sally and the Brooker group. I can highly recommend Sally and the group as an excellent place to work and have a great time.
