Hunt Research Group

The Hunt Research Group is a theoretical and computational chemistry group which carries out theoretical development and computational modeling.

Our research is focused towards understanding the chemistry and physics associated with solvents and solvation, particularly as this applies to ionic-liquids and deep eutectic solvents.

We study the making and breaking of molecules. This includes catalytic mechanisms (for group II and frustriated lewis acid-base pairs) and chemical decomposition (for green fuels, bio-fuels and ionic-liquids).

Overarching all of these areas is a specialisation in hydrogen-bonding, acid-base interactions and an expertise in the MO theory of bonding. We have developed the Effective MO Method for interrogating the electronic structure of liquids and study charge partitioning and interactions within molecules.

Dr. Hunt's picture fellow_RS fellow_RS

Dec 2024

Latest News Presenting at the NZIC Conference, a Poster prize, 1st year PhD transfer, new Summer student, a Fellowship, funding and Christmas dinner.
Talks and Posters

The group went to the NZ Institute of Chemistry Conference in Dunedin from 24-28 November, this was everyone's first time in Dunedin.

Tricia gave an invited talk, while Qurat Al Ain and Irelie Ebardo presented posters. Hamza patel, part of our extended collaborative team on a Marsden grant, also gave a talk. Congratulations to Qurat who won a poster prize!

irelie_poster qurat_certificate_NSIC_2024 Irelie and Qurat at their posters at the NZIC conference


Group

Irelie Ebardo has recently passed her viva and 1st year "proposal" and is now officially confirmed in her PhD. Congratulations!

Victoria Li has joined the group as a summer research student to learn more about research and computational chemistry.

Fellowship

Tricia has been named as one of the two inaugural New Zealand Royal Society Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researchers.

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Funding

More good news is that Tricia is part of a large international group that has successfully won € 1.76 million ≅3.21 million NZD in a Globally coordinated program for Antimicrobial Resistance (JPIAMR). The award is for the project NanoHeal: Bridging Bench to Bedside for Advanced Nanomaterials in Wound Care and Infection Prevention

Christmas

We celebrated an early Christmas group dinner as Muhammad needed to leave for home in November. A walk in the park behind Tricia's house, with her dog Deo

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To see more check out the links to the left