Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
Research Statement: Dr Whittaker is expert in advanced polymerisation techniques and the synthesis / modification / characterisation of functional soft and hard matter. In his research career he has demonstrated the use of these materials to form functional and smart polymer materials and hybrid organic/inorganic nanoparticles with precise architectures and properties. As well as providing fundamental insights and new methods for materials synthesis, his transdisciplinary research has focused on using these functional materials as building blocks for advanced functional nano/materials used in a range of high-end technologies: precision nanomedicines (therapeutic drug, DNA, RNA delivery: and clinical imaging), bio-coatings and environmental remediation.
Professional Experience: After spending a number of years in industry he received his Ph-D in polymer chemistry in 2000 from the University of Queensland for work investigating the molecular dynamics and diffusion within hydrogel polymer networks using advanced solid state NMR techniques.
In 2001 he joined Bio-Layer Pty Ltd as a Senior Research Scientist where he developed new methods for the modification, synthesis and self-assembly of polymer interfaces to preferentially orientate antibodies. During this period of industry employment he also held an adjunct lecturer position within the University of New South Wales. In 2004, he joined the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN: http://www.aibn.uq.edu.au/) as Research Fellow. From 2008 until May 2013 he served as the Research Manager, and Senior Research Fellow, for both the Centre of Advanced Macromolecular Design (CAMD: www.camd.unsw.edu.au) and the Australian Centre for Nanomedicine (ACN: www.acn.unsw.edu.au), University of New South Wales.
Currently he is Senior Research Fellow within the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, a visiting academic at University of Warwick (UK) and visiting Professor with the group of Prof. Laurent Fontaine, University du Maine (France).
Founding Chair of the hugely successful PolymerVic symposium series.
Related Links:
Research interests
Current research interests also include:
1. Toxicology of nanoparticles,
2. Synthesis of 'smart' hybrid inorganic/organic nanomaterials,
3. Application of advanced polymer materials in environmental (soil/water) remediation,
4. Applications of advanced polymer materials in theranostic nanomedicine.
Keywords
- Drug Delivery
- Imaging
- Nano-Materials
- Nanomedicine
- Nanotechnology
- Nanotoxicology
- Polymeric Materials
Network
Recent external collaboration on country level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots.
Projects 2014 2022
Understanding the kinetics of nanomedicine clearance from healthy and diseased lungs
Kaminskas, L., Whittaker, M. & Whittaker, A. K.
1/04/19 → 31/03/22
Project: Research
IRTG: International Research Training Grant (IRTG)_Renewal of Molecular pathogenesis of male reproductive disorders project
Meinhardt, A., Loveland, K., Bhushan, S., Ellem, S., Hedger, M., O'Bryan, M., O'Donnell, L., Stanton, P., Risbridger, G., Baker, M. A., Hobbs, R., Loveland, B., Exintaris, B., Western, P., McLachlan, R., Whittaker, M., Wagenlehner, F. M. E., Bergmann, M., Diemer, T., Fietz, D., Fijak, M., Konrad, L., Linn, T., Middendorff, R., Pilatz, A., Schagdarsurengin, U., Schuppe, H. C., Steger, K. & Scheiner-Bobis, G.
1/10/17 → 31/03/22
Project: Research
Designing Nanoparticles to Combat Cellular Dysfunction
Whittaker, M., Kaminskas, L., Quinn, J. & Sloan, E.
Australian Research Council (ARC), Monash University
1/01/17 → 31/12/19
Project: Research
Optimal formulations of PolyActiva's drug-polymer conjugates
Whittaker, M., Sulistio, A. & Valade, D.
3/04/17 → 3/04/18
Project: Research
A study of the interrelationships between drug release and polymer biodegradation of novel drug-polymerconjugates (DPCs)
Davis, T., Prankerd, R., Whittaker, M., Donohue, A. & Tait, R.
Australian Research Council (ARC), PolyActiva Pty Ltd
3/10/14 → 30/06/17
Project: Research
Research Output 1995 2019
Controlling Nanomaterial Size and Shape for Biomedical Applications via Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly
Khor, S. Y., Quinn, J. F., Whittaker, M. R., Truong, N. P. & Davis, T. P., Jan 2019, In : Macromolecular Rapid Communications. 40, 2, 22 p., 1800438.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Development of a shape-controlled H 2 S delivery system using epoxide-functional nanoparticles
Yu, S. H., Esser, L., Khor, S. Y., Senyschyn, D., Veldhuis, N. A., Whittaker, M. R., Ercole, F., Davis, T. P. & Quinn, J. F., 23 Apr 2019, (Accepted/In press) In : Journal of Polymer Science, Part A: Polymer Chemistry. 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Local inflammation alters the lung disposition of a drug loaded pegylated liposome after pulmonary dosing to rats
Haque, S., Feeney, O., Meeusen, E., Boyd, B. J., McIntosh, M. P., Pouton, C. W., Whittaker, M. & Kaminskas, L. M., 10 Aug 2019, In : Journal of Controlled Release. 307, p. 32-43 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
A comparison of the lung clearance kinetics of solid lipid nanoparticles and liposomes by following the 3H-labelled structural lipids after pulmonary delivery in rats
Haque, S., Whittaker, M., McIntosh, M. P., Pouton, C. W., Phipps, S. & Kaminskas, L. M., 1 Apr 2018, In : European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics. 125, p. 1-12 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
A tunable one-pot three-component synthesis of an 125I and Gd-labelled star polymer nanoparticle for hybrid imaging with MRI and nuclear medicine
Esser, L., Lengkeek, N. A., Moffat, B. A., Vu, M. N., Greguric, I., Quinn, J. F., Davis, T. P. & Whittaker, M. R., 7 Jul 2018, In : Polymer Chemistry. 9, 25, p. 3528-3535 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Prizes
Australian/Shell Innovation Challenge 2011 - University of Quensland
Mikey Whittaker (Recipient), 2011
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Australian Mining Awards 2011 - University of Quensland
Mikey Whittaker (Recipient), 2011
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Finalist UniQuest Trailblazer 2006 and 2008 - University of Quensland
Mikey Whittaker (Recipient), 2006
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities 2007 2018
9th International Nanomedicine Conference
Mikey Whittaker (Organiser)2018
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to conference
12th International Symposium on Polymer Therapeutics: From Laboratory to Clinical Practice
Mikey Whittaker (Invited speaker)2018
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to conference
26th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Conference 2018
Mikey Whittaker (Keynote/plenary speaker)3 Apr 2018
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to conference
RACI Centenary Congress
Mikey Whittaker (Invited speaker)2017
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to workshop, seminar, course
French-Australian Friendly: Advanced Materials Workshop
Mikey Whittaker (Organiser)2017
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to workshop, seminar, course