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 somewhat 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.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Research area keywords
- Drug Delivery
- Imaging
- Nano-Materials
- Nanomedicine
- Nanotechnology
- Nanotoxicology
- Polymeric Materials
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 10 Finished
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TISN: Tackling ischaemic stroke with nanomedicine
Bourne, J., Wong, C., Veldhuis, N., Whittaker, M. & Lawlor, K.
1/01/23 → 31/03/24
Project: Research
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Delivery of pH-responsive nanoparticles to reduce thrombo-inflammation and neural injury after ischaemic stroke
Wong, C. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Veldhuis, N. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Whittaker, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Bourne, J. (Chief Investigator (CI))
1/01/23 → 31/12/24
Project: Research
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Antibacterial Material Design via Mechanism-Based Mathematical Modelling
Whittaker, M. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Landersdorfer, C. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Velkov, T. (Chief Investigator (CI))
31/01/20 → 31/12/23
Project: Research
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Understanding the kinetics of nanomedicine clearance from healthy and diseased lungs
Kaminskas, L. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Whittaker, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Whittaker, A. K. (Chief Investigator (CI))
1/04/19 → 31/03/22
Project: Research
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Age-Dependent Effects of Oxytocin and Oxytocin Receptor Antagonists on Bladder Contractions: Implications for the Treatment of Overactive Bladder Syndrome
Badshah, M., Ibrahim, J., Su, N., Whiley, P., Middendorff, R., Whittaker, M. & Exintaris, B., Mar 2024, In: Biomedicines. 12, 3, 17 p., 674.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access1 Citation (Scopus) -
Functionalisation of brush polyethylene glycol polymers with specific lipids extends their elimination half-life through association with natural lipid trafficking pathways
Abdallah, M., Lin, L., Styles, I. K., Mörsdorf, A., Grace, J. L., Gracia, G., Nowell, C., Quinn, J. F., Landersdorfer, C. B., Whittaker, M. R. & Trevaskis, N. L., 15 Jan 2024, In: Acta Biomaterialia. 174, p. 191-205 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access8 Citations (Scopus) -
Hydrogenated Soy Phosphatidylcholine Liposomes Stimulate Differential Expression of Chemokines And Cytokines by Rat Alveolar Macrophages In Vitro
Ibrahim, J. P., Dao, N., Haque, S., Phipps, S., Whittaker, M. R. & Kaminskas, L. M., May 2024, In: Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 113, 5, p. 1395-1400 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access1 Citation (Scopus) -
Impact of conjugation to different lipids on the lymphatic uptake and biodistribution of brush PEG polymers
Abdallah, M., Lin, L., Styles, I. K., Mörsdorf, A., Grace, J. L., Gracia, G., Landersdorfer, C. B., Nowell, C. J., Quinn, J. F., Whittaker, M. R. & Trevaskis, N. L., May 2024, In: Journal of Controlled Release. 369, p. 146-162 17 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access4 Citations (Scopus) -
Lipidated brush-PEG polymers as low molecular weight pulmonary drug delivery platforms
Kaminskas, L. M., Butcher, N. J., Subasic, C. N., Kothapalli, A., Haque, S., Grace, J. L., Morsdorf, A., Blanchfield, J. T., Whittaker, A. K., Quinn, J. F. & Whittaker, M. R., 23 Jan 2024, In: Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery. 21, 1, p. 151-167 17 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
1 Citation (Scopus)
Prizes
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Australian/Shell Innovation Challenge 2011 - University of Quensland
Whittaker, Mikey (Recipient), 2011
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Australian Mining Awards 2011 - University of Quensland
Whittaker, Mikey (Recipient), 2011
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Finalist UniQuest Trailblazer 2006 and 2008 - University of Quensland
Whittaker, Mikey (Recipient), 2006
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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38th Australasian Polymer Symposium
Mikey Whittaker (Speaker)
9 Nov 2019Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to conference
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26th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Conference 2018
Mikey Whittaker (Keynote/plenary speaker)
3 Apr 2018Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to conference
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12th International Symposium on Polymer Therapeutics: From Laboratory to Clinical Practice
Mikey Whittaker (Invited speaker)
2018Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to conference
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9th International Nanomedicine Conference
Mikey Whittaker (Organiser)
2018Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to conference
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RACI Centenary Congress
Mikey Whittaker (Invited speaker)
2017Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to workshop, seminar, course