Current Award Winners

Professor David Barker specialises in the synthesis of organic molecules and has undertaken research projects spanning a wide range of applications from natural product total synthesis and medicinal chemistry, to polymer and materials synthesis and wine/agricultural science. Due to Professor Barker’s extensive research in the synthesis of natural products, in particular lignan natural products, he is considered a world-leading expert in lignan synthetic chemistry. Professor Barker has been the recipient of a number of innovation awards and was awarded the University of Auckland Research Excellence Medal in 2022. Professor Barker is an associate investigator in the MacDiarmid Institute and has been involved in commercialisation ventures, including a start-up company. He also works with a number of industry partners to contribute to high-impact research. Additionally, since 2019, Professor Barker has been involved in research with companies, iwi and community groups to develop methods to purify fresh and drinking water in New Zealand.