Our People

Dan Furkert

Synthetic organic chemist with a focus on bioactive molecules. Our research group explores the fundamental processes underlying chemical reactions, and applies them in drug discovery, neuropharmacology, drug-protein interactions and organic synthesis. We have a strong interest in working with collaborators to build detailed pharmacological understanding of GPCR allosteric modulators, and to apply computer modelling methods to guide our investigations into drug design and reaction development. Dan has previously spent time working across organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry, through his PhD (Auckland) and NIH postdoctoral fellowships in natural product synthesis (Oregon State University, USA) and opioid receptor pharmacology (University of Bath, UK). The group has active collaborations with FMHS and SBS at UoA, as well as the University of Otago, Cawthron Institute (Nelson) and the Maurice Wilkins Centre.