Ian Alan Nicholls (born 24 October 1962 in Melbourne, Australia) is an educator and researcher in the fields of chemistry and chemical engineering and an academic leader. Since 2013 he has held the position of Dean of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at
Linnaeus University
Linnaeus University (LNU) ( sv, Linnéuniversitetet) is a state university in the Swedish historical province (''landskap'') Småland, with two campuses located in Växjö and Kalmar respectively. Linnaeus University was established in 2010 by ...
, Sweden, and is a Deputy Vice Chancellor of the university.
Education
After graduating from
Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School
Penleigh: la, Ad Altiora
, motto_translation = Essendon: Strength through knowledge;Penleigh: To higher things
, location = Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Keilor Park & Keilor East, Victoria
, country = Austral ...
(1980) he studied at the
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public research university located in Melbourne, Australia. Founded in 1853, it is Australia's second oldest university and the oldest in Victoria. Its main campus is located in Parkville, an inner suburb nor ...
(BSc(hons) and PhD in medicinal chemistry, 1981-1989). In 1998 he was awarded the title ''docent'' (habilitation/associate professor) by the Faculty of Engineering,
Lund University
, motto = Ad utrumque
, mottoeng = Prepared for both
, established =
, type = Public research university
, budget = SEK 9 billion Victoria University of Technology
Victoria University (VU or Vic Uni) is a public research university based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is one of only six dual-sector universities in Australia, providing courses in both higher education and Technical and Further Educat ...
(then Western Institute) was followed by a move in 1989 to
Cambridge University
, mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts.
Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge.
, established =
, other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...
(UK) for a position as post-doctoral research fellow with Prof.
Dudley H. Williams
Dudley Howard Williams (1937–2010) was a British biochemist known for utilizing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry in the study of molecular structure, especially the antibiotic vancomycin.
Biography
Dudley H ...
FRS, then in 1992 to
Lund University
, motto = Ad utrumque
, mottoeng = Prepared for both
, established =
, type = Public research university
, budget = SEK 9 billion Klaus Mosbach. Over the years 1994 to 1999 he held a series of positions at Lund University and the
University of Kalmar
Linnaeus University (LNU) ( sv, Linnéuniversitetet) is a state university in the Swedish historical province (''landskap'') Småland, with two campuses located in Växjö and Kalmar respectively. Linnaeus University was established in 2010 by ...
(from 2010 Linnaeus University) before being appointed as full professor of bioorganic chemistry in 2000. From 2007 until 2012 he was Head (''prefekt'') of the School of Natural Sciences, and as of 2013 Dean and Deputy Vice Chancellor. Since 2010 Nicholls has held a visiting professorship at
Uppsala University
Uppsala University ( sv, Uppsala universitet) is a public university, public research university in Uppsala, Sweden. Founded in 1477, it is the List of universities in Sweden, oldest university in Sweden and the Nordic countries still in opera ...
(Sweden) and in 2014 he was appointed adjunct professor in Materials Science and Engineering at
Jiangsu University
Jiangsu University () is a highly ranked and prestigious doctoral research university located in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China (PRC). It is a National Key University jointly developed by the Jiangsu Provincial Governmen ...
(PRC).
Research
Nicholls' research is primarily focused on the development of biomimetic materials and their application in sensing, catalysis and as biomaterials/therapeutics, and on fundamental studies of molecular recognition phenomena. This is reflected in his work with
molecular imprinting
Molecular imprinting is a technique to create template-shaped cavities in polymer matrices with predetermined selectivity and high affinity. This technique is based on the system used by enzymes for substrate (biochemistry), substrate recognition ...
and concerning the anticoagulant
warfarin
Warfarin, sold under the brand name Coumadin among others, is a medication that is used as an anticoagulant (blood thinner). It is commonly used to prevent blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and to prevent strok ...
. He has a number of editorial responsibilities, including editor-in-chief for
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
The ''International Journal of Molecular Sciences'' is a peer-reviewed open access scientific journal covering research in chemistry, molecular physics, and molecular biology. It is published by MDPI and was established in 2000. The editor-in-chie ...