Associate Professor Paul Prenzler

A/Prof Prenzler completed a BSc(Hons) and PhD at the University of Queensland, where he researched platinum anti-cancer compounds. He then spent a year as a visiting Research Scientist at the Advanced Research Laboratory of Hitachi, in Japan, working on a project related to optical computing and genetically engineered octopus rhodopsin. Returning to Australia, A/Prof Prenzler was a postdoctoral fellow at the Research School of Chemistry ANU, where he was involved in several projects in inorganic electrochemistry, including the development of the first electrochemical cell designed to operate in a superconducting magnet in a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectrometer. His next postdoctoral appointment was at Melbourne University, which also involved inorganic electrochemistry, and from Melbourne he was appointed lecturer in Chemistry at CSU in July 1997.

At CSU A/Prof Prenzler’s research interests have diversified to encompass projects that are aligned with CSU’s location in rural Australia. The projects typically involve the application of different analytical techniques to solve chemical problems that have significance to the region. He is a co-author of 4 book chapters and 107 refereed publications, and the recipient of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Research Excellence. Paul is a member of the Editorial Board for Nutrients and co-Guest Editor of a Special Issue “Metabolomics in Nutrition”. He is actively involved in promoting chemistry in High Schools through the National Indigenous Science Education Program (NISEP).

Teaching Interests

Paul lecturers in the following subjects:

• CHM107 Chemistry1B
• CHM214 Physical Chemistry
• CHM219 Organic and Physical Chemistry
• CHM335 Analytical Chemistry Industry Experience

Research Interests

The common thread in A/Prof Prenzler's research is the application of analytical chemistry to solve real-world problems, spanning diverse areas such as:

• the measurement of antioxidant activity
• the potential for analytical chemistry to monitor diseases such as coeliac disease
• quality of foods and beverages, especially measured by analysis of volatile compounds, phenolic compounds and other minor components

Current Research Projects

• 2018 'Bioactives in Portulaca species'. Funded by Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation and Charles Sturt University $7,000.
• 2017 'Investigating olive oil quality improvement through filtration'. Funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited $13,500.
• 2017 'Processing Water Treatment Options to Improve Olive Oil Quality'. Funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited $23,500.
• 2016-2019 'Fumonisins in Grapes and Wine'. Funded by Charles Sturt University $90,000.
• 2015-2018 'Neuroprotective effects of Menth spp'. Funded by Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, $25,000.
• 2013-2018 'Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Training Scheme for Functional Grains'. Funded by the Australian Research Council $2,100,000.

Research Students

PhD Current

• Doaa Hanafy "Antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of mint species". Submitted August 2018.
• Dilhani Perrera – "Fumonisins in Grapes and Wine". Commenced 2016 – proposed completion March 2019.

Honours Current

• Colette Geier – "Bioactives in Portulaca species". Commenced 2018 – proposed completion November 2018.

Professional Memberships

• Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute
• Member of the Australian Section of the American Oil Chemists' Society
• Member of the Eastern Riverina Science Teachers Association

Other Professional Activities

• Co-director of the Charles Sturt University Hub of the National Indigenous Science Education Program

Recent Publications

View Associate Professor Prenzler's publications on CRO.