Philip G Kerr

Biography

Dr Kerr is a native of Perth, WA. After completing undergraduate studies (BSc Hons - organic chemistry) and graduate studies (MSc) in organometallic chemistry at UWA, he taught high school science, human biology, chemistry and computing for around 12 years, during which time a DipEd (Murd.) and GDipAppSc (WAustCAE) in computer studies were obtained. Pursuing a career change, he studied the chemistry and bioactivity of a West Australian native plant that enjoys an anecdotal reputation as a cancer treatment in that state. For this work he was awarded a PhD from the School of Pharmacy at Curtin University in Perth.  With his family, he moved from Perth to join the staff in the School of Biomedical Sciences at CSU in November 1998 as lecturer in medicinal chemistry. His research interests lie principally in the field of biologically active natural products and include Phytochemistry of Australian native plants (especially the Goodeniaceae) Traditional Aboriginal Medicines. Nutrition and nutraceuticals Allelopathy - plant-plant/plant-animal/plant-ecological relations Cancer, diabetes and serotonin-related disorders serve as a platform or springboard for my research efforts.

Research Interest

As a University academic, he believes research should inform teaching. Accordingly, his research program involves the supervision of Honours and Postgraduate students. To give you an idea of his research interests, a list of some of the Honours and PhD projectcts.