Kathryn Mcgrath

Biography

Kate completed her BSc(Hons) degree in Chemistry at the University of Canterbury, before moving to The Australian National University (Department of Applied Mathematics), Canberra, Australia where she obtained her PhD.  After finishing her PhD Kate took up a post-doctoral position in Paris at L’Université de Pierre et Marie Curie – Paris VI (Laboratoire de Mineralogie et Cristallographie), with Maurice Kléman.  During her second post-doctoral fellowship, Kate worked with Sol Gruner in the Physics Department at Princeton University, Princeton.  Kate’s first lecturing position was in the Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, where she stayed for six years, completing a PGDipCom in Finance in her spare time.  In January 2004 she moved to Victoria University of Wellington.  In 2011 Kate was promoted to Professor and became the Director of the MacDiarmid Institute.  Kate’s research has been recognised by the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (2003 Easterfield Medal) and the New Zealand Association of Scientists (2007 Research Medal).  In 2013 Kate was awarded the Wellington Gold Inspire Wellington Award. Kate is currently Chair of the association of Centres of Research Excellence.  

Research Interest

Molecular Self-assembly, Complex Fluids and Hierarchical Solid Formation. Many materials consist of molecules interacting with each other via weak interactions only and are often formed by a process called self-assembly.  Furthermore, depending on what length scale or time scale is investigated different effects and/or structure is evident.  These materials are examples of hierarchical materials, our bones, cellular membranes and emulsions are examples or such materials.  In our group we are working to understand the fundamental behaviour of such materials so that we are able to make new materials with advanced physical, chemical and mechanical characteristics.