Damian Stachura

Research Interests

Biologically Active Molecules Drug discovery General Chemistry Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry Organic Chemical Synthesis Organic Chemistry

Dr Damian Stachura

NHMRC Grant-Funded Researchr A

School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences

College of Sciences

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD (as Co-Supervisor) - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Damian graduated from The University of Adelaide in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Chemistry. He then went on to complete his PhD in Medicinal Chemistry at The University of Adelaide, under the continued supervision of Prof. Andrew Abell and Dr. Thomas Avery. His work focused on the development and characterization of a novel class of antibiotics, with his thesis being awarded "The Deans Commendation for Doctoral Thesis Excellence". Damian is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Adelaide, where his work has expanded to the development of multiple novel therapeutics targeting diseases associated with viral and bacterial infections, neuropathic pain, cellular radiation damage, and oxidative stress–related conditions. He is also a member of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale Biophotonics (CNBP) and a Scientific Network Committee member for the Institute for Photonics & Advanced Sensing (IPAS).

My research focuses on the development of small molecules with biological activity. The majority of my work centres on the design, synthesis, and characterisation of these compounds, with the aim of optimising existing drug leads and establishing the foundation for the development of novel therapeutic agents.

Date Position Institution name
2023 - ongoing Postdoctoral Researcher The University of Adelaide

Language Competency
English Can read, write, speak and understand spoken
Polish Can read, speak and understand spoken

Date Institution name Country Title
2019 - 2023 The University of Adelaide Australia PhD
2018 - 2018 The University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Science (Honours)
2015 - 2017 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Science

Year Citation
2025 Avery, T. D., Li, J., Turner, D. J. L., Rasheed, M. S. U., Cherry, F. R., Stachura, D. L., . . . Grace, P. M. (2025). Site-specific drug release of monomethyl fumarate to treat oxidative stress disorders. Nature Biotechnology, 43(10), 1624-1627.
DOI Scopus9 WoS10 Europe PMC10
2025 Ngo, V. T., Gulati, K., Law, C. S., Tran, N. Q. H., Lin, J., Stachura, D. L., . . . Santos, A. (2025). Titania Nanopores as Photoelectrocatalysts for Coupling Hydrogen Production with Plastic Reformation. Advanced Science, 12(39), e09287-1-e09287-13.
DOI Europe PMC1
2024 Kalyvas, J. T., Wang, Y., Toronjo-Urquiza, L., Stachura, D. L., Yu, J., Horsley, J. R., & Abell, A. D. (2024). A New Gramicidin S Analogue with Potent Antibacterial Activity and Negligible Hemolytic Toxicity. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 67(13), 10774-10782.
DOI Scopus11 WoS11 Europe PMC11
2024 Stachura, D. L., Kalyvas, J. T., & Abell, A. D. (2024). New Potent Sulfonamide-Based Inhibitors of <i>S</i>. <i>aureus</i> Biotin Protein Ligase. ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 15(9), 1467-1473.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2023 Stachura, D. L., Nguyen, S., Polyak, S. W., Jovcevski, B., Bruning, J. B., & Abell, A. D. (2023). Structural Study of Potent Triazole-Based Inhibitors of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> Biotin Protein Ligase. ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 14(3), 285-290.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC1
2023 Kalyvas, J. T., Marina, P. F., Stachura, D. L., Horsley, J., & Abell, A. D. (2023). Smart Wearable Patches Using Light-Controlled Activation and Delivery of Photoswitchable Antimicrobial Peptides. Chemistry, 29(46), 1-8.
DOI Scopus4 WoS3 Europe PMC3
2022 Stachura, D. L., Nguyen, S., Polyak, S. W., Jovcevski, B., Bruning, J. B., & Abell, A. D. (2022). A New 1,2,3-triazole scaffold with improved potency against Staphylococcus aureus biotin protein ligase. ACS Infectious Diseases, 8(12), 2579-2585.
DOI Scopus5 WoS4 Europe PMC4

Year Citation
2025 Stachura, D., Rivera-Escalera, F., Turner, D., Rasheed, M., Ruiz, D., Avery, T., . . . Abell, A. (2025). Structure-Property Relationship Analysis of α-Keto Ester Prodrugs of Monomethyl Fumarate as NRF2 Activators.
DOI

2025 - ADDI Seed Funding Grant ($20,000)

Damian has taught 1st, 2nd and 3rd year organic chemistry practical courses at The University of Adelaide.

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2026 Co-Supervisor Oxidative Stress Activated Prodrugs of Monomethyl Fumarate for the Treatment of Disease Master of Research Master Full Time Miss Faye Liu
2025 Co-Supervisor 1,2-Dicarbonyl ROS-Activated Prodrugs Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Thomas Owen Ward
2025 Co-Supervisor 1,2-Dicarbonyl ROS-Activated Prodrugs Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Thomas Owen Ward
2023 Co-Supervisor The Design and Synthesis of New Antimicrobial Agents Based on Biotin Biology Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Taylah Renee Cruse
2023 Co-Supervisor The Design and Synthesis of New Antimicrobial Agents Based on Biotin Biology Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Taylah Renee Cruse

Date Role Membership Country
2023 - ongoing Member IPAS Scientific Network Committee Australia
2018 - ongoing Member Center for Nanoscale Biophotonics Australia
2018 - ongoing Member Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing Australia

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