Our people
- Phone:
- +64 9 923 8255
Address:
School of Chemical Sciences
University of Auckland
Private Bag 92019
Auckland Mail Centre
Auckland 1142
Biography
Duncan McGillivray is a Professor in Physical Chemistry at the University of Auckland. His current research is focussed on material science, including colloids and surface science.
Duncan trained in neutron and X-ray scattering in the UK, USA and Australia before establishing his research group in New Zealand. His PhD was at the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, and he then worked in the USA at Johns Hopkins and Carnegie Mellon Universities, and the NIST Center for Neutron Research, and in Australia at the Australian National University.
Research interests
Duncan is interested in the physical basis of biological interactions at surfaces, particularly through investigating the structure of complex non-crystalline protein systems, and how to adapt colloidal systems and surfaces for controllable functionality using biomacromolecules.
This includes looking at membrane proteins, antimicrobial materials, nanoplastics, and protein aggregates in solution and how they respond to damage or stress – such as oxidation or high pressure/temperature.
I’m interested in the physical basis of biological interactions at surfaces.
Professor Duncan McGillivray
In the news
Annual Report
Funding successes - Annual Report 2022
April 19, 2023
Funding successes for our investigators and their research programmes during 2022. This funding enables our researchers and collaborators to continue their breakthrough research in advanced materials and nanotechnology.
Annual Report
Rhodes Trust trip to Oxford
April 14, 2023
Our Deputy Director Māori Associate Professor Pauline Harris travelled to Oxford in October with Juliet Nelson.
News Article
Taking nano and quantum science education into Rotorua schools
February 24, 2023
FLEET and MacDiarmid Institute teamed up for AMN10 in Rotorua to conduct science outreach workshops for 320 school students.
Read more about Taking nano and quantum science education into Rotorua schools
Annual Report
Summer of lab
May 4, 2022
Discovery Scholarship recipients spent their summer in various labs undertaking research.
News Article
Developing highly functional and tailorable surface coatings
February 22, 2022
New Associate Investigator Dr Taniela Lolohea is using some of his MacDiarmid funding for Pasifika science projects.
Read more about Developing highly functional and tailorable surface coatings
Annual Report
Adapting to the online environment
March 31, 2021
As classes and meetings moved online in March as Aotearoa New Zealand entered Level 4 lockdown, we adapted our community outreach activities to the virtual environment.
Annual Report
Awards - Annual Report 2020
March 24, 2021
This provides information about the range of awards received by MacDiarmid Institute Investigators in 2020.
Annual Report
Funding successes - Annual Report 2020
March 24, 2021
Funding successes for our investigators and their research programmes during 2020. This funding enables our researchers and collaborators to continue their breakthrough research in advanced materials and nanotechnology.
Annual Report
Kōrero partnership with NZEI - Annual Report 2019
May 25, 2020
In partnership with the New Zealand Education Institute (NZEI), we held Kōrero sessions teaching nanoscience to early childhood and primary teachers.
Read more about Kōrero partnership with NZEI - Annual Report 2019
Annual Report
When physics meets biochemistry - Annual Report 2018
April 8, 2019
Could bio-inspired self-assembled magnetic structures make computers more efficient?
Read more about When physics meets biochemistry - Annual Report 2018
Annual Report
2018 funding successes - Annual Report 2018
April 8, 2019
Funding successes for our investigators and their research programmes during 2018. This funding enables our researchers and collaborators to continue their breakthrough research in advanced materials and nanotechnology.
Annual Report
Kōrero partnership with NZEI - Annual Report 2018
April 8, 2019
Kōrero sessions were again held around the country – with two sessions held in each of three centres (Auckland 120 attendees, Wellington 32, Christchurch 49).
Read more about Kōrero partnership with NZEI - Annual Report 2018
Events
Materials: Fact or Fiction - Wanaka (23 October)
September 24, 2020
Associate Professor Duncan McGillivray and Dr Krista Steenbergen give their scientific take on whether fictional materials could be reality in a not too far off future.
Podcasts
Element of the Week - Chlorine (Cl)
December 2, 2019
Associate Professor Duncan McGillivray introduces the element Chlorine on RNZ Nights' Element of the Week.
Element of the Week - Fluorine (F)
November 4, 2019
Associate Professor Duncan McGillivray introduces the element Fluorine on RNZ Nights' Element of the Week.
Element of the Week - Plutonium (Pu)
July 15, 2019
Associate Professor Duncan McGillivray introduces the element Plutonium on RNZ Nights' Element of the Week.
Element of the Week - Sodium (Na)
June 21, 2019
Associate Professor Duncan McGillivray introduces the element Sodium on RNZ Nights' Element of the Week.
Element of the Week - Uranium (U)
September 9, 2019
Associate Professor Duncan McGillivray introduces the element Uranium on RNZs Nights' Element of the Week.
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