Professor Martin Johnston

Dr Martin Johnston is Professor of Chemistry at Flinders University in the College of Science and Engineering. His career in scientific research, teaching, and industry collaboration has focused on organic chemistry across a range of sectors and applications such as renewable energy, health and defence.

He completed his BSc (Hons, I, 1987) and his PhD (1994) at the University of New England under the supervision of Prof. Max Gunter in the area of porphryin supramolecular organic chemistry. His PhD work examined the synthesis and characterisation of porphyrin-bipyridinium supramolecular constructs progressing from host-guest complexes to catenanes. He took time out during his PhD and worked in the laboratories of Sir Fraser Stoddart (Nobel laurate, 2016) in the UK whilst supported on a Laporte Centenary Scholarship.

Upon completion of his PhD he worked in the Centre for Molecular Architecture at Central Queensland University, under the directorship of Prof. Ron Warrener progressing from Postdoctoral Fellow to Laboratory Manager to Research Fellow. Research involved the synthesis and characterisation of various supramolecular constructs.

Since joining Flinders University in 2002, he has played a pivotal role in shaping chemical education and research, supervising and mentoring numerous honours, master's, and PhD students along the way.

As an innovative educator, he has received a Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence and has integrated several cutting-edge initiatives such as lightboard technology to enhance front-on lecturing and online learning. Beyond teaching, he has provided leadership in key academic roles, including Deputy Head of School, Assistant Dean of School, and HDR Coordinator.

Martin is the manager and operational supporter of the NMR spectroscopy infrastructure, overseeing 400 MHz and 600 MHz spectrometers to support interdisciplinary research. His leadership has helped secure national funding (ARC LIEF grants), ensuring world-class NMR facilities that maximise access and resources across the state.

With extensive industry partnerships, Martin has collaborated with organisations such as Forensic Science SA (FSSA), Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), and CSIRO. His forensic chemistry research has gained significant recognition, including being a State Finalist in the SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards for excellence in science and industry collaboration. He has collaborated with various international researchers at Defence Science and Technology (UK), Washington State University, University of Bologna and Netherland Forensic Science Institute.

Since 2019, Martin has served on the Organic Section Editorial Board for Molecules, an MDPI-published journal.

His research interests span forensic chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, and NMR spectroscopy.