Jennifer N. Wunder

Jennifer N. Wunder, formerly Jennifer Louise Martin, is an Australian academic and molecular biologist with extensive experience in structural biology, protein crystallography, and drug discovery. Her career includes significant roles at various universities, including Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) at the University of Wollongong and directorships at Griffith University's Institute for Drug Discovery. Martin's research has focused on understanding protein interactions and applying this knowledge to the design of new medicines, particularly in areas like antibiotic resistance and metabolic disorders.

Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Pharmacy and a Master's degree, followed by a DPhil at the University of Oxford, where she utilized protein crystallography to develop potential anti-diabetic compounds. Throughout her career, she has been a recipient of numerous prestigious fellowships and awards, recognizing her contributions to science. Martin has also been a prominent advocate for gender equity in STEM fields, actively promoting opportunities and addressing imbalances within academia. She has also engaged in science communication, including writing for public platforms and authoring a children's book.

Jennifer N. Wunder's scientific career is deeply rooted in molecular biology and structural studies. She has specialized in protein crystallography, a technique used to determine the three-dimensional structure of proteins. Her research has explored protein interactions and their implications for drug design and discovery. A significant area of her work involved studying disulfide bond forming (DSB) proteins, leading to the development of inhibitors that could potentially combat antibiotic resistance. She also investigated enzymes like phenylethanolamine N-methyl transferase (PNMT) and contributed to understanding the structural biology of membrane fusion, a process critical for various biological functions including neurotransmission and blood glucose regulation. Wunder has held leadership positions, including directorships of drug discovery institutes and served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) at the University of Wollongong.

Wunder's educational background provided a strong foundation for her scientific pursuits. She earned a Bachelor of Pharmacy with honors and a Master's degree focused on computational chemistry applied to opioid analgesics. Her doctoral research at the University of Oxford, supported by significant scholarships, employed protein crystallography to design inhibitors for glycogen phosphorylase, aiming for potential anti-diabetic applications. Her postdoctoral work at Rockefeller University led to a significant publication in the journal Nature detailing the structure of the DsbA protein. Throughout her career in Australia, she secured numerous prestigious fellowships, including Australian Research Council (ARC) fellowships and a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Senior Research Fellowship. Notably, she was an inaugural ARC Australian Laureate Fellow.

Beyond her research, Jennifer N. Wunder has been a vocal advocate for gender equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). She has actively worked to address gender imbalances in academia, particularly at senior levels. Wunder has published on strategies for achieving gender balance in scientific conferences and maintained a blog discussing issues pertinent to women in academia. She was instrumental in establishing the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative, which aimed to implement the UK Athena SWAN charter in Australia. Her commitment to science communication is also evident through her participation in public science events, radio interviews, public lectures, and writing articles for platforms like The Conversation. She also authored a children's book aimed at inspiring young minds about protein crystallography.