Research Scientist Jack Buntine

Dr. Jack T. Buntine graduated with a B.Sc. in chemistry from The University of Melbourne in 2015 before completing a M.Sc. in synthetic organic chemistry in 2017. He obtained his Ph.D. in molecular spectroscopy under the guidance of Professor Evan J. Bieske at The University of Melbourne in 2022. His doctoral studies included the development and construction of a novel scientific instrument combining several gas-phase techniques to explore the spectroscopy of cryogenically cooled isomer- and mass-selected cationic carbon clusters generated through laser ablation. The instrument combined laser spectroscopy, ion mobility spectrometry, mass spectrometry, and cryogenic quadrupole ion trapping for investigating the electronic spectroscopy of cold, astrophysically relevant gas-phase ions selected according to both their isomeric form (shape) and their mass-to-charge ratio. The primary purpose of the instrument was to gain information on the electronic structure of these species and to assess whether they exist in interstellar and/or circumstellar environments.

Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Buntine joined the SAHMRI team in Adelaide in January 2023 as a Research Radiochemist at the Molecular Imaging and Therapy Research Unit (MITRU). He is responsible for leading projects related to the development of manufacturing processes and quality-control methods of radiopharmaceutical products that are used for either diagnostic purposes through positron emission tomography (PET) or for therapy following diagnosis of disease. The development and manufacture of these products complies with current Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and regulatory requirements (e.g., PIC/S). He coordinates with external pharmaceutical companies to maintain multidisciplinary industry collaborations, including providing specialist technical input, defining project deliverables, preparing project timelines, delivering status reports to internal and external stakeholders, and ensuring the appropriate management of intellectual property.