Professor Janice Aldrich-Wright is a Medicinal Bioinorganic Chemist, who is currently the a researcher in the School of Science and was the inaugural Academic Lead for the Science in Australia Gender Equity initiative at Western Sydney University (2015-2024).

She undertook a BSc in applied science at University of Technology, Sydney, work in the chemical industry for some years before returning to undertake a PhD at Macquarie University. Her PhD thesis was awarded the Cornforth Medal for the best Chemistry PhD in Australia 1993, and she now has a strong international research reputation in anticancer prodrug design. She has been awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Excellence in Postgraduate research supervision three times and has mentored 36 PhD, 27 Masters and 38 Honours candidatures. She has published over 150 papers, holds patents, is a fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. She is an important mentor to early career academics and a strong advocate for gender equity.

Professor Janice Aldrich-Wright initially made significant contributions to the investigation of metal complex-DNA interactions. Work initiated at WSU has demonstrated that both Δ- and Δ-[Ru(2,9-phenMe₂)₂(dpq/dppz)]²⁺ bind to the oligonucleotide d(GTCGAC)₂ by intercalation within the minor groove. These were the first NMR experiments to demonstrate this function and while controversial, were significant because the differences in binding of these simple complexes must be well understood if sequence-selective binding by metal complexes is to be realised. This work inspired researchers to re-investigate the DNA interactions of metal complexes with a less prejudiced view. The findings of this research were finally confirmed by X-ray structure analysis for more than one complex of this type in Nature Chemistry in 2012.

Her ongoing research at WSU and innovative complex design has invented a new class of platinum(II) and (IV) anticancer complexes that has resulted in patents. These complexes are extremely potent, work differently than current clinically used anticancer platinum drugs and examples have been shown to irradicate breast cancer in rats in 4 weeks. Method development has delivered green chemistry alternatives for the platinum(II) and (IV) anticancer complexes synthesis which will simply and reduce the energy consumption and waste produced during manufacture.

This method research reports upon green methods which reduce/eliminate the use or production of environmentally unsustainable materials. And is at the forefront of synthetic chemistry which is needed by the global communities for evolution of synthetic chemistry practises in industry. Universities will be required to training future chemists providing the foundational elements of mechanics and innovation in this area.

Aldrich-Wright is Professor of Chemistry and has held the following positions:

Interim Dean of the Graduate Research School (1.0) (2024-2025)

Associate Dean of Engagement and Advancement in the School of Science at WSU (0.8) (2024).

Deputy Dean of the Graduate Research School (0.8) (2022-2023)

Associate Dean-Higher Degree Research for the School of Science (2020-2023)

Academic Lead for the WSU Science Australia Gender and Equity (SAGE) Initiative (2015-2023)

Director of Research, School of Science and Health Science at WSU (2018-2019)

Professor (2010-ongoing) at WSU

Associate Professor (2005-2009) at WSU

Honours coordinator College of Science, Technology and Environment, at WSU (2006-2010)

Senior Lecturer at WSU (2000-2004)

Lecturer at WSU (1994-1999)

Associate Lecturer at WSU (1993-1994)

Scientific Officer at WSU (1991-1993)

Tutor at Nepean/CAE (1987-91)

Tutor at TAFE (1985-87)

Various Industrial Experience (1977-1984)