About
We are a team of organic chemists, biochemists, and analysts carrying out fundamental, applied and commercial research together with student supervision.
We tackle a broad range of applied chemistry problems related to issues including our health and wellbeing and the sustainability of our environment. Our scientists have deep experience in synthetic carbohydrate and medicinal chemistry, synthetic and chemical biology, plant natural products and polysaccharide analysis.
We are a close-knit team with a strong family feel—several of us have worked together for nearly to 30 years. Visitors, new staff and students will find a warm welcome with us. We are encouraged to be independent, curious and creative; to share our successes and discuss our chemistry problems. We strive for excellence in every aspect of our research, collaboration and communication. You can find out more about the individual members of our team on our staff pages.
Please note: Intellectual property from our research programmes are available for licence, while IP generated during fee-for-service work remains with the client.
Our people
Science leaders
Our science and commercialisation leaders have diverse backgrounds but together provide a wealth of expertise for clients and collaborators.
Staff
Meet the administration and research staff who make up the Ferrier team.
Collaborators
Find out more about the collaborators and partners we work with to bring new technologies and drugs to market.
More about us
History
Find out more about our origins from being part of Industrial Research Limited to joining Victoria University of Wellington in 2014.
Ferrier lecture
Our annual lecture is given each year in honour of the late Professor Robin Ferrier, and sees leading chemistry researchers visit our institute.
Our Māori name
Te kāuru, which translates as ‘the source’ has two important meanings which relate to our institute.