Dr Sianne Schwikkard
Faculties, departments and locations
- Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry
- Penrhyn Road
- Health, Education and Society
Senior lecturer
- Email:
- [email protected]
About
I completed my PhD in Natural Products Chemistry at the University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa in 1998. The complexity and beauty of natural compounds fascinated me and has led to a life-long pursuit of both novel compounds from plant sources as well as the synthesis of these compounds. Plants can produce a range and diversity of chemical entities unparalleled by synthetic efforts and displaying an unsurprising range of biological activities. My research career was developed through a post-doctoral fellowship at Virginia Tech under Professor David Kingston, followed by a post-doctoral position at the Rand Academic University under Professor Fanie Van Heerden. I spent a short 18 months working in the petrochemical industry for Sasol Technology before relocating to the UK and working for Professor Keith Jones at Kingston University.
I spent 11 years as a part-time lecturer at Kingston University and research associate at Surrey University before I joined Kingston University full time in September 2015.
While at the University of Surrey, I was awarded a Daphne Jackson Fellowship and I have maintained links with the Daphne Jackson Trust.
Qualifications
- PhD (Natural Products, University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa)
- MSc
- BSc (Hons)
- BSc
- AFHEA
- FHEA
Domains
My background in natural products and synthetic organic chemistry has allowed me the opportunity to teach across all three departments in the School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry. This had given me an appreciation for the challenges faced by students across the school.
Having lived and worked in three different countries in very different parts of the world (South Africa, America and UK) gives me a broad experience and sympathy for students from a diverse range of backgrounds, facing a diverse range of challenges in their education.
Having completed the AFHEA and the FHEA has provided me with the necessary skills to engage and challenge different students with different educational needs.
I was the lead for the Personal Tutor Scheme for the Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Science from 2018-2023. The personal and tailored support a personal tutor can provide for a student has a positive impact on their university experience and can significantly impact on their academic success. In addition it is essential that the academic staff acting as personal tutors have adequate support as the role can be challenging. It was my privilege to work with colleagues across the department to develop an excellent program of support for our students.
Keeping on the fore front of my research field positively impacts on my teaching as I am better able to inspire my students with relevant and novel research in their chosen fields of study. Teaching should always include cutting edge research in the field to ensure that students are aware of new developments and challenges.
I am currently Course Director for Chemistry as well as Admissions Tutor for the Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and work closely with our recruitment and outreach team. In addition I have established a collaboration with the EDT (Engineering Development Trust). This is an organisation working to promote STEM subjects and encourage school leavers to consider STEM careers. This has allowed our staff to deliver workshops and lectures to school leavers throughout the UK.
Qualifications
- AFHEA
- FHEA
Course director
Courses taught
I have an interest in bioactive natural products, both isolated from plant sources as well as their synthetic analogues. My two main areas of research are eye diseases characterised by neovascularisation and the development of new drugs targeting drug resistant bacteria. I have a particular interest in compounds known as homoisoflavonoids, isolated primarily from the Hyacinthaceae (Asparagaceae). These compounds have a range of interesting biological activities including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic effects. They have been identified as potential new sources of treatment for macular degeneration and other eye diseases characterised by angiogenesis.
My work on macular degeneration is carried out in collaboration with the University of Surrey and the University of Toronto (previously University of Indiana). The work has been highlighted by this article in the Daily Mail
In addition, I am collaborating with Professor Raid Alany and Dr Ali Al-Kinani to look at the effect of these compounds on diseases of the cornea.
Together with Dr Alison Kelly of Kingston University (microbiology) we are investigating the effect of natural products and synthetic analogues of natural products on antibiotic resistant bacteria. We are looking at compounds isolated from East African Croton species as well as curcumin and piperidone derivatives. Work has also begun on the effect of Ardisia extracts and isolates on Leishmaniasis (together with Dr Lizzie Wadsworth, Kingston University).
An ongoing and highly productive collaboration with the Jodrell laboratory and the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew has allowed me to investigate interesting and under researched plant species as well as allowing my students to experience this world class laboratory.
I am first supervisor for 1 PhD student, 1 MRes student and second supervisor for 4 PhD students. I have 3 completions for MSc by research as first supervisor and 1 as second supervisor, as well as, 4 PhD completions as second supervisor (University of Surrey and Kingston University) and 1 as first supervisor.
Qualifications
- Natural Products Chemistry
- Synthesis of Natural products
- Chromatography
- Spectroscopy
Specialisms
- Natural products Chemistry
- Synthesis of Natural products
- Chromatography
- Spectroscopy
Scholarly affiliations
- Royal Society of Chemistry
- Society for Medicinal Plants and Natural products Research (GA)
I am currently serving on the committee assessing the applications for the RSC Research Fund.
I have maintained links with the Daphne Jackson Trust and have given a number of talks at events they have organised on employability and getting people back to work in research after a career break. The Trust provides Fellowships for people who have had to take a career break to allow them to restart their research career. It provides vital opportunities for people to update their skills and allow them to complete on an equal playing field.
I am the Admissions Tutor for the Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Course Director for Chemistry.
University responsibilities
- Admissions Tutor for Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Science and Course Director for Chemistry
Publications
Revisiting curcumin, an old ‘friend’ in the era of antimicrobial resistance
Denison, H J, Schwikkard, S L, Khoder, M and Kelly, A F, 2026, Planta Medica (92), 03pp 242-242, Published
Sulphur analogues of homoisoflavonoids as potential treatments for neovascular eye diseases
Hiles, Jacob D., Deri, Ola, Sishtla, Kamakshi, Bear, Joseph C., Cockcroft, Jeremy K., Opara, Elizabeth I., Al-Kinani, Ali A., Alany, Raid G., Corson, Timothy W. and Schwikkard, Sianne L., 2026, ChemMedChem (21), 2, Published
Crotoscheffleriolides, ent-clerodane diterpenoids from Kenyan Croton scheffleri
Diri, Mona, Langat, Moses K., Mas-Claret, Eduard, Prescott, Thomas A.K., Cruz, Cristina D., Tammela, Päivi and Schwikkard, Sianne, 2025, Phytochemistry (235), Published
The fabrication of superhydrophobic coatings using food-grade wax dispersions
Resendiz-Diaz, Brenda, Sadler, Emma, Schwikkard, Sianne, Bear, Joseph C. and Crick, Colin R., 2025, Advanced Materials Interfaces (12), 12, Published
Antibacterial ent -trachyloban-19-oic acid and other constituents from Croton kinondoensis G.W. Hu, Ngumbau & Q.F. Wang
Diri, Mona, Cruz, Cristina D., Mas-Claret, Eduard, Sadgrove, Nicholas, Prescott, Thomas A.K., Langat, Moses K., Tammela, Päivi and Schwikkard, Sianne L, 2024, Natural Product Research, E-pub ahead of print
Building community and offering food support to university students: the KingsGate student pantry
Sumpter, S., Clay, S., Harper, P., Schwikkard, S. and Mulrooney, H., 2024, Proceedings of the Nutrition Society (83), OCE4, Published
Review: The chemistry, toxicity and antibacterial activity of curcumin and its analogues
Denison, Hannah J., Schwikkard, Sianne L., Khoder, Mouhamad and Kelly, Alison F., 2023, Planta Medica, E-pub ahead of print
Sustained release ocular drug delivery systems for glaucoma therapy
Al-Qaysi, Zinah K., Beadham, Ian G., Schwikkard, Sianne L., Bear, Joseph C., Al-Kinani, Ali A. and Alany, Raid G., 2023, Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery, E-pub ahead of print
Investigation into the synthesis and antibacterial activity of curcumin analogues against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria
Denison, Hannah, Kelly, Alison, Schwikkard, Sianne and Khoder, Mouhamad, 2023, Planta Medica, Published
Short lecture "synthetic homoisoflavonoids for the treatment of choroidal neovascularisation"
Griffin, Elisha, Mulholland, Dulcie A., Schwikkard, Sianne and Corson, Timothy, 2023, Planta Medica (89), 14, Published
Pharmacological treatment strategies of pterygium: drugs, biologics, and novel natural products
Baheran, Sanaz Sadig, Alany, Raid G., Schwikkard, Sianne, Muen, Wisam, Salman, Lena Namaan, Freestone, Nicholas and Al-Kinani, Ali A., 2022, Drug Discovery Today, E-pub ahead of print
Multi-layered antimicrobial synergism of (E)-caryophyllene with minor compounds, tecleanatalensine B and normelicopine, from the leaves of 'Vepris gossweileri' (I. Verd.) Mziray
Langat, Moses K., Mayowa, Yisau, Sadgrove, Nicholas, Danyaal, Mohammed, Prescott, Thomas A.K., Kami, Teva, Schwikkard, Sianne, Barker, James and Cheek, Martin, 2022, Natural Product Research (36), 10pp 2447-2457, Published
Natural and synthetic homoisoflavonoids and related compounds for the treatment of macular degeneration
Schwikkard, S, Hiles, J, Opara, E, Whitmore, H, Corson, T and Mulholland, D, 2022, Planta Medica (88), 15, Published
Synthesis of derivatised homoisoflavonoids to target ocular angiogenesis
Griffin, E, Jefford, H, Schwikkard, S, Corson, T and Mulholland, D, 2022, Planta Medica (88), 15, Published
Synthesis and evaluation of bis(imino)anthracene derivatives as G-quadruplex ligands
Coban, Tomris, Robertson, Cameron, Schwikkard, Sianne, Singer, Richard and LeGresley, Adam, 2021, MedChemComm (5)pp 751-757, Published
The effect of isolates from 'Cassipourea flanaganii' (Schinz) alston, a plant used as a skin lightning agent, on melanin production and tyrosinase inhibition
Langat, Moses K., Dlova, Ncoza C., Mulcahy-Ryan, Lauren E., Schwikkard, Sianne L., Opara, Elizabeth I., Crouch, Neil R., Hiles, Jacob D. and Mulholland, Dulcie A., 2021, Journal of Ethnopharmacology (264), Published
Bufadienolides and anti-angiogenic homoisoflavonoids from 'Rhodocodon cryptopodus', 'Rhodocodon rotundus' and 'Rhodocodon cyathiformis'
Whitmore, Hannah, Sishtla, Kamakshi, Knirsch, Walter, Andriantiana, Jacky L., Schwikkard, Sianne, Mas-Claret, Eduard, Nassief, Sarah M., Isyaka, Sani M., Corson, Timothy W. and Mulholland, Dulcie A., 2020, Fitoterapia (141), Published
The antiangiogenic activity of naturally occurring and synthetic homoisoflavonoids from the Hyacinthaceae (sensu APGII)
Schwikkard, Sianne, Whitmore, Hannah, Sishtla, Kamakshi, Sulaiman, Rania S., Shetty, Trupti, Basavarajappa, Halesha D., Waller, Catherine, Alqahtani, Alaa, Frankemoelle, Lennart, Chapman, Andy, Crouch, Neil, Wetschnig, Wolfgang, Knirsch, Walter, Andriantiana, Jacky, Mas-Claret, Eduard, Langat, Moses K., Mulholland, Dulcie and Corson, Timothy W., 2019, Journal of Natural Products (82), 5pp 1227-1239, Published
Melanin production inhibitors from the West African 'Cassipourea congoensis'
Takou, Dieudonne M., Kamdem Waffo, Alain F., Langat, Moses K., Wansi, Jean D., Mulcahy-Ryan, Lauren E., Schwikkard, Sianne L., Opara, Elizabeth I., Mas-Claret, Eduard and Mulholland, Dulcie A., 2019, Planta Medica International Open (6), 02, Published
Antiangiogenic activity and cytotoxicity of triterpenoids and homoisoflavonoids from 'Massonia pustulata' and 'Massonia bifolia'
Schwikkard, Sianne L., Whitmore, Hannah, Corson, Timothy W., Sishtla, Kamakshi, Langat, Moses K., Carew, Mark and Mulholland, Dulcie A., 2018, Planta Medica (84)pp 638-644, Published
Diterpenoids from the roots of 'Croton dichogamus' Pax
Aldhaher, Areej, Langat, Moses, Ndunda, Beth, Chirchir, Denis, Midiwo, Jacob O., Njue, Alice, Schwikkard, Sianne, Carew, Mark and Mulholland, Dulcie, 2017, Phytochemistry (144)pp 1-8, Published
Phytochemical investigations of three Rhodocodon (Hyacinthaceae Sensu APG II) species
Schwikkard, Sianne, Alqahtani, Alaa, Knirsch, Walter, Wetschnig, Wolfgang, Jaksevicius, Andrius, Opara, Elizabeth I., Langat, Moses K., Andriantiana, Jackie L. and Mulholland, Dulcie A., 2017, Journal of Natural Products (80), 1pp 30-37, Published
New terpenoids from Croton dichogamus Pax.
Aldhaher, AHS, Langat, MK, Schwikkard, SL, Carew, M and Mulholland, DA, 2016, Planta Medica (82), S1, Published
Novel bioactive homoisoflavonoids from Madagascan Rhodocodon species (Hyacinthaceae, sensu APG II)
Whitmore, H, Mulholland, DA, Schwikkard, SL, Knirsch, W, Sulaiman, RS and Corson, TW, 2016, Planta Medica (82), S1, Published
Chemical constituents from Xylocarpus rumphii (Meliaceae)
Erza, L, Waratchareeyakul, W, Chantrapromma, K, Chantrapromma, S, Langat, MK, Schwikkard, SL and Mulholland, DA, 2015, Planta Medica, Published
Vasorelaxant studies on stilbenoids and phenanthrene derivatives from Brasiliorchis porphyrostele Rchb.f. (Orchidaceae)
Waratchareeyakul, W, Rocco, A, Fusi, F, Schwikkard, Sianne, Knirsch, Walter and Mulholland, DA, 2015, Planta Medica (81), 16, Published
Chemical constituents from Maxillaria porphyrostele (Orchidaceae)
Schwikkard, SL, Waratchareeyakul, W, Knirsch, W and Mulholland, DA, 2014, Planta Medica (80), 10, Published
Useful Methods for Targeted Plant Selection in the Discovery of Potential New Drug Candidates
Schwikkard, Sianne L. and Mulholland, Dulcie A., 2014, Planta Medica (80), 14pp 1154-1160, Published
The chemistry and biological activity of the Hyacinthaceae
Mulholland, Dulcie A., Schwikkard, Sianne L. and Crouch, Neil R., 2013, Natural Product Reports (30), 9pp 1165-1210, Published
Anti-infective compounds from South African plants
Van Heerden, FR, Lourens, ACU, Schwikkard, SL, Smith, KA, Steyl, E and Van Vuuren, SF, 2008, Planta Medica, Published
The effect of aromatic ethers on the trimerisation of ethylene using a chromium catalyst and aryloxy ligands
Morgan, David H., Schwikkard, Sianne L., Dixon, John T., Nair, Jerald J. and Hunter, Roger, 2003, Advanced Synthesis and Catalysis (345), 8pp 939-942, Published
Antimalarial activity of plant metabolites
Schwikkard, Sianne and van Heerden, Fanie R., 2002, Natural Product Reports (19), 6pp 675-692, Published
Delevoyin C, a tetranortriterpenoid from Entandrophragma delevoyi
Mulholland, Dulcie A., Schwikkard, Sianne L., Sandor, Peter and Nuzillard, Jean M., 2000, Phytochemistry (53), 4pp 465-468, Published
Bioactive Compounds from Combretum erythrophyllum
Schwikkard, Sianne, Zhou, Bing-Nan, Glass, Thomas E., Sharp, Jessica L., Mattern, Michael R., Johnson, Randall K. and Kingston, David G. I., 2000, Journal of Natural Products (63), 7pp 1045-1046, Published
Bioactive Compounds from Combretum erythrophyllum
Schwikkard, Sianne, Zhou, Bing Nan, Glass, Thomas E., Sharp, Jessica L., Mattern, Michael R., Johnson, Randall K. and Kingston, David G.I., 2000, Journal of Natural Products (63), 4pp 457-460, Published
Limonoid derivatives from Astrotrichilia voamatata
Mulholland, Dulcie A., Randrianarivelojosia, Milijaona, Lavaud, Catherine, Nuzillard, Jean Marc and Schwikkard, Sianne L., 2000, Phytochemistry (53), 1pp 115-118, Published
Limonoids from Astrotrichilia voamatata
Mulholland, Dulcie A., Schwikkard, Sianne L. and Randrianarivelojosia, Milijaona, 1999, Phytochemistry (52), 4pp 705-707, Published
Phaeophytins from Tapura fischeri
Schwikkard, Sianne L., Mulholland, Dulcie A. and Hutchings, Anne, 1998, Phytochemistry (49), 8pp 2391-2394, Published
Novel, bioactive homoisoflavonoids from a Madagascan Rhodocodon species (Hyacinthaceae, sensu APG II)
Schwikkard, S., James, E. E., Mulholland, D. A., Knirsch, W., Corson, T., Opara, E. and Jaksevicius, A.(2015). [Published]
Gallery of work
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Hyacinthaceae plant containing homoisoflavonoids
Plant investigated as part of the search for novel homoisoflavonoids
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Presenting in Kenya at the Newton Fund and UK Research Council Collaborative Conference 2017
The work on synthesis of bioactive homoisoflavonoid for the treatment of macular degneration
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Hannah Denison (PhD student) presenting at the GA conference in Dublin 2023
Poster Presentation (Hannah Denison, PhD student) on Antimicrobial Curcumin Derivatives at the GA Conference in Dublin 2023
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Kingston University, Surrey University and Collaborators from University of Indiana at Wisley Gardens 2023
Kingston University, Surrey University and Collaborators from University of Indiana at Wisley Gardens
