Rate My Professor Andrea Vernall

The Vernall research group develops heterocyclic small molecules, peptidomimetics, and fluorescent tools targeting receptors in the human body to better understand disease processes and cell signalling. Key efforts concentrate on G protein-coupled receptors, particularly adenosine and cannabinoid receptors. The group also pursues small molecule ligands for modulating immune responses and new methods to study antibiotic resistance. Dr Vernall has co-authored several significant publications, including Wedlock, L. E., Lamichhane, R., Webley, M. C., Gilmer, S. C. L., Vernall, A. J., & Ussher, J. E. (2026). IL-21 selectively augments cytotoxic potential of antigen-activated MAIT cells. European Journal of Immunology, 56(2), e70154; Gilmer, S. C. L., & Vernall, A. J. (2025). Bioorthogonal fluorogenic chemistry using a light-activated tetrazine. Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry (advance online); Tyndall, J. D. A., Putha, L., Kok, L. K., Fellner, M., Rutledge, M. T., Gamble, A. B., Wilbanks, S. M., & Vernall, A. J. (2024). Covalent inhibition of macrophage migration inhibitory factor by isothiocyanates as potential colorectal cancer leads. Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry Conference, p. 67; and Gilmer, S. C. L., Tyndall, J. D. A., & Vernall, A. J. (2024). Development of bifunctional chemical tools for the adenosine A1 Receptor. Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry Conference, p. 51. She has supervised doctoral research on bifunctional chemical tools for adenosine A1 receptors, fluorescent ligands for CB2 receptors, and related topics. Dr Vernall contributes to teaching CHEM 202, CHEM 205, CHEM 305, and CHEM 461.