Nicholas Hunt

Nicholas Hunt is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, at the University of Sydney. He earned a BSc (Hons) from the University of New South Wales School of Chemistry (2001-2004) and a PhD in neurochemistry and pathology from the University of Sydney (2014-2016). Following his PhD, he conducted postdoctoral research in biogerontology at Concord Repatriation General Hospital (2017-2018), investigating pharmaceutical impacts on aging liver in vivo and in vitro. He then served as Lecturer (2018-2020) before advancing to his current Senior Lecturer position at Concord Clinical School.

Hunt's research focuses on the development and translation of nanobiotechnology for oral insulin delivery, immune regulation, and gene therapy. His work involves synthesizing quantum dots and nanoparticles to enhance targeted drug delivery for metabolic diseases, particularly addressing age-related changes in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. A major breakthrough is the oral insulin formulation using insulin-conjugated silver sulfide quantum dots coated with chitosan/glucose polymer, which safeguards insulin from stomach acid, enables pH-responsive release, and minimizes hypoglycemia risks. Published in Nature Nanotechnology in 2024, this innovation has spurred the founding of Endo Axiom Pty Ltd, where Hunt is CEO and co-founder, with human clinical trials slated for 2025. Other key publications include "Quantum Dot Nanomedicine Formulations Dramatically Improve Pharmacological Properties and Alter Uptake Pathways of Metformin and Nicotinamide Mononucleotide in Aging Mice" (ACS Nano, 2021), "Oral nanotherapeutic formulation of insulin with reduced episodes of hypoglycaemia" (2024), and "PACA nanoparticles target and deliver sildenafil to rejuvenate aged mouse liver sinusoidal endothelial cells" (2025). Hunt has been honored with the 2021 Australian Diabetes Society Skip Martin Early Career Fellowship, Sydney Nano ECR Support Award, NanoPitch Health 2024 Best Pitch Winner ($100,000), and the 2022 SOAR prize, underscoring his impact in bridging research and clinical translation.

Professional Email: nick.hunt@sydney.edu.au