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courtney_resizedPhD, BSc(Hons) (UWA)

Tel +64 3 479 5288
Location Science II, 5n1
Email courtney.ennis@otago.ac.nz

Research interests

The Ennis group is interested in the application of laboratory infrared spectroscopy (including cryogenic thin-film FTIR, matrix isolation, synchrotron far-IR and THz, and aerosol scattering techniques), to characterise crystalline solids.

These investigations are often performed in the context of solid-state astrochemistry, molecular crystals, and supramolecular gas sorption studies where information on UV photochemistry, crystal morphology, and intermolecular interactions within the bulk material to be gathered.

These infrared techniques are coupled with periodic DFT frequency calculations for characterisation of many physicochemical properties of the crystal-phase.

For more detailed information about the Ennis Group research projects and laboratory capabilities please visit our UO Blog:
Courtney Ennis University of Otago blog

Professional background

2018 – present, Senior Lecturer, University of Otago
2015 – 2018, ARC DECRA Research Fellow, La Trobe University, Australia
2014 – 2015, Postdoctoral Fellow, Australian Synchrotron/La Trobe University, Australia
2012 – 2013, Postdoctoral Fellow, University College London, United Kingdom
2009 – 2011, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, USA
2005 – 2009, PhD (Physical Chemistry), University of Western Australia, Australia

Publications

Smith, J. N., Ennis, C., Doan, H. V., Ting, V. P., & White, N. G. (2026). Conversion between 2- and 3-dimensional halogen-bonded networks formed from a single N-oxide/iodoalkyne building block. Chemistry: A European Journal. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/chem.71010 Journal - Research Article

Francis, T. A., Cable, M. L., Maynard-Casely, H. E., Chaouche-Mechidal, N., Vu, T. H., Hodyss, R., & Ennis, C. (2026). An exploration of the three phenylacetylene polymorphs and discovery of a benzene-phenylacetylene co-crystal by vibrational spectroscopy and powder diffraction. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 28, 6214. doi: 10.1039/d5cp04929f Journal - Research Article

Lopes Cavalcante, L., Maynard-Casely, H. E., Cable, M. L., Duyker, S. G., Fayolle, E. C., Hodyss, R., … Ennis, C. (2026). Crystal structure of diacetylene unveiled by X-ray and neutron diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and periodic DFT. IUCrJ, 13, 94-104. doi: 10.1107/s2052252525010486 Journal - Research Article

Nguyen, A. T. A., Khakre, Y., Avishai, A., Kawakami, M., Ennis, C., & Marinescu, S. C. (2025). Tunability of nickel benzenehexathiolate electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1021/acsami.5c11085 Journal - Research Article

Angeloski, A., Galaviz, P., Mole, R. A., Piltz, R. O., McDonagh, A. M., Ennis, C., & Appadoo, D. (2025). Manipulating a thermosalient crystal using selective deuteration. Journal of the American Chemical Society. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1021/jacs.5c01140 Journal - Research Article

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