Ádám István Mechler is a materials scientist and academic most known for his research on intermolecular interactions in physical chemistry, as well as on molecular machines, hierarchical metamaterials, and self-assembling systems inspired by biology.

In 2004, he moved to Australia to Monash University, where he established his independent research program focusing on biomolecule self-assembly, membrane biophysics, and peptide-membrane interactions while continuing to explore bioinspired materials and bioactive natural products.

[12] Using quartz crystal microbalance and atomic force microscopy, Mechler and his research group investigated how specific antimicrobial peptides secreted by insects such as honeybees and amphibians such as Australian tree frogs disrupt bacterial membranes.

[13] Among other contributions, his research introduced oncocin, a novel antimicrobial peptide optimized for treating Gram-negative bacteria, showing effective activity and improved stability in mouse serum without causing lysis or toxicity.

[17] In a joint study, Mechler established that 14-helical N-acetyl β3-peptides self-assemble into nanofibers and that their morphology, such as nano-beams and dendritic structures, can be tuned by adjusting the solvent and inter-fibril interactions, enabling new bio- and nanomaterial applications.