Professional experience

Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Western Sydney University

January 2022 – December 2024

I managed a team and performed research as part of a university, industry, and government co-funded project to develop novel strategies to manage major diseases affecting the broccolini industry with a major focus on microbial and phytohormonal solutions.

Key responsibilities and achievements

Performed glasshouse and national field trials. Identified novel APVMA approved microbial and metabolic/phytohormone products for suppression of a major root pathogen affecting the industry.
Collected samples from multiple farms across Australia and compared microbial communities between healthy and diseased sites. Identified beneficial microbes associated with healthy sites for bioprospecting.
Prepared industry reports and manuscripts for publication in refereed journals and presented research findings at national and international seminars and conferences including the Australasian Plant Pathology Society and Australasian Soilborne Diseases.
Participated in student research supervision including co-supervision of a PhD student, teaching undergraduate laboratory practicals, and mentoring students.

Bioinformatic Research Assistant - Western Sydney University

December 2020 – December 2021

I performed bioinformatic analyses to identify biomarkers for the identification of resistant Eucalyptus germplasm and early pathogen detection.

Key responsibilities and achievements

Processed and analysed large-scale integrated biological data including RNA-seq, small RNA-seq and metabolomics as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Managed the data and developed workflows in accordance with workplace policies for reproducible research.
Prepared reports for funding partners, and manuscripts for publication in refereed journals.
Identified key biomarkers associated with resistant germplasm and early infection to assist biosecurity monitoring.