Biography
The majority of my academic research career has focused on microbial cell-cell interactions and mechanisms of adaptation to environmental conditions. The goal of this body of work has been to develop a deep understanding of the mechanisms by which bacteria mediate these responses and the impacts of those responses on the behaviour and function of bacteria. In particular, my work has focused on how and why bacteria make biofilms, including the genetics of biofilm formation, biochemistry of the underlying communities, as well as the biophysical properties of the extracellular biofilm matrix. I have a keen interest in how microbial communities interact with their environment and host and how those communities drive specific properties of those environments and hosts. As a consequence of this focus, my research has always had strengths in both fundamental, discovery science as well as translation of those discoveries into applications for the control and manipulation of microbial systems.
Academic Qualifications
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1989
BSc, Biology
Virginia Tech -
1991
MSc, Biology
The University of North Carolina, Charlotte -
1996
PhD, Microbiology
The University of Tennessee
Current Roles
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Director
Microbiomes for One Systems Health, FSP -
Principal Investigator
Agriculture and Food, Westmead
Professional Experiences
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2014-2021
Associate Prof
The Singapore Centre for Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University -
2012-2014
Visiting Associate Prof
The Singapore Centre for Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University -
2012-2014
Associate Prof
The Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation, The University of New South Wales
ORCID 0000-0002-9486-2343