RESEARCH FOCUS AREACAPABILITY STATEMENT

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Capability Statement

SFWECAPABILITY STATEMENT

RFA: “Securing food, water and the environment for a sustainable future.”

FOOD: “From production to consumption, providing research-driven solutions.”

ENVIRONMENT: “Promoting understanding, conservation and sustainable use of the environment.”

WATER: “Providing essential understanding for the management of our most valuable asset.”

‘There is in fact no distinction between the fate of the land and its people…’ –WENDELL E. BERRY, AMERICAN NOVELIST, POET, ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST, CULTURAL CRITIC AND FARMER

CONTENTSOverview: La Trobe University Research Focus Areas P 5

About us: Securing Food, Water and the Environment RFA P 7

Our investment in achievement P 9

Competitive advantage and key expertise P 9

Our people P 10

SFWE research strengths and priorities P 14

SFWE Research Clusters: P 15 Food Water Environment

Laboratories and Research Platforms: Overview and capabilities P 25

Value-added services P 27

Education P 27

Working together: Nurturing research, industry and community partnerships and engagement P 28

Index (SFWE research members) P 31

Contacts and further information P 32

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La Trobe University Research Focus AreasLa Trobe aims to be known for excellence and innovation in addressing the big issues of our time, for leading the way in developing creative and innovative responses to the fundamental challenges facing the world today.

To support this vision, five cross-disciplinary Research Focus Areas (RFAs) have been established. These RFAs identify and build on our strengths and address some of the most pressing issues affecting the future of human societies and their environment.

They are:

n Securing food, water and the environment

n Sport, exercise and rehabilitation

n Understanding disease

n Building healthy communities

n Transforming human societies.

The RFAs act as a coordinating lens, and are emblematic of our multidisciplinary and collaborative approach to research. The RFAs also inform our investment and research choices, including graduate research degree scholarship priorities (up to 200 scholarships per year), and reflect our ambition to be at the centre of important social, economic, political and scientific developments.

The RFAs are led by recognised academic leaders responsible for engaging researchers across disciplinary boundaries. The critical mass of expertise and capability in the RFAs broadens the opportunities for collaboration and partnerships.

La Trobe is investing $3.75 million over five years (2013-2017) in each of the RFAs. These five RFAs contribute significantly to our research goals and continue to provide the opportunity for enlightened and innovative investigations in areas of global importance.

$3.75 millionLa Trobe investment in each RFA over five years

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Capability Statement

About usSECURING FOOD, WATER AND THE ENVIRONMENT RFA

Securing Food, Water and the Environment (SFWE) aims to foster research that finds solutions and implements processes that address the global challenge of securing food, water and environmental integrity. The use of our environment to provide food and shelter for humans needs to be balanced with maintaining environmental health in order to secure a sustainable future for all living things.

Identified challenges include:

n food security

n drought

n land degradation and desertification

n climate change and variability

n water scarcity

n irretrievable loss of biodiversity

n stressed and dysfunctional ecosystems

n agricultural and food supply-chain losses

n waste

n sustainable agriculture

n food and health.

SWFE’s research focus is at the intersection of disciplines including science, sociology, planning, policy development, economics, law, education and communication. We see the collaborative sum of our specialties and expertise as being far greater than its parts. The expertise in science spans from agriculture production, water and enviromental sustainability to food, nutrition and diet in the modern world.

The expertise in science spans from agriculture production, water and

enviromental sustainability to food, nutrition and diet

in the modern world.

Securing Food, Water and the Environment

EXISTING RESEARCH FOCUSES WITHIN THE RFASWFE aims to support:

n thriving communities in ways that also deliver healthy and resilient ecosystems

n ecosystems that are able to provide food, nutrition, energy, water and other products and services

n products and services essential for human wellbeing, and the wellbeing of the organisms with which we share the planet.

Food

EnvironmentWater

Soil science

Plant improvement

On-farm extension

Livestock improvement

Economic modelling

Decision theory

Urban and environmental water

management

Strategic communication

Creative arts and creative thinking

Livestock protection

Plant protection

Behaviour change

Peri-urban development

Fire ecology

Restoration ecology

Evolution and population genetics

Taxonomy

Environmental education

Environmental flows

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Capability Statement

Our investment in achievementThrough the SFWE RFA, La Trobe is investing in research leadership and research teams, building on existing strength areas including life sciences, water management and policy, and planning and communication.

We are capitalising on the significant investments we have made with AgriBio, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, the Research and Development Park, the Northern Biosciences Precinct, the Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre and the La Trobe Rural Health School.

Over the next 25 years, $1 billion will be invested with our partners in the Centre for AgriBioscience (AgriBio) to provide the research and innovation that will be required to underpin sustainable agriculture in the coming decades.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE AND KEY EXPERTISEOur reputationLa Trobe is recognised nationally and worldwide for delivering high-quality teaching and research. In the 2015 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) assessment, La Trobe ranked:n the best university in Australia for Biological Sciences (equal with Australian National University)n the best university in Australia for Agricultural and Veterinary Studiesn top rated with only two other Australian universities in Veterinary Sciences, Animal Production, Biochemistry

and Cell Biology, and Other Medical and Health Sciencen top rated with three other Australian universities in Archaeology, Analytical Chemistry, Crop and Pasture

Production, and Microbiology.

La Trobe is among the top 10 universities nationally, and one of the big three in Victoria, when it comes to the number of fields rated well above world standard, and ahead of some smaller Group of Eight universities on this measure. We are also among the top 10 most improving universities since 2012.

Our world-class facilities and personnelThe Centre for AgriBioscience (AgriBio) – a joint initiative of La Trobe University and the Victorian Government’s Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) – brings together more than 400 government and university scientists, researchers, students and support staff, making it the largest agricultural research and development venture in the state. The co-location of resources within AgriBio allows for unique work partnership opportunities and a central location for companies to access world-class research conducted in state-of-the-art facilities.

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Our peopleOur research capacity consists of more than 400 professors, senior research fellows, post-doctoral research fellows, research associates and HDR students.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEProfessor Jim Whelan, Director of Securing Food, Water and the Environment RFA, and Co-Director of AgriBio Highlights of Professor Jim Whelan’s long and successful career include international awards such as the Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (recognised as one of the most highly cited and influential authors by the American Society of Plant Biologists), and more than 10,000 citations for his hundreds of published articles focusing on his research work in plant energy metabolism. Professor Whelan was instrumental in establishing the highly regarded Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, for which he is currently Chief Investigator. He also heads a team of professional scientists and students who are at the cutting edge of research within the Securing Food, Water and the Environment RFA, and is the La Trobe Co-Director, Centre for AgriBioscience (AgriBio).

Associate Professor Paul Brown, Senior Research Scientist, Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre (MDFRC)Associate Professor Brown began work at MDFRC in 2014. His main research area of responsibility is ecological responses to flow manipulations. His research topics of special interest include: fish population dynamics, pest fish biology and population control, recreational fisheries science, and fish-habitat rehabilitation. Prior to commencing at MDFRC, Associate Professor Brown held positions at NSW Fisheries, the Narrandera Fisheries Centre, Fisheries Victoria, the Snobs Creek Research Centre, and the Department of Primary Industries, Queenscliff. His academic qualifications include: M.Phil. from University of Wales at Bangor, under the supervision of Professor C. Rankin; Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Statistics and Computing from University of Wales at Bangor (1989); and B.Sc. (Hons) (Zoology with Marine Zoology) from University of Wales at Bangor (1985). He is also a member of Fisheries Victoria’s Future Fisheries Resource Allocation Working Group.

Dr Aniruddha Desai, Director, Centre for Technology Infusion (CTI) Dr Aniruddha (Ani) Desai holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Electronics, a Master’s degree in Micro-electronics and a PhD in Computer Architecture. He is currently the Director of La Trobe University’s Centre for Technology Infusion, a research and innovation centre specialising in delivering technology-based commercial innovations to industry and government clients. Dr Desai has successfully led several high-profile multi-million-dollar R&D programs at La Trobe University in application areas including intelligent transportation systems, energy management systems, and logistics/supply chain solutions. His work has resulted in several innovative designs and patent applications which have underpinned a number of new start-up companies. Dr Desai has received industry awards recognising excellence in R&D innovation at state, national and international levels. Nearly every major project delivered by Dr Desai has involved live field use of the new technology or solution, and many of his projects have been profiled on TV, radio and in print media. Dr Desai has been invited to serve on technical and advisory groups and expert panels for a number of government departments and institutions. He is currently also the Chief Technology Officer of Sensadata Pty Ltd, an innovative technology company partnering with the Centre for Technology Infusion to develop and commercialise a new intelligent RFID (radio frequency identification) technology-based solution for supply-chain application.

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Professor Nick Bond, Director, Murray-Darling Basin Freshwater Research CentreProfessor Bond’s primary interests are in the effects of flow variability on riverine ecosystems, especially the landscape scale effects of floods and droughts. His research combines empirical field studies with innovative quantitative modelling approaches. Professor Bond has extensive experience working on river management and environmental flow issues in Australia and internationally, and has authored or co-authored more than 50 peer-reviewed papers and numerous peer-reviewed technical reports. His research focus is supported by active engagement with regional, national and international water and natural resource management agencies to support evidence-based planning and decision making.

Dr Travis Beddoe, Senior Lecturer, Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences Dr Beddoe completed a BBiolSc (Hons) at La Trobe University and then PhD at the University of Melbourne, in 2003. He moved to Monash University to undertake post-doctoral studies with Professor Jamie Rossjohn in the area of structural and biophysical analysis of immune receptors. In 2008 he started his own independent laboratory at Monash University in the area of structural biology of host-pathogen interactions, in particular, an emphasis on glycan specificity in bacterial physiology and pathogenesis. In 2014, he commenced a teaching-research role at La Trobe University with broad research interests ranging from animal disease diagnostics to using plants to found new drugs against malaria. Dr Beddoe’s research has been recognised with a number of international and national fellowships and awards, including an NHMRC Peter Doherty Fellowship, NHMRC CDA Fellowship, Pfizer Australia Fellowship, Lorne Conference on Protein Structure and Function Young Investigator Award, Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) Applied Biosystems Edman Award, Monash University Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research by Early Career Researchers, National Association of Research Fellows of NHMRC Post-Doctoral Investigator Award, and Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists and Molecular Biologists Young Investigator Award.

Professor Andrew Bennett, Professor of Ecology in the Department of Ecology, Environment and EvolutionProfessor Bennett completed a PhD at the University of Melbourne, and worked in wildlife research at the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research (Victorian State Government). In 1996 he moved to Deakin University and in 2008 was awarded a Personal Chair in Landscape Ecology. In 2015, he commenced a joint appointment as Professor of Ecology at La Trobe University and a Science Leadership role at the Arthur Rylah Institute. He has broad interests in landscape ecology and conservation biology, with a particular focus on understanding how human land-use and landscape change affect native wildlife and ecological processes. Together with colleagues and research students, he has investigated factors that influence wildlife conservation in agricultural landscapes, the effects of fire on biota (in ecosystems ranging from semi-arid mallee to box-ironbark and foothill forests), and the conservation biology of numerous species of birds and mammals.

Dr Ashley Franks, Reader/Associate Professor in the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and MicrobiologyDr Franks completed his PhD in marine microbial ecology at the University of New South Wales. During his PhD, Dr Franks received an Adrian Lee Fellowship and conducted collaborative research at Exeter University, UK. He was awarded a Government of Ireland Fellowship in Science, Technology and Research for research conducted at the National University of Ireland, University College Cork, regarding microbial interactions in the plant rhizosphere. During this time, he was also part of the European Union Pseudomics project, a collaboration across Ireland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Portugal. Dr Franks then gained a position within the Geobacter Project at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he leads projects in the Extracellular Electron Transfer Group, and was involved in collaborations with research groups at the Naval Research Laboratories, Cornell University, the University of Toronto, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and Harvard University. Since joining La Trobe, Ashley has established the Franks Lab for Applied and Environmental Microbiology, which investigates microbial community structure and functions at interfaces. Together with colleagues and students he has active research projects looking at the interactions of mixed microbial communities with plants, soils, microbiome, electrodes, sewer systems and submarines. For his research he has received a number of awards and funding from national and international sources.

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Associate Professor Heloise Gibb, Future Fellow in the Department of Ecology, Environment and EvolutionAssociate Professor Gibb completed her PhD in 2003, at the University of Sydney. She conducted post-doctoral fellowships at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Umea, Sweden (2003-2005) and CSIRO Entomology, Canberra (2006-2008). In 2009, she moved to La Trobe University to take up a lecturing position in insect ecology, and in 2013 was awarded a Future Fellowship. She has broad interests in invertebrate ecology and conservation, with a particular focus on understanding trait-environment interactions. Her current key projects focus on the impacts of mammal extinctions on invertebrate biodiversity and function, drivers of the structure and function of ant assemblages at local and global scales, and feedbacks between fire litter consumption by invertebrates.

Professor Catherine Itsiopoulos, Head of School of Allied Health, Professor of Dietetics and Human NutritionProfessor Itsiopoulos has more than 25 years of clinical, academic and project management experience. Her recent positions include Associate Professor and Head of Discipline, Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Canberra; Accreditation, Recognition and Education Services Manager with the Dietitians Association of Australia; and Fellow of the Centre of Clinical Research Excellence – Clinical Science in Diabetes at the University of Melbourne. Professor Itsiopoulos has extensive experience and a strong research interest in dietetic training, dietetic competency evaluation and implementation, and international benchmarking of dietetic examination systems. In her role at the Dietitians Association of Australia, Professor Itsiopoulos led projects in international benchmarking of dietetic systems and was instrumental in establishing the formal mutual recognition agreement with the New Zealand Dietitians Board. In this role she also championed the review of the examination systems for dietetic skills recognition and credentialling, and led the development of an enhanced model of examination utilising an online multiple-choice questionnaire format. Professor Itsiopoulos’s major research interests include randomised controlled clinical intervention studies in diabetes, cardiovascular disease and the metabolic syndrome utilising the Mediterranean diet as a model of intervention. Professor Itsiopoulos is also investigating the positive health and mortality profile of Greek-born migrants to Australia who have retained their positive CVD mortality profile despite more than 50 years since immigration.

Dr Suzanne O’Keefe, Associate Professor of Economics in the Department of Economics and FinanceDr O’Keefe’s research interests centre on the challenges of water policy in both urban and environmental settings. In this context, her work has recently focused on the creation and deployment of knowledge, the communication and dissemination of best practice and the use and impact of various incentives. Dr O’Keefe has published in journals such as Agenda, Public Policy, Ecological Economics and Economic Papers. She has extensive contract research experience and has worked on issues such as the economic and social implications of water policy and pricing initiatives for various consumer groups, the challenges of managing environmental water flows, the role for private individuals in the management of environmental water, and the issues surrounding the management of the water resource across jurisdictions.

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Capability Statement

SFWE ADVISORY BOARD

Dr Michael Looker (Chair)Dr Looker is The Nature Conservancy’s Director of Regional Strategies, Infrastructure, Asia Pacific. He is a botanist and conservation leader, a former director of Trust for Nature, and was a senior lecturer in environmental horticulture at the University of Melbourne, and superintendent of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne.

Dr Tony Gregson AM FTSEDr Gregson is a past chair of Plant Health Australia, and a former chair of the Board of Trustees, Bioversity International. Dr Gregson is a grain grower from Victoria’s Wimmera region with an extensive science and corporate research management background. He is Chairman of the Victorian Committee of the Crawford Fund and a board member of the Crawford Fund, and a Commissioner for the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

Professor Barbara Howlett (Honorary, Botany, University of Melbourne)Professor Howlett’s main research interests are fungal genetics and fungal diseases of plants. Most of her research involves Leptosphaeria maculans, the fungus that causes blackleg disease of canola. She also studies sclerotinia stem rot of canola. Many of her findings are of major significance to fungal biology and plant disease. Professor Howlett has previously sat on a regional panel for the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).

Emeritus Professor Barry Hart AMProfessor Hart is Director of Water Science Pty Ltd, a member of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, and member of the board of Alluvium Consulting Pty Ltd. Professor Hart chairs the Victorian Environmental Flows Technical Audit Panel, and is a member of the Independent Technical Panel for the Stockman Mine in Victoria, and the PNG Hidden Valley Gold Mine External Stakeholder Advisory Panel. He is regularly involved with science review committees as chair or a member, most recently in reviews of the surface water management and monitoring associated with the Ranger Uranium Mine in the Northern Territory, the science at the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research in Victoria, the CSIRO Water for a Healthy Country Flagship, the current and future management of water assets in the Geographe Catchment, WA, and the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities.

Greg WarrenMr Warren is Business Manager at BMEET (Barkindji Maraura Elders Environment Team Ltd). Mr Warren is the project manager for its training program, liaising with communities, elders and various government agencies to ensure programs continue effectively.

Securing Food, Water and the Environment

SFWE research strengths and prioritiesThe research questions addressed within the SFWE RFA fall under three major themes, which reflect our strengths and priorities:

1. Raising the efficiency and efficacy of agricultural production: enhancing productivity and sustainability through innovation in bioscience.

2. Safeguarding and improving environmental integrity and the provision of ecosystem services: looking at evolutionary processes and how species and populations cope with global change.

3. Enhancing the communication and application of knowledge to influence policy, planning and decision making when resolving competition over natural resources and their allocation: improving the incorporation of science into planning, policy and decision making, influencing positive human choices and improving our understanding of environmental variability.

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SFWE Research ClustersResearch conducted under the banner of SFWE is grouped into clusters led by senior staff members within La Trobe’s School of Life Sciences. The overall RFA is overseen by the Director, Securing Food, Water and the Environment.

FOOD RESEARCH CLUSTER The Food Research Cluster’s vision is to improve and secure all aspects of food production, from ‘paddock to plate’, spanning all food from plants, animals (meat and dairy), fisheries and aquaculture, and to improve food nutritional value and quality.

An important aspect of the food cluster is to assess health and beneficial aspects of food beyond the basic calorie content, to address major health priorities such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, thereby adding value to the products for primary producers. A theme that runs across the Food Research Cluster is analytics, which allows optimisation of food production from primary producers, management of natural resources, and profiling contents to provide safety, nutrition quality and provenance information for manufacturers and consumers.

Researchers in the Food Research Cluster collaborate with primary industry to provide food crops with enhanced yield and nutrition to add value for primary producers and assure quality for consumers. They also collaborate with the food-manufacturing sector to design foods with enhanced nutritional properties, targeting the prevention and management of chronic disease (e.g. obesity, diabetes, CVD), and in the design of novel functional foods that target niche markets, such as specific food allergies (e.g. gluten free), or fortified foods to prevent and manage nutritional deficiencies or enhance performance (e.g. growth, cognition and sport).

Researchers collaborate across a broad range of scientific disciplines and health expertise to validate health attributes of primary produce and functional foods in human clinical trials. The food product outcomes are then taken to market using expertise in nutrition education and food marketing.

Research capabilitiesn Advanced agricultural science: animal and plant breeding, plant and

animal health, and producing nutritionally enhanced animal and plant products and allergy-friendly products.

n Food analysis and food engineering: evaluating food and ingredients to identify health-promoting compounds and embedding them into the supply chain.

n Clinical trials research (at-risk populations and community-based interventions): demonstrating the health benefits of new foods using clinical trials, working collaboratively with our Academic Research Networks (hospital/health service collaborators).

n Sensor technologies: food distribution tracing, food safety and biosecurity.

Cross-disciplinary collaborationThe Food Research Cluster fosters an integrated, multidisciplinary and translational approach to nutritional and healthy food production, bridging primary industries, manufacturing, and supply of safe food to markets.

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Underpinning academic disciplinesThe multidisciplinary focus of the Food Research Cluster is underpinned by strengths in academic disciplines that have an impact on all aspects of the food supply, including plant and animal biology, molecular profiling, systems biology, omics, human physiology, human nutrition bioscience, dietetics, food technology, marketing, and biostatistics.

Project examples

Novel functional foods for heart health: A focus on lupins

La Trobe researchers are actively working with the lupin industry in Australia to formulate novel functional foods for health.

Context Australia produces close to 80 per cent of the world’s lupin crops, most of which have been used for stockfeed until recently. There is now considerable evidence that incorporating lupin flour into human diets can directly improve health. Lupin kernel flour from Australian sweet lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) has a unique macronutrient composition of 45 per cent protein, 30 per cent dietary fibre, negligible available carbohydrate, minimal starch, and is gluten free. Incorporating lupin flour into baked foods can increase protein and fibre, which are linked to increased satiety, while also reducing the refined carbohydrate content of the food. Currently less than 4 per cent of the world’s lupin production is consumed as a human food. In Europe, however, about half a million tonnes of foods containing lupin ingredients are consumed each year.

ProjectDr Regina Belski, a senior lecturer and researcher at La Trobe University, has previously been involved in research demonstrating the positive effects of regular lupin food consumption on heart health, through a large randomised controlled trial. A team at La Trobe is now working with industry to support the development of food products incorporating lupin flour to enable broader access to these healthy foods for the Australian and international populations. This is likely to have a considerable impact not only on health outcomes, but also improve the per-tonne cost for farmers and increase the regularity of crop rotation, leading to healthier soil. The team is also aiming to investigate the effect of regular lupin intake on the microbiome and to determine the true benefits of lupin for high-risk groups.

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Capability Statement

Using traditional diets to reverse the diabetes epidemic

La Trobe researchers have been investigating the traditional Indian diet and its potential to treat and prevent the high prevalence of diabetes in India and among populations of Indian descent around the world. Currently 62 million people, 7.1 per cent of the population in India, live with the condition. The project has funded research into what is known about traditional Indian diets and current cultural trends. Two studies are detailed here. The first centres on characterising the traditional diet of a healthy, diabetes-free Indian tribe in Ooty, and applying this diet in a community-based intervention to prevent and better manage diabetes.(Researchers: Croxford S, Smith N, Jois M, and Itsiopoulos C, La Trobe University)

Context Traditional diet may be important in the maintenance of health for Toda peoples. The Toda are traditionally buffalo herders and embroiderers. Tribes in the Tamil Nadu region, including the Toda, maintain aspects of their traditional diets and lifestyle and are free of common chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. A geographical move away from the village, or an encroachment of urban sprawl towards a village, are likely to result in changes to traditional diet and health status.

People of Indian descent suffer from higher rates of diabetes when they move away from traditional lifestyles into large cities in India, and when they migrate to countries like Australia. Researchers from La Trobe are working collaboratively with researchers at JSS University in Ooty and Mysore in India to characterise traditional Indian diets, including Ayurvedic herbs and spices, and apply these diets in the management of diabetes.

Project Food anthropological study: The aim of this short project was to explore differences in dietary habits between an elder Toda living in a village within an urban environment and another living in a village in a rural environment. Elders of the Toda tribe from two villages were interviewed to understand their health, lifestyle and dietary habits. One village sat at the top of the botanical gardens in the town of Ooty (population approximately 700,000), a short drive or walk from the town centre. The other village was a 50-kilometre drive or 40-minute walk through hillside forest from Ooty. There was no road access to this village.

FindingsThe study found that: n buffalo milk (a traditional food) and related products were consumed more frequently in a rural setting n fewer processed foods were consumed by elders living in a rural setting n local herbs were more likely to be incorporated into the diet in a rural setting n the tradition of embroidery was maintained in both urban and rural locations.

Researchers will use the traditional diets of the Ooty tribes to design dietary intervention trials targeting diabetes management.

Impact of culinary herbs and spices on CVD risk factors: In a randomised double-blind clinical trial, La Trobe researchers investigated the impact of traditional South Asian herbs and spices on blood pressure, lipids and body composition in overweight Australian men and women. After six months on the trial, the herbs and spices amla, cinnamon, cloves and oregano demonstrated a lowering effect on blood pressure. (Researchers: Jessica Radcliffe, Catherine Itsiopoulos, Richard Weisinger, Mark Jois)

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Reducing phosphate fertiliser wastage in crops: Lessons learnt from a weed

Using the molecular model plant Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress), La Trobe researchers are seeking to improve plant fertiliser use.

ContextPlants need phosphate to grow. As part of the green revolution in the early 20th century, chemical fertilisers have been applied to boost crop yields. Currently, global phosphate fertiliser demand increases by about 2 per cent per annum, driven by growing demand for food and a decline in land available for agriculture. Australia, a major exporter of wheat, is a net importer of phosphate fertiliser, with farmers using about three megatonnes of phosphorus each year. Significant increases in nutrient-use efficiency – that is grain production per unit of added phosphorus, nitrogen and water – are needed to achieve the growth rates in cereal crop yields needed to feed a growing world population. Modern crop varieties use only 30 to 45 per cent of the phosphate that is applied to the field. This is an unacceptable wastage for this precious, non-renewable resource that deserves our best stewardship.

ProjectA team of researchers in Professor James Whelan’s group at La Trobe University aims to increase phosphorus efficiency in plants. Applying molecular techniques, they have identified central regulators of phosphate uptake in root cells that act as gatekeepers for nutrient flux. They are studying phosphate sensors inside the plant that act as a ‘fuel gauge’. The two projects aim to understand the function of these regulators and sensors, so that their activity can be altered to boost phosphate uptake and its use within the plant. This work has led the team to investigate why plants impose restrictions on phosphate uptake in the first place: If phosphate is a limiting factor for growth, then why is it not taken up?

To further explore this puzzling observation, the team is taking advantage of more than 1,000 Arabidopsis thaliana accessions that have been collected from their natural habitats across Eurasia and whose genomes have been sequenced to allow in-depth evolutionary studies. Accessions from habitats differing in their soil phosphate levels are currently screened for their response to phosphate availability. Genome-wide association studies will identify genes that have been altered to increase tolerance to low soil phosphate. These gene sequences can be used as molecular markers in plant breeding to improve phosphate efficiency in close relatives of the Brassicaceae family, such as canola. Professor Whelan’s group is also collaborating with researchers at Zhejiang University in China, where he is a visiting professor, to transfer these traits into cereals such as rice and wheat.

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WATER RESEARCH CLUSTERThe Water Research Cluster focuses on water’s role as a fundamental requirement for human survival, and key input to ecological and man-made production systems. Research is themed around water’s inherent scarcity, environmental uses and management. Large variations in water availability are a fact of agriculture in Australia. We need stable and sufficient water supply for sustainable and productive agricultural systems. Novel techniques in a range of areas could achieve this goal within the limits of our resource capabilities.

Research capabilitiesBringing together several groups that research specific elements of water, the Water Research Cluster encompasses experts in:n water ecology, biodiversity and ecosystem managementn hydrological dimensions of surface and groundwater resourcesn water extraction, distribution and transportn water as an input in both man-made and ecological production systemsn agricultural development, crop and pasture watern remote sensing, systems modelling and irrigationn economics of water use policy across jurisdictionsn social analysis of water use, including the allocation of water resources

among competing users.

The University supports a variety of large research groups, including the Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre, which has laboratories at two of our campuses located in the Murray-Darling Basin: Albury-Wodonga and Mildura.

Cross-disciplinary collaborationThe Water Research Cluster spans a wide and diverse set of expertise for agricultural, environmental, recreational and social use of water resources. It looks into how these competing uses can be sustained, and the economic impacts of water use. Archaeologist Professor Susan Lawrence, environmental chemist Dr Ewen Silvester and a group of co-researchers are investigating the ways in which gold mining has shaped Victoria’s river systems (see Water and gold example).

Underpinning academic disciplinesWater research at La Trobe University is multidisciplinary and dynamic, including disciplines such as ecology, economics, engineering, history, archaeology, policy, sociology, law and legal studies, creative arts, and chemical, mathematical, physical, environmental, agricultural and soil sciences.

Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre: 30 years of freshwater ecologyResearch at the MDFRC focuses on freshwater ecology in the Murray-Darling Basin and generating knowledge to aid in the protection and improvement of the health of rivers, floodplains, wetlands and water storages. The MDFRC has uniquely located research facilities at Wodonga and Mildura along the Murray River, on the land of the Wiradjuri and Latje Latje peoples. It provides:

n credible research knowledge for Murray-Darling Basin communitiesn ecological advice and solutions for better management interventionsn design, assessment and review of approaches to aquatic ecosystem managementn specialised environmental and water-quality testing capabilitiesn teaching and capacity building, from degree students to secondary school events.

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Research projects include diverse investigations of freshwater ecology: environmental flows in rivers and wetlands, effects of salinity, wetland acidification and rehabilitation, and microbial, fish, vegetation and invertebrate ecology.

The MDFRC provides research and monitoring systems both for short-term solutions and spanning a considerable timeframe. In addition, the laboratory at Wodonga provides specialised environmental and water-quality testing capabilities and tailors environmental and water-monitoring programs to meet the needs of key partners and corporate organisations within the basin.

The synthesis and communication of the knowledge generated by these projects is fundamental to the development of monitoring programs, which enable robust assessment of ecosystem management strategies. Through considered evaluation and adaptation of management programs, we will be better placed to protect and enhance the natural assets of the Murray-Darling Basin while supporting sustainable use of the basin.

The MDFRC is a partnership between CSIRO and La Trobe University, with additional collaboration agreements with the Murray-Darling Basin joint governments and University of Canberra.

Project examples

Rivers of Gold: the Legacy of Historical Gold Mining for Victoria’s Rivers

We know a lot about how gold mining helped fuel Victoria’s prosperity and rapid population rise during the 19th century, but little is known about the impact goldmining has had on our rivers.

La Trobe University archaeologist Professor Susan Lawrence, environmental chemist Dr Ewen Silvester and a group of co-researchers are evaluating how goldmining has shaped Victoria’s river systems. This will be the first systematic study of the impact of historic mining on Australian rivers.

Their previous research indicates that 75 per cent of Victoria’s catchments were affected by mining waste.

Ovens River not so ‘natural’Goldmining has led to extensive and long-lasting changes to waterways across the state; for example, the Ovens River is often perceived as one of Victoria’s few remaining ‘natural’ rivers because it hasn’t been dammed. Yet it has one of the catchments most severely affected by mining.

Using a wide range of scientific techniques, from landscape archaeology, physical geography and geomorphology to environmental chemistry, the team is identifying and mapping the extent of the changes, including increased sedimentation, erosion caused by altered water flows, and contaminants still remaining from mining.

Impacts to this dayFor 50 years, from 1851 to 1914, gold mining was Victoria’s biggest industry, producing 2,500 tonnes of gold. Mines used a great deal of water, which was discharged as polluted sludge directly into rivers and streams.

Despite considerable public discussion at the time, the impact of mining on Victoria’s rivers has since been largely forgotten. A major focus of research in many countries overseas, it is an area in which Australia lags behind.

Documenting the types of landscapes that existed before and at the height of the mining boom can contribute to the way our catchments and reservoirs are managed into the future.

Hume Dam, on the Murray River. The

Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre focuses on

generating knowledge to aid in the protection and improvement

of the health of rivers, floodplains, wetlands and

water storages.

ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH CLUSTERThe Environment Research Cluster works to promote understanding, conservation and sustainable use of the environment.

The environment is the sum total of all livings things and natural forces that shape the physical world. It provides the conditions required for growth and development, while simultaneously being hazardous and capable of causing major damage. Environmental mismanagement can lead to disease, fire, storms, drought, loss of diversity, extinction and famine, and can range from minor to massive, physical to abstract, with local and international consequences.

This cluster examines soils in great depth, and views them as a fundamental basis for all land-based life. Productive soils are essential for agriculture, are the basis for forests and grasslands, contain a huge diversity of life, and harbour a large range of natural resources.

Soils can be affected by over-use, pollution, contamination, corrosion and depletion. To prevent environmental harm, research and innovative ideas based on solid foundations and strategic application across a wide range of areas – including fire management, protection from pollution, waste management and environmental reservoirs – contribute to safeguarding a sustainable future.

La Trobe has recognised expertise in research that benefits primary producers, natural resources management and environmental sustainability. In particular, our strengths in agricultural biotechnology, ecological science and water can be applied to help shape the future.

Research into securing the environment provides us with an understanding of what is present, how this changes over the long term, and what can be done to minimise harm. The work carried out ranges from single atoms to global systems.

Research capabilitiesThese include:n climate change, carbon trading and greenhouse gas emissionsn fire ecologyn land resource managementn salinity, land degradation and rehabilitationn conservation of flora and faunan landscape change, habitat loss and deforestationn energy and mineral depletionn air and water pollutionn soil health, soil erosion and groundwater contamination n population genetics and phylogenetics.

Cross-disciplinary collaborationEnvironmental research requires a multidisciplinary approach to understand and solve complex problems. It is based on an understanding of the main underpinning academic disciplines of Ecology, Environmental Sciences and Social Policies.

Other disciplines, including studies in Energy, Ethics, Geography, Chemistry, Physics, Policy, Planning, Politics, Law, Economics, Philosophy, Environmental Sociology, Environmental Justice, Planning, Pollution Control and Natural Resource Management, are also invaluable to work conducted within the Environment Research Cluster.

Environmental research requires a

multidisciplinary approach to understand and solve

complex problems. It is based on an understanding of the

main underpinning academic disciplines of Ecology,

Environmental Sciences and Social Policies.

23

24

Securing Food, Water and the Environment

Project example

Unravelling the evolutionary history of an iconic Australian plant genus

(Researcher: Dr Susan Hoebee)

Context Understanding genetic diversity and how it is structured within and among species is critical for both the conservation and utilisation of wild resources. Underpinning such research is an expectation that species’ taxonomies are unambiguous and evolutionary relationships of congeneric taxa are well defined. For Grevillea, Australia’s third-largest plant genus, these relationships are often ambiguous; many species display considerable phenotypic variation across their ranges and frequently hybridise.

Project In 2013, a genetic investigation of evolutionary relationships (macroevolution) among the Floribunda subgroup of Grevillea was supported by the Australian Plant Society (Victoria, Maroondah Group). In the same year, this was augmented by a SFWE RFA grant and in 2015 by an ARC Discovery Grant. This expanded the study to allow a more comprehensive macro-evolutionary analysis including the Arenaria subgroup, and an exploration of hypothesised pollinator-driven diversification in three focal species (microevolution). Specific to the RFA funding, the aim was to produce an NGS-based molecular phylogeny for species within the Floribunda subgroup. This subgroup was chosen as it contains species that display a wide variety of floral morphologies, potentially as a result of pollinator-mediated diversification.

Using a reduced-representation genomic method (ddRAD-seq), we have generated high-quality DNA sequence data for all species within the subgroup and other closely related taxa (circa 87 per cent of reads Q>30). Assembly of our data against the nearest available chloroplast reference genome (Macadamia) indicated 5 to 20 per cent is chloroplastic in origin. Preliminary phylogenetic analyses of this cpDNA data showed that G. alpina, G. rosmarinifolia and G. polybractea are closely related, forming an unresolved clade that is distinct from the remaining species.

The research to assess species relationships based on the nuclear genome sequences is ongoing. Incongruence between phylogenies generated from the maternally inherited chloroplast and biparentally inherited nuclear DNA will be useful for identifying species of likely hybrid origin. This has relevance for conservation as many taxa within the subgroups are recognised as rare or threatened and have managed to ensure their genetic uniqueness is maintained.

FIGURE 1Examples of morphological diversity within the Floribunda subgroup of Grevillea. L-R: G. alpina (Northern Victorian form) G. celata and G. chrysophaea (Brisbane Ranges). PHOTOS: SUSAN HOEBEE

FIGURE 2A selection of floral visitors to Grevillea alpina. L-R White-eared honeyeater, Eastern Spinebill and Silvereye. PHOTOS: JULI ATKINSON

25

Capability Statement

Laboratories and Research Platforms:OVERVIEW AND CAPABILITIESCentre for AgriBioscience (AgriBio) AgriBio is one of the largest agricultural research hubs in Australia. The building has an area of more than 30,000 square metres over five levels, and contains:n PC2/QC2 and PC3/QC3 laboratories and Australia’s largest PC3/QC3 containment facilityn 13 glasshouses (two on the main building’s roof), 12 screen houses and two polyhousesn 78 controlled-environment rooms and controlled-atmosphere rooms n DAFF Biosecurity and Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) accredited facilitiesn next-generation sequencing (NGS) accredited facilities, and specialised support areas including a nuclear

magnetic resonance (NMR) suite.

La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS)LIMS’ research agenda is supported by a state-of-the-art facility where scientists from various disciplines work together in well-equipped, shared work-spaces to achieve research outcomes that would not be possible in traditional academic settings. LIMS has on-site facilities for bioinformatics, flow cytometry, microscopy, genomics, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectrometry. It also houses inductively coupled plasma (ICP) equipment, an atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) and X-ray diffractometer, crystallography and laser research. See www.latrobe.edu.au/lims/facilities

Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre (MDFRC)MDFRC is a NATA-accredited chemistry laboratory providing specialised environmental and water-quality testing services. The laboratory conducts water, sediment, effluent and biota analysis by classical, FIA, AAS (flame) and UV-Vis spectrophotometric techniques for a range of determinations. For more detailed information, go to www.mdfrc.org.au/services

La Trobe University Research Platforms La Trobe University has invested in research platforms that bring together capabilities, expertise and equipment under a defined governance and management structure to support areas of research strength within the university. Coordinated through the Office of Research Infrastructure, the platforms optimise the use of research infrastructure, accelerate research outcomes and enhance the university’s capacity to engage with industry and build research collaborations.

Research platforms relevant to SFWE: Genomics Platform: provides investigators with the latest in next-generation sequencing equipment and complementary bioinformatics assistance while facilitating wide-ranging research projects requiring highly detailed global DNA and RNA sequence analysis. It includes:n Next-generation sequencing: MiSeq, NextSeq 500 and HiSeq 1500n Bioinformatics services: n General bioinformatics advice: software usage, basic QC, read-mapping, variant calling,

R (statistics) etc. Differential expression: RNA-Seq/transcriptomics, microarrayn Analysis: go term/pathway, gene set testing, ChIP-Seq, variant calling, etc.n Data processing: scripting, parallel computing etcn Software tool and pipeline development: bio-computing, CLC genomics, high-performance computing

(LIMS-HPC)n Software install: software packages on LIMS-HPC

Securing Food, Water and the Environment

The platform also has access to a range of other areas via the Victorian Life Sciences Computation Initiative (VLSCI).

Proteomics platform: offers a suite of synergistic capabilities for the characterisation of proteins of interest to academic and industry researchers in the agricultural, health, life, molecular, pharmaceutical, population and psychological sciences. The specific capabilities offered by this unique platform are enabled by a multidisciplinary team of experienced researchers and professional staff.

The workflow of capabilities and expertise enables the identification and quantitation of biomolecules from complex mixtures through to structure determination and analysis of interactions, kinetics and thermodynamics. Core expertise in advanced experimental design, informatics and data analysis underpins the three main capabilities of the platform.n Capability A: protein identification and quantificationn Capability B: protein structure determinationn Capability C: protein interactions, kinetics and thermodynamics

A full list of instrumentation available can be viewed online at www.latrobe.edu.au/research-infrastructure/research-facilities/proteomics-platform

26

27

Capability Statement

Value-added servicesWe apply the skills, knowledge and expertise within our RFA to facilitate and/or inform our members of seminars, conferences and international visits, with the goal of advancing and sharing knowledge in food, water and environmental research.

Membership of the SFWE allows for regular networking opportunities and connections, industry links, invitations to events, and information on grants, funding and scholarship opportunities available through La Trobe and beyond.

For more information and to apply for membership, contact sfwe@latrobe.edu.au

EducationSFWE acknowledges the role education plays in its whole-university approach to research. Our commitment to expanding our research facilities, and our ongoing focus on sustainability and social responsibility, underscores our reputation for creating opportunities for all who can benefit from higher education.Related study options for this RFA are offered at La Trobe through undergraduate, honours, post-graduate, research and short courses. Accessible educational opportunities are enhanced by the number of grant, funding and scholarship opportunities available. Further information on these can be viewed in detail on La Trobe’s website.

Our commitment to expanding our research

facilities, and our ongoing focus on sustainability

and social responsibility, underscores our reputation

for creating opportunities for all who can benefit from

higher education.

28

Securing Food, Water and the Environment

Working together NURTURING RESEARCH, INDUSTRY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND ENGAGEMENT

Higher Degree Research student engagement With the development of partnerships, Higher Degree Research (HDR) students will have an opportunity to work in industry and further develop their employability. HDR students have access to tuition that assists with publication preparation and grant writing, funding through scholarship top-ups, as well as cross-disciplinary seminars and conferences. Work will be undertaken with La Trobe’s Indigenous Student Service Units and Executive Director of Indigenous Strategy to ensure Indigenous HDR students within Securing Food, Water and the Environment are nurtured.

Regional engagement La Trobe is well represented across four Victorian regional campuses: Bendigo, Albury-Wodonga, Shepparton and Mildura.

Students who enrol and complete a degree, including those whose degree incorporates a masters component, at one of La Trobe’s regional campuses are entitled to the Regional Reward Initiative. This includes Work Integrated Learning, where students have the opportunity to participate in a work placement program in the second or third year of their degree, and Student Exchange Mobility Grants, whereby all regional campus students who are eligible for international exchange are guaranteed to receive funds towards a semester overseas. Smaller scholarships are also available for shorter international programs.

Regional partnershipsFour members of the executive are based in regional centres (two in Bendigo and two in Albury-Wodonga). This enhances good regional representation and engagement with the RFA. MDFRC has bases in Albury-Wodonga and Mildura, assisting with SFWE’s links to agriculture and water management in rural and regional communities.

Government and industry engagementOur researchers have many partners and collaborators across the world in government, universities, business and NGOs. Some of the key partners are listed on the following page:

29

Capability Statement

Federal government or agencies Australian Research Council (ARC)Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

(CSIRO) Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and

Communities (SEWPaC) Murray-Darling Basin Authority National Environmental Water Holder National Water Commission Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network

State government or agenciesDepartment of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and

Resources (DEDJTR) Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Biosciences Research Centre Catchment Management Authorities (e.g. North East CMA, North

Central CMA, Mallee CMA) Future Farming Systems Research Land and Fire Division, Biodiversity Division Department of Environment and Natural Resources (SA DENR) Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW Goulburn-Murray Water Lower Murray Water Murray Catchment Management Authority, NSW Government Museum Victoria NSW Office of Environment and Heritage NSW Parks and Wildlife Parks Victoria SA Dept for Environment and Heritage South Australian Museum South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) Victorian Environmental Water Holder Zoos Victoria

Local government Darebin City Council Albury City Council City of Wodonga City of Greater Bendigo Greater Shepparton City Council Mildura Rural City Council Nillumbik Shire Council

Australian universities and institutes

Charles Sturt University Deakin University Edith Cowan University Griffith University Goyder Institute (SA) Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (UTAS) Monash University University of Adelaide University of Canberra University of Melbourne University of NSW University of South Australia Victorian Life Sciences Computation Initiative (VLSCI)

International universities and institutesBangalore University Indian Institute of Management, India International Water Management Institute, India Iwate University (Japan) Nanjing Agricultural University, China NOFIMA (the Norwegian food research institute) Ocean University of China Punjab University Rural Development, India Tel Aviv University, Israel Texas Tech University, US University of Copenhagen University of Moratuwa (Sri Lanka) University of Science and Technology (Hefei, China)

Companies Virbac (Australia)

OtherAustralian Wildlife Conservancy Birdlife Australia Greening Australia The Trust for Nature

Membership of the SFWE allows for regular

networking opportunities and connections, industry

links, invitations to events, and information on grants, funding and scholarship opportunities

available through La Trobe and beyond.

30

Securing Food, Water and the Environment

Existing centres and concentrations of expertise that could potentially contribute to the RFA, the departments in which they reside and their formal relationships with external partners.

Centre for Water Policy and

Management

Centre for Sustainable

Regional Communities

Strategic Communication

and Creative Arts

Public Health and Rural Health

School

Environmental Outdoor

Education

Community Planning and Development

Program

AgriBio

Biodiversity, Ecology and

Evolution Group (BEEG@L)

Murray-Darling

Freshwater Research

Centre

Departments Department of Animal, Plants and Soil Science

Department of Economics and Finance

Department of Creative Arts and English; Department of Communication and Media

Department of Education

Department of Social Inquiry

Departments of Communication and Allied Health, Dentistry and Oral Health, Rural Nursing and Midwifery

ADVISORY BOARD

GOVERNING BOARD (LTU/CSIRO)

RESEARCH COLLABORATION

ADVISORY BOARD (LTU/DEDJTR)

NORTHERN BIOSCIENCES

PRECINCT

FOOD PRECINCT

31

Capability Statement

SFWE research membersAccari Jessica j.accari@latobe.edu.au Mitochondrial genetics, transcription, transcript processing

Adair Robin r.adair@latrobe.edu.au Animal plant soil sciences

Adda Chris c.adda@latrobe.edu.au Research infrastructure

Agbinya Johnson j.agbinya@latrobe.edu.au Electronics, sensing systems, sensors, engineering,

Ahmed Awais a.ahmed@latrobe.edu.au

Aitken MaryAnne maryanne.aitken@latrobe.edu.au Streamlining strategic and operational processes, management and leadership

Al Zahrani Zarah zal-zahrani@students.latrobe.edu.au Synthesis of hydrogels used in biomedical and environmental applications

Al-Adhab Ahmed Abass Najim 17511070@students.latrobe.edu.au Environment, chemistry

Allen Patrick pjallen@students.latrobe.edu.au Plant biochemistry, molecular biology

Allen-Ankins Slade s.allen-ankins@latrobe.edu.au Physiological mechanisms underlying fish distributions along altitudinal gradients

Amir Lisa l.amir@latrobe.edu.au Infant feeding, breastfeeding, infant formula, food security for infants

Anderson Marilyn m.anderson@latrobe.edu.au Plant innate immunity proteins

Angleton Alison a.angleton@latrobe.edu.au Industry engagement, psychology

Angove Michael m.angove@latrobe.edu.au Colloid, environmental and pharmaceutical science

Aracic Sanja s.aracic@latrobe.edu.au Molecular biology, extracellular polysaccharides, biosensors, heavy metals

Arhatari Benedicta b.arhatari@latrobe.edu.au Tomography lab manager, microfocus laboratory X-ray source

Armitage Katie k.armitage@latrobe.edu.au

Atkins Zak z.atkins@latrobe.edu.au Alpine ecology, reproductive biology, conservation

Aye Nang Seng nsengaye@gmail.com Soil chemistry and biochemistry, soil nutrient management

Balakrishnan Deepa d.balakrishnan@latrobe.edu.au Grants and funding, strategic advisor for ARC schemes

Baldwin Darren darren.baldwin@latrobe.edu.au Environmental management, ecology, biogeochemistry

Bartoli Paul Joseph pjbartoli@students.latrobe.edu.au

Basser Lee Ann l.basser@latrobe.edu.au Human rights, laws in lives for people with disabilities

Bathje Caroline c.bathje@latrobe.edu.au Biosensing, electrochemistry, innovation and commercialisation

Beaven Lisa l.beaven@latrobe.edu.au Antiquarianism and the history of collecting

Beddoe Travis t.beddoe@latrobe.edu.au Host-pathogen interactions, parasitic and bacterial diseases

Bedon Frank f.bedon@latrobe.edu.au Melatonin, mistletoe

Beebe Sarah sbeebe90@hotmail.com Wildlife, conservation, dog, citizen science, behaviour, scent detection, ecology

Belski Regina r.belski@latrobe.edu.au Dietetics

Bennett Pauleen pauleen.bennett@latrobe.edu.au Development of canine partners for SFWE

Bennett Andrew a.bennett@latrobe.edu.au Wildlife conservation, landscape change, agricultural land-use, fire ecology

Bereza-Malcolm Lara ltbereza-malcolm@students.latrobe.edu.au Microbial sniffer dogs

Berkowitz Oliver o.berkowitz@latrobe.edu.au Genomics, transcriptomics, computational biology, arabidopsis, phosphate, mitochondria

Bleackley Mark m.bleackley@latrobe.edu.au Fungi, antifungal, cell wall, yeast

Bodin Oonagh oebodin@students.latrobe.edu.au ARISA, microbiota, gastrointestinal

Bogenhuber Deborah d.bogenhuber@latrobe.edu.au Freshwater Ecology, Cultural Science

Bond Nick n.bond@latrobe.edu.au Ecology, hydrology, climate change, water management, water policy

Bramley Andrea a.bramley@latrobe.edu.au Diabetes nutrition, obesity, cognitive decline

Brammar Cara brammar.c@students.latrobe.edu.au Birds, land-use, landscape ecology, novel ecosystems

Braun Shannon 15749011@students.latrobe.edu.au Predator interactions, predator prey, trophic cascades, mesopredator release

Brennan Andrew a.brennan@latrobe.edu.au University ombudsman, environmental philosophy

Brett Judith j.brett@latrobe.edu.au Australian studies, international relations, politics

Broome Richard r.broome@latrobe.edu.au Aboriginal history, colonial Australia, Australian immigration

Brown Paul paul.brown@latrobe.edu.au Fish population dynamics, pest fish biology, fish-habitat rehabilitation

SFWE research members

32

Browne Richard 15537355@students.latrobe.edu.au Wheat, anthers, abiotic stress

Brueggemeier Jan j.brueggemeier@latrobe.edu.au

Bryceson Susanna s.bryceson@latrobe.edu.au Grasslands, C4 grass, extinction, invasion, CO2, climate change, arid, semi-arid

Budge Trevor t.budge@latrobe.edu.au International development, planning

Burns Edgar e.burns@latrobe.edu.au Sociology, social enquiry

Busuttil Rosie r.busuttil@latrobe.edu.au Governance and knowledge officer, MDFRC

Butler Nicole Emma ne2butler@students.latrobe.edu.au

Butt Andrew a.butt@latrobe.edu.au Peri-urbanisation, food systems, land use change

Butterly Clayton c.butterly@latrobe.edu.au Soil-plant interactions, soil science, agricultural sciences, soil ecology and nutrient cycling

Buxton James jtbuxton@students.latrobe.edu.au Insect ecology, colour biology, ecomorphology, functional morphology

Calopa Shelley s.calopa@latrobe.edu.au Bequest adviser

Campbell Cherie cherie.campbell@latrobe.edu.au Aquatic plant ecology, dispersal, diversity and structure, flow regimes

Carey Mark m.carey@latrobe.edu.au Short-tailed sheerwater, bird migration, environmental management, ecology

Caruana Nikeisha Jean njcaruana@students.latrobe.edu.au

Celestina Corinne 15326374@students.latrobe.edu.au Soil microbial ecology, soil biology, agriculture, grains industry

Chalasani Gowtam Chowdary gcchalasani@students.latrobe.edu.au

Champion Robert r.champion@latrobe.edu.au Mathematics, statistics, mathematical models in health care

Chan Chee c.chan@latrobe.edu.au Molecular and human genetics,

Chen Yi-Ping Phoebe phoebe.chen@latrobe.edu.au Bioinformatics and biometric security, artificial intelligence,

Cheng Miaomiao 17525511@students.latrobe.edu.au Heavy metal, hyperaccumulator, soil

Chong Rob rob.chong@latrobe.edu.au Research, projects and collaborations

Clark Gary g.clark@latrobe.edu.au Soil conservation of alpine vegetation, subsoil constraints, agricultural sciences

Clarke Harry h.clarke@latrobe.edu.au Economics, climate change, water policy and infrastructure

Clarke Michael m.clarke@latrobe.edu.au Wildlife and conservation biology, behavioural ecology, fire ecology

Cocks Benjamin b.cocks@latrobe.edu.au Applied systems biology

Congues Janet j.congues@latrobe.edu.au Drought, women, farming, policy, agriculture, community, feminism

Conn Emma e.conn@latrobe.edu.au Administration, AgriBio

Connell Jemima j4connell@students.latrobe.edu.au

Cooke Ira i.cooke@latrobe.edu.au Life sciences

Cosgrove Richard r.cosgrove@latrobe.edu.au Archaeology, indigenous impacts on landscape, fire ecology

Croxford Sharon s.croxford@latrobe.edu.au Food, culinary cultures, food production, food analysis, health

Custovic Eddie e.custovic@latrobe.edu.au Electronics, sensing systems, sensors, engineering

Daetwyler Hans hans.daetwyler@ecodev.vic.gov.au Applied systems biology

Dangerfield Fiona f.dangerfield@latrobe.edu.au Food, public health

Daniele Laura l.daniele@latrobe.edu.au Project co-ordination, marketing and publicity, events, AgriBio

Davies Hugh h.davies@latrobe.edu.au Communications, creative arts, television, online production

De Groef Bert b.degroef@latrobe.edu.au Hormones, gene expression, histology, brain, pituitary, stress, reproduction, evolution

Debrett Mary m.debrett@latrobe.edu.au Media, television, video production

Decker Orsolya decker.o@students.latrobe.edu.au Soil ecology, soil processes

Deng Dennis d.deng@latrobe.edu.au Digital signal processing, engineering

Dennis Christina c.dennis@latrobe.edu.au Pharmacy practice

Desai Aniruddha a.desai@latrobe.edu.au Management accounting

Devlin John j.devlin@latrobe.edu.au Engineering, communications and radar systems

Dingle Gregory g.dingle@latrobe.edu.au Sports management, education for sustainability, sustainability for sports organisations

Dragwidge Jonathan jdragwidge@students.latrobe.edu.au Arabidopsis, protein trafficking

Drake Leigh l.drake@latrobe.edu.au Financial economics

Drijfhout Margreet 18349832@students.latrobe.edu.au Koala, eucalyptus, public perception, values, beliefs, vegetation survey

Durant Rebecca r.durant@latrobe.edu.au Wetland ecology, primary production,

33

Capability Statement

Dworkin Seb s.dworkin@latrobe.edu.au Craniofacial, brain, stem cells, zebrafish, mouse models, genetics

Eddy Pennie pj3eddy@students.latrobe.edu.au Psychology, counselling, regional research

Edwards Jacqueline jacqueline.edwards@latrobe.edu.au Applied systems biology

Edwards Trevor trevor.edwards@latrobe.edu.au Behavioural ecology, plant ecology, systematic and evolutionary biology

Edwards Phillip p.edwards@latrobe.edu.au European and Middle Eastern archaeology, origins of farming and village life

Edwards Debra d.edwards@latrobe.edu.au Special education, primary teaching

Egidi Eleonora e.egidi@latrobe.edu.au Metagenomics, microbial ecology, plant microbes, molecular ecology

Ellenberg Ursula u.ellenberg@latrobe.edu.au Ecophysiology, behavioural ecology, conservation biology, ecotourism

Emmerling Michael m.emmerling@latrobe.edu.au Biology, biotechnology, botany

Erbas Bircan b.erbas@latrobe.edu.au Environmental health, consumer participation

Everingham Penny p.everingham@latrobe.edu.au Project management, freshwater ecology, MDFRC

Fahey James (Charles) c.fahey@latrobe.edu.au Australian studies, Australian farming, Victorian goldfields

Fayezi Sajad s.fayezi@latrobe.edu.au Supply chain, supply network, multi-tier supply chain, business responsiveness

Fernando Denise d.fernando@latrobe.edu.au Manganese, plants, manganese toxicity, climate change

Ferrier Asa s.ferrier@latrobe.edu.au Archaeology

Fisch Eva e.fisch@latrobe.edu.au Collection development, research management, libraries

Flavel Matt mrflavel@students.latrobe.edu.au C. elegans, microfluidics, obesity/diabetes

Ford Ruth r.ford@latrobe.edu.au Australian history, gender, social justice,

Forster John j.forster@latrobe.edu.au Applied systems biology

Forsyth Adrienne a.forsyth@latrobe.edu.au Nutrition, sport, community

Fox Jennifer jennifer.fox@latrobe.edu.au

Frankel Theresa t.frankel@latrobe.edu.au Animal nutrition, agricultural science

Franks Ashley a.franks@latrobe.edu.au Bioremediation, biotechnology, microbiology, synthetic biology

Fraser Iain i.fraser@latrobe.edu.au Economics

Freestone Fiona f.freestone@latrobe.edu.au

Fussell Martin m.fussell@latrobe.edu.au Environmental management and ecology

Fyffe Jeanette j.fyffe@latrobe.edu.au Research education

Garvey Jillian j.garvey@latrobe.edu.au Archaeological science, zoo archaeology, vertebrate morphology, extinctions

Gaspar Yolanda y.gaspar@latrobe.edu.au Molecular cell biology, plant innate immunity proteins, OH&S

Gawne Benjamin b.gawne@latrobe.edu.au Aquatic ecosystems, environmental management, ecology

Gendall Anthony t.gendall@latrobe.edu.au Biology, plant development and stress biology, seed proteins, ion homeostasis

Gerdts Jody 18040307@students.latrobe.edu.au Chalkbrood, hygienic behaviour in bees,

Gibb Heloise h.gibb@latrobe.edu.au Community ecology, conservation, restoration, fire, macroecology

Gillett Susan s.gillett@latrobe.edu.au Creative writing

Gohil Sejal s.gohil@latrobe.edu Grants advice, strategic advice on funding

Gouil Quentin q.gouil@latobe.edu.au Transcription, plant epigenetics, systems biology

Grant Warwick w.grant@latrobe.edu.au Genetics, parasitic nematodes, genomic technologies, parasite evolution

Graves Jennifer j.graves@latrobe.edu.au Animal genomics, evolution, sex

Green Peter p.green@latrobe.edu.au Wildlife and conservation biology, plant ecology, population genetics and phylogenetics

Griffiths Steve s.griffiths@latrobe.edu.au Bats, nest box, conservation, wildlife behaviour, hollow-dependant fauna

Grommen Sylvia s.grommen@latrobe.edu.au Endocrinology, growth, fertility, development, neurobiology

Grover Samantha s.grover@latrobe.edu.au Soils, fluxes of carbon, water and nutrients through soils and plants to the atmosphere

Grubb Joshua grubb.j@students.latrobe.edu.au Detritivores, fire, phylogeography, gene flow, refugia

Guarino Rosemary r.renda@latrobe.edu.au Biochemistry, molecular biology

Gyan Ernest ernestgyan@gmail.com Onchocerciasis, water research, environmental research, blackflies, simulium

Hamilton Jane jane.hamilton@latrobe.edu.au Corporate disclosure, corporate governance, financial accounting

Harding Don d.harding@latrobe.edu.au Economics

Harris Clayton cwharris@students.latrobe.edu.au Environmental management, ecology, organic nitrogen

34

SFWE research members

Harrisson Katherine k.harrisson@latrobe.edu.au Molecular ecology, landscape ecology, landscape genetics/genomics, conservation

Hart Adam a.hart@latrobe.edu.au Biochemistry, molecular biology, biomedical science, genetics

Harvey Adela a.harvey@latrobe.edu.au Marine algae, ecology, biodiversity

Haslem Angie A.Haslem@latrobe.edu.au Wildlife, conservation biology

Hatley Jude tjhatley@students.latrobe.edu.au

Hayden Matthew m.hayden@latrobe.edu.au Agricultural bioscience, applied systems biology

Hayden Catherine c.hayden@latrobe.edu.au Grants advice, health, medical

Hayes Ben ben.hayes@latrobe.edu.au Applied systems biology

He Zhen z.he@latrobe.edu.au Computer intelligence, multimedia technologies

Hedtke Shannon shannon.hedtke@gmail.com Disease-causing filarial nematodes in India

Helbig Karla k.helbig@latrobe.edu.au Viruses, innate immunity, interferon, oysters, crocodiles, evolution of immunity

Herd Angela a.herd@latrobe.edu.au Ageing, aged care, healthy ageing

Herries Andrew a.herries@latrobe.edu.au Archaeology, human evolution, migration

Hill Andrew andrew.hill@latrobe.edu.au Genomic and DNA sequencing , molecular cell biology , neurodegenerative diseases

Hodgens Naomi naomi.hodgens@bigpond.com Canine, ecology, anthrozoology

Hoebee Susan s.hoebee@latrobe.edu.au Plant population genetics, genetic diversity, molecular ecology

Hogan Conor c.hogan@latrobe.edu.au Molecular nanoscience

Hogan Trevor t.hogan@latrobe.edu.au Social and cultural anthropology, urban sociology

Holland Greg greg.holland@latrobe.edu.au Conservation, ecology, fire, biodiversity

Hoque Zahirul z.hoque@latrobe.edu.au Accounting, organisational change

Horvath Dora d.horvath@latrobe.edu.au Research focus areas development management

Howell Tiffany t.howell@latrobe.edu.au Dog behaviour, dog cognition

Hoye Russell r.hoye@latrobe.edu.au Sports management, research development

Hulett Mark m.hulett@latrobe.edu.au Biomedical science

Hunt James j.hunt@latrobe.edu.au Wheat, water use efficiency, weeds, production

Huynh Dzung dhuynhle@students.latrobe.edu.au Arabidopsis thaliana, ion homeostasis, salinity tolerance, protein-protein interactions

Iacuone Sylvana s.iacuone@latrobe.edu.au Life sciences

Isaza Daniel Espinosa

Itsiopoulos Catherine c.itsiopoulos@latrobe.edu.au Dietetics

Jacob John Jubin j.jacobjohn@latrobe.edu.au Organic food supply chain

Jobling Earl e.jobling@latrobe.edu.au Finance, accounting, social capital

Jois Markandeya m.jois@latrobe.edu.au Physiology, metabolic syndrome, chronic diseases, animal nutrition

Jost Ricarda r.jost@latrobe.edu.au Nutrient stress, cell-specific phosphate signalling networks

Juma Almas Ramadhani ajuma@latrobe.edu.au Life sciences

Kapoor Shilpa s.kapoor@latrobe.edu.au

Kappen Peter p.kappen@latrobe.edu.au Physics

Keane Philip p.keane@latrobe.edu.au Botany, fungal disease, crop disease

Keays Kate k.keays@latrobe.edu.au Governance services

Kellow Alison a.kellow@latrobe.edu.au Botany, systematics, herbarium

Kelly Fiona f.kelly@latrobe.edu.au Family law, law and medicine

Kennedy Melissa m.kennedy@latrobe.edu.au Slow food movement, rural creative economies, qualitative research methods

Kennedy Elizabeth elizabeth.kennedy@latrobe.edu.au

Khan Nicola nicola.khan@latrobe.edu.au

Khoo Tseen t.khoo@latrobe.edu.au Research education and development, Asian - Australian studies

Khosroshahi Saeideh s.saedikhosroshahi@latrobe.edu.au Conservation tariff, customer engagement, switching barrier

Klein Anna a.klein@latrobe.edu.au

Kucuktepe Serpil skucuktepe@students.latrobe.edu.au Captopril (synthetic anti-hypertensive drugs), body-composition, body fat

Kurup Premnadh p.kurup@latrobe.edu.au Education of climate change and scientific literacy

35

Capability Statement

Kustrin Nena n.kustrin@latrobe.edu.au Biopharmaceutics

Kvansakul Marc m.kvansakul@latrobe.edu.au Crystallography, protein interactions, host-pathogen interactions

Lamb Peter p.lamb@latrobe.edu.au Business, strategic marketing

Larsen Amy a.larsen@latrobe.edu.au Physiology

Lauricella Dominic dlauricella@students.latrobe.edu.au Agricultural sciences

Lawler Susan s.lawler@latrobe.edu.au Conservation, ecology, evolution

Lawrence Ruth r.lawrence@latrobe.edu.au Environmental education

Lawrence Susan s.lawrence@latrobe.edu.au Water, mining, archaeology, heritage

Lay Fung f.lay@latrobe.edu.au Biochemistry, molecular biology

Leggat Sandra s.leggat@latrobe.edu.au Public health, health administration, health policy

Legge Katherine k.legge@latrobe.edu.au Physics

Leonard Steven s.leonard@latrobe.edu.au Fire, biota, fire management, vegetation, fauna

Lesku John j.lesku@latrobe.edu.au EEG and spectral analyses, circadian rhythms

Lewsey Mathew lewsey@lewseylab.org RNA silencing, DNA methylation, seed, plant, big data, systems biology

Lexis Louise Physiology

Li Song s.li@latrobe.edu.au Tapetum, programmed cell death, heat stress, gene network, transcription factor

Li Shuai Shuai (aka Alice) a.li@latrobe.edu.au

Liew Lim Chee limchee_84@yahoo.com Barley, seed biology, gene expression, chromatin sequencing

Linklater Danielle danielle.chapman@latrobe.edu.au Agricultural sciences

Linn Josh 17869073@students.latrobe.edu.au Agricultural sciences

Lo Norva n.lo@latrobe.edu.au Ethics, environment, population, animal welfare

Lopez Natalia natalia.alvarez@latrobe.edu.au Intellectual property

Lowe Rohan r.lowe@latrobe.edu.au Plant pathogen, transcriptomics, proteomics, genomics

Lubanga Umar Kombo ulubanga@students.latrobe.edu.au

Lugg Alex a.lugg2@latrobe.edu.au International, government and philanthropic grants

Lugg Alison a.lugg@latrobe.edu.au Secondary teaching

Lyu Wenhui 17801253@students.latrobe.edu.au Agricultural sciences

Macfadyen Alyx a.macfadyen@latrobe.edu.au Creative arts, media, strategic communication

Madigan Andrew a.madigan@latrobe.edu.au

Malipatil Mallik m.malipatil@latrobe.edu.au Applied systems biology

Marques Mathew m.marques@latrobe.edu.au Social psychology

Martin Dona d.martin@latrobe.edu.au Community-based research

Martin Susan s.martin@latrobe.edu.au Environmental humanities, representation of the (Australian) environment

Martin John john.martin@latrobe.edu.au Sustainable regional development and communities

Mason John j.mason@latrobe.edu.au Applied systems biology

Mathivanan Suresh S.Mathivanan@latrobe.edu.au Exosomes, secretome, systems biology

Matthews Elizabeth er2mathews@students.latrobe.edu.au Microbiology, sewer corrosion, microbial fuel cells, sulfate-reducing bacteria

Mayr Hannah h.mayr@latrobe.edu.au Nutrition science, clinical education, dietary patterns, cardiovascular disease

McDougall Keith k.mcdougall@latrobe.edu.au Pharmacy

McGaw Brian b.mcgaw@latrobe.edu.au Analytical chemistry

McInerney Paul p.mcinerney@latrobe.edu.au Salix, willows, macroinvertebrates, food web, primary production

McLaren David david.mclaren@latrobe.edu.au Applied systems biology

McMahon Peter peter.mcmahon@latrobe.edu.au Botany

McMichael Celia celia.mcmichael@unimelb.edu.au Anthropology, international development

McNamara Patricia p.mcnamara@latrobe.edu.au Social work

Meathrel Catherine c.meathrel@latrobe.edu.au Environmental management, ecology

Mechler Adam a.mechler@latrobe.edu.au Biophysics, membrane, antimicrobial peptide, lipid, nano biotechnology

Mee Wendy w.mee@latrobe.edu.au Sociology, gender, culture sexuality, migration

36

SFWE research members

Mele Pauline p.mele@latrobe.edu.au Applied systems biology

Merton Eve e.merton@latrobe.edu.au Strategic interactions research focus areas

Michalis Michael m.michael@latrobe.edu.au Modern Greek history, society, politics

Michelle Morris Jacqueline 18243275@students.latrobe.edu.au

Minchin Olga o.minchin@latrobe.edu.au Administration, transforming human societies

Mitchell Robert john.mitchell@latrobe.edu.au Ecological genetics

Mohommad Ahmed Jasim 18169067@students.latrobe.edu.au Polymer solar cell, conductive polymer

Mom Simon samom@students.latrobe.edu.au Environmental management, ecology

Morgan John j.morgan@latrobe.edu.au Plant ecology, long-term dynamics, fire, threatened species, climate change

Morse Marcus David m.morse@latrobe.edu.au Outdoor, environment, education, dialogue, facilitation, phenomenology, hermeneutics

Morton David d.morton@latrobe.edu.au Chemistry of soil systems, planar chromatography

Mroczek Katelyn Haley khmroczek@students.latrobe.edu.au

Muhammad Adnan Syed a.syedmuhammad@latrobe.edu.au Research focus area development management

Murphy Nicholas n.murphy@latrobe.edu.au Environmental management, ecology

Murphy Robyn r.murphy@latrobe.edu.au Healthy ageing, muscle-cell physiology

Murphy Jason j.murphy@latrobe.edu.au Research communications

Murray Neil n.murray@latrobe.edu.au Genetics

Muscat Joanne j.muscat@latrobe.edu.au Project management, AgriBio

Mwakalesi Joel Alinanuswe 17820948@students.latrobe.edu.au Environment, chemistry

Mynott Julia j.mynott@latrobe.edu.au Plecoptera, gripopterygidae, thaumatoperla, aquatic insects, species delimitation

Nanere Marthin m.nanere@latrobe.edu.au Marketing, consumer behaviour

Nankoberanyi Sheila 17818354@students.latrobe.edu.au

New Timothy t.new@latrobe.edu.au Emeritus professor

Nielsen Daryl d.nielsen@latrobe.edu.au Dormancy, dispersal, plants, seeds, zooplankton, eggs

Noy Ellyse ebnoy@students.latrobe.edu.au Corticotrophin-releasing hormone, type 2 corticotrophin-releasing hormone receptor

Nugent Keith k.nugent@latrobe.edu.au Deputy Vice-Chancellor (research), laser physics,

Ojelabi Lola Akin o.akinojelabi@latrobe.edu.au International law, access to justice

Oke Graeme g.oke@latrobe.edu.au Learning, teaching, research

O’Keefe Suzanne s.o’keefe@latrobe.edu.au Water policy, management

O’Mallon Simon s.o’mallon@latrobe.edu.au Education

Opie Rachelle Sara rsopie@students.latrobe.edu.au Dietetics, human nutrition

Orian Jacqueline j.orian@latrobe.edu.au Cell biology and molecular pathogenesis, neurodegenerative diseases

Osorio Marina 17983018@students.latrobe.edu.au Phosphorus, arabidopsis, signalling, stress

Pakay Julian j.pakay@latrobe.edu.au Biochemistry, genetics

Pakes Chris c.pakes@latrobe.edu.au Graduate studies, research,

Papamiltiadous Elena e.papamiltiadous@latrobe.edu.au Mediterranean diet, liver disease, dietary interventions

Papst Warwick w.papst@latrobe.edu.au Life sciences, ecology

Parish Roger r.parish@latrobe.edu.au Botany, cell and molecular biology

Parsons Robert r.parsons@latrobe.edu.au Botany

Paul Warren w.paul@latrobe.edu.au Statistics, data analysis, modelling

Pawsey Nicholas n.pawsey@latrobe.edu.au Accounting, business

Peasley Jennifer j.peasley@latrobe.edu.au Learning, teaching,

Peele Andrew a.peele@latrobe.edu.au Physics

Perani Fabienne f.perani@latrobe.edu.au Administration, understanding disease

Perez Diana Teresa d2navarroperez@students.latrobe.edu.au

Perrone Sabine sperrone@museum.vic.gov.au

Perugini Matthew m.perugini@latrobe.edu.au Dihydrodipicolinate synthase, enzyme, herbicide, protein structure & function

Peters Richard richard.peters@latrobe.edu.au Behaviour, signalling, motion analysis, noise

37

Capability Statement

Petrie Rochelle r.petrie@latrobe.edu.au Science program leadership

Petrovski Steve steve.petrovski@latrobe.edu.au Wastewater microbiology, filamentous bacteria, bacteriophages

Phillips Alistair aphillips@gavic.org.au

Pigram Paul p.pigram@latrobe.edu.au Nanotechnology, physics

Plummer Kim k.plummer@latrobe.edu.au Effectors, pathogenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics

Poon Simon s.poon@latrobe.edu.au Antifungal, transgenic plant, cyclotide, plant molecular biology

Poon Ivan Cell biology and molecular pathogenesis

Porter Ian i.porter@latrobe.edu.au Botany

Potter Ian i.potter@latrobe.edu.au Membranes, polymers, sensors, bioreactors

Poyago-Theotoky Joanna j.poyago-theotoky@latrobe.edu.au Environmental and resource economics

Premaratna Shirmila s.premaratna@latrobe.edu.au Life sciences

Price Amina Amina.Price@latrobe.edu.au Aquatic ecology

Pridmore Peter p.pridmore@latrobe.edu.au Environmental management and ecology

Pryce Jennie jennie.pryce@ecodev.vic.gov.au Applied systems biology

Puthalakath Hamsa h.puthalakath@latrobe.edu.au Biochemistry, molecular biology

Quintana Beatriz Paulina Ayala 17801497@students.latrobe.edu.au

Radcliffe Jessica j.radcliffe@latrobe.edu.au Diet intervention, obesity, CVD, herbs and spices

Radfar Mohsen m.radfar@latrobe.edu.au Micro and nano-electronics - low-power electronic circuits, ASIC design, neuromorphics

Radford Bridget

Raedts Pieter Johannes pjraedts@students.latrobe.edu.au Reemen, cow’s milk, grazing behaviour

Raulings Elisa eraulings@greeningaustralia.org.au

Read Elizabeth emread@students.latrobe.edu.au

Rees Gavin gavin.rees@latrobe.edu.au Rivers and wetlands, nutrients, anaerobic processes, sulphur biogeochemistry

Reid Christine c.reid@latrobe.edu.au Fresh-water ecology

Robert Kylie k.robert@latrobe.edu.au Anthropogenic disturbance, conservation biology

Robertson Margaret m.robertson@latrobe.edu.au Geographical and environmental education

Robertson Evan e.robertson@latrobe.edu.au Infrared and raman spectroscopy, lasers, aerosols, greenhouse gases

Roche Christopher c.roche@latrobe.edu.au International aid and development

Rochford Francine f.rochford@latrobe.edu.au Law, learning and teaching

Rochfort Simone simone.rochfort@ecodev.vic.gov.au LCMS, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance

Rodoni Brendan b.rodoni@latrobe.edu.au Applied systems biology

Rogers Sue s.rogers@latrobe.edu.au Research learning area development management

Rose Miranda m.rose@latrobe.edu.au Speech pathology, rehabilitation

Ross Robert r.ross@latrobe.edu.au Sensors, robotics, low-power remote monitoring, microcontrollers

Roura Alvaro a.rouralabiaga@latrobe.edu.au Molecular trophic ecology, biological oceanography, zooplankton, biodiversity

Rowles Alexei a.rowles@latrobe.edu.au Conservation biology

Rudner Julie j.rudner@latrobe.edu.au International aid and development

Russell John j.russell@latrobe.edu.au Engineering, global warming and change

Ryoo Heajin (Heidi) h.ryoo@latrobe.edu.au Empirical econometrics, international finance

Sale Peter p.sale@latrobe.edu.au Subsoil, agronomy, soil water

Salisbury Fiona f.salisbury@latrobe.edu.au Learning and teaching

Sanchez-Urribarri Raul r.sanchezu@latrobe.edu.au Crime, justice and legal studies

Sarker Subir s.sarker@latrobe.edu.au Innate and adaptive immunity, viral pathogenesis, host-viral interaction, viral evolution

Sawbridge Tim t.sawbridge@latrobe.edu.au Applied systems biology

Scasni Rose r.scasni@latrobe.edu.au Administration research focus area, business processes

Semenec Lucie 17653203@students.latrobe.edu.au Microbial fuel cell, electrogens, electric bacteria, syntrophic interactions, biofilms

Sephton Michael Gordon mgsephton@students.latrobe.edu.au

Seviour Robert r.seviour@latrobe.edu.au Microbiology

38

SFWE research members

Shackleton Michael m.shackleton@latrobe.edu.au Genetic, DNA barcoding, aquatic Invertebrates, macroinvertebrates, biomonitoring

Shepherd Susan s.shepherd@latrobe.edu.au Dietetics

Sheridan Linda l.sheridan@latrobe.edu.au Partnerships, libraries

Shield Jennifer J.Shield@latrobe.edu.au Biology, parasitology

Silvester Ewen e.silvester@latrobe.edu.au Alpine ecology, fresh water biogeochemistry

Simsion Daniel Dennis ddsimsion@students.latrobe.edu.au

Singh Jugdutt (Jack) jack.singh@latrobe.edu.au Technology, infrastructure, communications

Skabar Andrew a.skabar@latrobe.edu.au Computer science, artificial intelligence

Slade Bret b.slade@latrobe.edu.au Emergency management, disaster management, resilience

Smith Colin colin.smith@latrobe.edu.au Bimolecular archaeology

Smith Dorothy dorothy.smith@latrobe.edu.au Science education

Smith Nicholas nicholas.smith@latrobe.edu.au Social and cultural anthropology

Soares da Costa Tatiana P. t.soaresdacosta@latrobe.edu.au Diaminopimelate pathway, lysine, herbicide, bacteriology

Sohi Rajneet Singh rssohi@students.latrobe.edu.au

Spangenberg German g.spangenberg@latrobe.edu.au Plant genetics and genomics

Spithill Terry t.spithill@latrobe.edu.au Liver fluke, Fasciola, vaccine, molecular parasitology, drug resistance

Stanisich Vilma v.stanisich@latrobe.edu.au Microbiology, molecular genetics

Steinbauer Martin m.steinbauer@latrobe.edu.au Insect-plant interactions, chemical ecology, Psylloidea, entomology, plant physiology

Stewart Alistair a.stewart@latrobe.edu.au Environmental education, outdoor education

Stirling Emma e.stirling@latrobe.edu.au Nutrition, food production and processing, nutrition composition and profiling

Stoffels Rick r.stoffels@latrobe.edu.au Environmental management and ecology

Supski Sian s.supski@latrobe.edu.au Sustainability and social justice

Suter Phillip p.suter@latrobe.edu.au Taxonomy, DNA, morphological characteristics, thermal conditions, alpine spring

Tabacco Jamie Lucas jltabacco@students.latrobe.edu.au

Tang Caixian c.tang@latrobe.edu.au Soil management, crop nutrition, rhizosphere, soil constraints

Tatucu Oana o.tatucu@latrobe.edu.au Critical care nutrition, gastrointestinal system

Tay David d.tay@latrobe.edu.au Big data analytics, signal processing

Tegegne Surafel Melaku s.tegegne@latrobe.edu.au Micronutrients, c. elegans, axenic media

Tenorio Pedro pflorestenorio@students.latrobe.edu.au Biodiversity conservation, ecosystem resilience valuation, tropical forests

Thomas Colleen colleen.thomas@latrobe.edu.au Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, myocardial ischaemia, gene therapy, micro RNA

Thomas Philippa

Tisdall Judith j.tisdall@latrobe.edu.au Viticultural science and soil science

Toet Hayley h.toet@latrobe.edu.au Animal and veterinary bioscience, liver fluke

Torabi Torab t.torabi@latrobe.edu.au Software engineering, mobile development, system modelling, simulation

Tran An an.tran@latrobe.edu.au Engineering, broadband communication networks and systems

Triadis Dimetre d.triadis@latrobe.edu.au Mathematics, statistics, differential geometry

Truscott Kaye k.truscott@latrobe.edu.au Biochemistry, molecular biology, mitochondria biogenesis, neurodegenerative diseases

Tucci Joseph j.tucci@latrobe.edu.au Microbiology, bacteriophage alternatives to antibiotics

Turnbull Jodi j.turnbull@latrobe.edu.au Victorian goldfields

Uren Nicholas n.uren@latrobe.edu.au Soil chemistry, agricultural science

Van Der Weerden Nicole n.vanderweerden@latrobe.edu.au Biotechnology, biochemistry and molecular biology

Vassiliadis Simone s2vassiliadis@students.latrobe.edu.au

Vaux David d.vaux@latrobe.edu.au Biochemistry, molecular science, cancer, cell death

Veneer Prem p.veneer@latrobe.edu.au

Venn Susanna s.venn@latrobe.edu.au Plant ecology, alpine ecology, community ecology, snow ecology

Villacorte Cecilia cecilia.villacorte@utas.edu.au

Walker David d.walker@latrobe.edu.au Forest and agricultural economics, climate change

Walker Lyn l.walker@latrobe.edu.au Administration

39

Capability Statement

Wang Yan yan.wang@latrobe.edu.au Mitochondrial retrograde signalling, plant stress resistance, mitochondrial respiration

Wang Xiaojuan (Juan) xiaojuan.wang@latrobe.edu.au Soil organic carbon, soil acidification, rhizosphere priming effect, phosphorus acquisition

Warren Anne a.warren@latrobe.edu.au Zoology

Watanabe Yugo y2watanabe@students.latrobe.edu.au CRH, TSH, pituitary, thyroid hormone, life stage transitions

Watson Simon s.watson@latrobe.edu.au Threatened species, conservation management

Watson Garth g.watson@latrobe.edu.au

Weaver Debbie d.weaver@latrobe.edu.au Learning, teaching, online learning

Webb John john.webb@latrobe.edu.au Hydrogeology, hydrogeochemistry, geomorphology

Webster Kate k.webster@latrobe.edu.au Sport, exercise and rehabilitation

Wells John j.wells@latrobe.edu.au

Westerman Michael m.westerman@latrobe.edu.au Phylogenetics, biogeography, dasyuridae, peramelemorphia, kangaroos

Weston Ross r.weston@latrobe.edu.au Biochemistry, molecular biology

Wheeler Melanie m.wheeler@latrobe.edu.au

Whelan James (Jim) j.whelan@latrobe.edu.au Arabidopsis rice, phosphate, abiotic stress, retrograde signalling, genomics

White Lloyd lloyd.white@latrobe.edu.au Human anatomy

Whiteman Kendra kendra.whiteman@depi.vic.gov.au Agribioscience, visitor and student coordination

Wilkens Sabine s.wilkens@latrobe.edu.au Soil, water, ecology

Wilmsen Brooke b.wilmsen@latrobe.edu.au Social policy, migration, sustainable livelihoods

Wilson Jessica j.wilson@latrobe.edu.au

Wiltshire Jen jlwiltshire@students.latrobe.edu.au Soil, ecology, environment

Wishart David d.wishart@latrobe.edu.au Intellectual property, corporate law

Woelkerling William w.woelkerling@latrobe.edu.au Taxonomy, ecology, biodiversity

Wood David d.wood@latrobe.edu.au

Woodings Laura 17869067@students.latrobe.edu.au

Woolley Patricia p.woolley@latrobe.edu.au Reproductive biology of dasyurid marsupials of Australia and New Guinea

Wright Joanne joanne.wright@latrobe.edu.au Administration, building healthy communities

Wright David d.wright@latrobe.edu.au Research performance

Xu Jianming j.xu@latrobe.edu.au Soil, biology, biochemistry

Yen Alan a.yen@latrobe.edu.au Applied systems biology

Contacts and further information

Securing Food, Water and the Environment RFA

La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086

T: 03 9032 7463

E: sfwe@latrobe.edu.au

W: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/research/research-focus-areas/securing-food-water-environment