Understanding disease in marine habitats - from molecular mechanisms to ecological consequences

In the last ten years the effects of microbial disease on natural marine communities have become increasingly apparent. It is likely that human impacts via pollution or climate change have played a major role in the prevalence and severity of these diseases. This is particularly true for marine systems where we still have limited understanding of disease processes. We use observational and molecular methods to investigate the interplay between bacterial virulence and environmental factors, such as temperature, light and nutrients, and natural bacterial inhibitors to understand the development and impact of disease using seaweeds as model organisms.

This project aims to 1) characterise of pathogen traits and their role in disease progression 2) investigate the host response to specific pathogens 3) assess the prevalence of seaweed pathogens in the marine environment 4) determine the host range of known marine pathogens. Importantly, you will have the opportunity to explore your personal interests and ideas around this topic.

How to Apply

Express your interest in this project by emailing Associate Professor Suhelen Egan. Include a copy of your CV and your academic transcript(s).