I manage the diverse algae research projects performed by PhD and honours students working with Schenk Lab. My main interests centre around the production and processing of microalgae for nutraceuticals such as omega 3 fatty acids, carotenoids and pigments.
I have extensive experience in large scale low cost algae cultivation, the main focus being production of biomass as a high protein feed supplement for livestock and aquaculture. The long term vision for microalgae is the sustainable production of biofuels, this is what sparked my initial interest in microalgae. ​

Dr Lilia C. Carvalhais is a biologist driven by a curiosity to understand the factors that affect beneficial and detrimental interactions between plants and microbes, as well as the diversity of soil and plant-associated microbial communities. Her purpose is to make use of nature’s arsenal to tackle problems that threaten environmental conservation and food security. She has worked with a range of beneficial and pathogenic microbes across model, grain, tree, and horticultural plant species, grown in managed and natural habitats in many different countries, including Brazil, Germany, Australia, USA, and Papua New Guinea. Lilia has expertise in molecular biology, plant nutrition, microbial ecology, biological indicators of soil health, bio-prospection of natural products produced by microbes, plant biotechnology, molecular diagnostics and plant pathology.

I am a PostDoc Researcher currently investigating the agricultural applications of microalgae as a source of EPA, DHA protein for livestock and aquaculture feed supplement.
I have 13 years experience in Halophilic Dunaliella open pond production, livestock effluent biological treatment and nutritive value of microalgae in aquaculture ecosystem.

I am a Visiting Academic at Schenk lab. Trained algal biotechnologist skilled with experience
of microalgae cultivation in large scale open raceway ponds, circular ponds and closed
photo-bioreactors at locations across the world (India, South Korea, South Africa, and now
Australia). My research interest extends from fundamental biochemistry of microalgal
systems to industry oriented investigations. I am currently working on scale-up studies of
methods developed for enhancement of commercially important microalgal metabolites.
Other aspects of my research involves-cultivation of commercially important microalgae
using automated open raceway pond, role of ROS in microalgal response to stress, and
enhancement, extraction and purification of high value chemicals from microalgae.

My research has mainly focused on finding new antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) especially bacteriocins. To achieve this goal I apply two different approaches culturable and unculturable methods. In addition, I have plans to introduce some AMP genes to plants and investigate the level of resistance in challenge with pathogens.

I am interested in developing biological control agents and strategies; and further extending current understanding of the mechanisms involved during plant-microbe and plant defence interactions. For my PhD, I worked to discover natural biological suppression of soil-borne diseases and growth promotion using biological control agents; how plants defend themselves against pathogens at the cellular and whole plant level. I studied biocontrol capabilities of soil bacterial isolates in plants to identifying plant molecular marker genes involved in disease suppression to Phytophthora capsica, by performing plant disease-suppressing assay. Apart from that, I also studied the mechanism of actions of plant-growth promotion bacteria using various biochemical assays and chromatography analysis and how they might be used commercially for various purposes.

Soil bacteria provide significant benefits to plants by increasing nutrient uptake and defense against diseases. My current research focuses on the use of natural bioactive compounds isolated from specific soil bacteria as biopesticides for improving crop plants resistance against destructive fungi and oomycetes.
My future work will involve microbiome engineering and selecting microbiome-optimized plants. New approach of "microbiome breeding" will be used for a number of crop plants in natural soils by continuously selecting those plant-associated microbiomes that stimulate plant growth the most. Outputs from this project include customized, more stable plant-microbe interactions, breeding of crop-optimized microbiomes and selection of microbe-optimized cultivars. The expected outcomes will further advance our knowledge in beneficial plant-microbiome interactions leading to significant increases in the crop productivity and improvements in plants tolerance against abiotic and biotic stresses, thus making a beneficial contribution in global food security.

I am an international student from Pakistan doing my PhD from The University of Queensland at Prof. Peer Schenk's Laboratory at School of Agriculture and Food Sciences (SAFS). Generally, my focal area is based upon beneficial impact of soil microbes, mainly bacteria, towards growth and development of potentially important agricultural crops and optimization of conditions for their better performance towards plant growth promotion. My generally used techniques involve microbiology lab based techniques, Plant Tissue Culture and Molecular Biology lab tools

I am studying plant-microbe interactions, specifically on how soil bacteria promote plant growth and control Oomycete pathogens. Being equipped with knowledge in Molecular Biotechnology, I am dedicated to resolving issues regarding plant diseases through scientific approaches for the benefits of the society. As an environmental and agricultural enthusiast, I am devoted to the ultimate goal in ensuring food security.

I am currently pursuing my Masters Research Project where my role involves optimization of algal biomass under seven light emitting diodes that can potentially be applied in food, feed or fuel. I have also been working on the production of algal caviar using different algae strains on a pilot scale that can later be used as food products. Apart from working under Prof. Schenk in School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, I have been previously involved in cancer research back in Assam, India and here, mainly focusing in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (while pursuing my Bachelor of Technology in Bioengineering) and Breast cancer and Melanoma (while interning at QIMR, Herston).

My research focus is to optimize the lipid extraction of Nannochloropsis sp. and to determine the valuable compounds left in the biomass.

Ken studied Biotechnology at Griffith University before working in diagnostic biochemistry for nearly a decade. He spends his free time as a wildlife carer and a ‘mad scientist’, tinkering in his home lab.
Recently, he has returned to academia at UQ where he graduated Bachelor of Science with Honours First Class, and was awarded a PhD placement and scholarship.
He is currently working on industrialised recovery of fuels and other valued commodities from microalgae, with hope to impact the growing climate, food and energy crises that face us in the early 21st Century.

“Every human being has a born-duty, to ensure the sound stewardship and continuum of this Biosphere. To preserve its fragile and bewildering diversity at all costs; on this planet and the many worlds that await us. We are the custodians of all Terran Life! A profound responsibility!” K. Killeen.

Adi is a consulting process engineer. He is working on a study to establish effective ways of utilising industrial flue gas during algae cultivation. With a passion for responsible stewardship of the environment, his interests are in turning current efforts towards carbon footprint reduction into commercially viable projects in order to ensure sustainability and acceleration of technology take-up.

I completed Professional Masters of Biotechnology mid-2018 at the Schenk Lab, with my research focusing on use of the hydrate filtration system to separate oil from algal lysate and from ethanol solvent extraction. I am currently volunteering two days a week at the Schenk Lab, in between work, where I am continuing to test the hydrate's oil separation capabilities under different conditions.

PGPRGs are plant growth promoting rhizobacteria that live in the soil and can promote plant growth or elicit antibacterial effects against pathogenic bacteria. I am exploring the biocontrol potential of some of these rhizobacterial strains to treat plant diseases such as Cacao black pod rot, and Rice blast. These diseases are caused by the pathogens Phytophthora palmivora and Pyricularia Oryzae, respectively. They have worldwide importance and are of especial interest to me as they affect two of the key crops in my country (Ecuador). I am also focusing on Bacterial speck, a disease caused by Pseudomonas syringae in tomato. Previous research carried out in this lab identified promising bacteria able to reduce disease symptoms, so my focus is on optimizing the application of biocontrol control.

my research focuses on efficient harvesting techniques and mechanism from various microalgae. I am also interested in aqua-feed using microalgae.