Our Team
Dr. Skye Thomas-Hall
Team leader for the Algae Biotechnology Group and site manager for the Algae Energy Farm., s.thomashall@uq.edu.auI 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 Carvalhais
Post Doctoral Fellow, l.carvalhais@uq.edu.auPlant-microbe interactions focusing on plant defence mechanisms, plant nutrition, root exudates and microbial ecology
Dr. Richard Moyle
Research Manager, Nexgen Plants Pty Ltd, r.moyle1@uq.edu.auThe Nexgen Plants research group studies plant-virus interactions.
Our aim is to achieve robust crop resistance to plant viruses.
Find more information about Nexgen Plants Pty Ltd at http://www.nexgenplants.com
Ekaterina Nowak
Research Scientist and Lab Manager, k.nowak@uq.edu.auAs a part of Nexgen team, I'm currently developing pathogen-resistant crops using molecular plant breeding techniques.
I am also the curator of Queensland microalgae culture collection.
Nilmini Jayalath
Research Assistant, n.jayalath@uq.edu.auI began my career in South Australia as a Research Assistant in the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics (ACPFG) at the University of Adelaide. Then, I joined in the Soil Contaminant Ecotoxicology group at CSIRO Land and Water SA approximately nine years. I worked as a Research Assistant in the CSIRO Agriculture SA too.
I completed my PhD in Science in August, 2016 in the School of Agriculture at the University of Adelaide and graduated in the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
I love the climate in Brisbane and the crops originated from particularly, tropical /sub-tropical regions. Therefore, I am delighted be a member of Schenk Group and the Nexgen Team.
Lara-Simone Pretorius
PhD Student, larasimone.pretorious@uqconnect.edu.auI am currently in the third year of my PhD studying plant-virus interactions. I became part of the Schenklab team in 2010 undertaking a mini research project for my undergraduate degree, and they just couldn't get rid of me. I love Schenk lab and consider all lab members (past, present and future) my crazy, fun-loving, super multicultural, science family.
I am also a member of the Nexgen Plants Team which is dedicated to helping plants defend themselves against viruses and aims to prevent million of dollars of crop losses in the future. I am extremely passionate about this work and the meaningful contribution it is making to the pursuit of science and our never ending quest for knowledge.
Dr. Ali Malekizadeh
Postdoctoral Researcher - Environmental and Chemical Engineer, a.malekizadeh@uq.edu.auDuring my PhD research I discovered a new technology for water treatment, oil separation and food processing. The patent has been secured worldwide and I am currently working with our industry partners on a collaborative research & development project to commercialize the new filtration technology.
Dr Cristiana Dal’Molin
Bioengineer Consultant Expert | Project leader | Algae systems biology, c.gomesdeoliveira@uq.edu.auI assist the team on the development of genome-scale metabolic reconstruction and modelling: a platform technology that is used for detailed analysis of the microalgae metabolic capabilities to produce products of industrial interest.
Find more information about Dr. Dal’Molin’s expertise and projects of interest here: http://researchers.uq.edu.au/researcher/1631
Eugenie Singh
Honors Student, eugenie.singh@uq.net.auI am interested in studying the phyllosphere microbiome of plants for biological interactions that inhibit the progression of foliar (leaf surface) diseases. This research is of utmost importance as it provides potentially new biocontrol application agents that can contribute to crop protection.
Dr. Eladl Eltanahy
Postdoctoral Researcher, eladl@mans.edu.eghttp://eladl.net
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.
Vivian Rincon florez
PhD Student, v.rinconflorez@uq.edu.auI am a microbiologist from the Universidad de Los Andes in Bogota, Colombia. My research focuses on the effect of strategic tillage in soil microbial communities from soils under long-term no-tillage in QLD, Australia.
Cui Yi (Ian)
PhD Student, shjzhcuiyi@hotmail.comMy research project is oil production from Phaeodactylum tricornutum. I am interested in the induction of EPA and DHA in this magical creature.
Liam Zanchetta
Honours Student, liam.zanchetta@outlook.comMy honours project involves the anaerobic digestion of algae biomass in an effort to reduce the overall cost and inputs when producing biodiesel from algae. Biogas will be produced through the digestion process which can be used to create heating or provide electricity but mainly it will be burnt to provide the beneficial CO2 that the algae need to grow.
Anahid Al-Amery
PhD Student, anahid.alamery@uqconnect.edu.auEnvironmental stresses have a negative effect on crop production and food accessibility. The emergence of the novel technologies, such as gene technology and molecular biology, is now allowing researchers to identify the genetic behind plant stress responses. My research area of interest is to use the plant’s natural hormone Brassinosteroid (BR) to increase cotton yield under suboptimal conditions.
Hong Chyng Ng
Honours Student, hong.ng@uq.net.auMy research focus is to isolate new Nannochloropsis strains and maximise their EPA production.
Annabel Hutchinson
Honours Student, annabel.hutchinson@uq.net.auMy research compares the yield of duckweed grown using mineral and organic fertiliser and its application as an animal fodder.
Elvis T. Chua
PhD Student, elvis_chua@yahoo.comwww.facebook.com/elvis.chua.14
My research focus is to optimize the lipid extraction of Nannochloropsis sp. and to determine the valuable compounds left in the biomass.
Sharifah Farhana
PhD student, shr.farhana@gmail.comMy research is currently focusing on the biodiscovery of biological control agents and antagonistic compounds against Phytophthora spp. : elucidating the mechanisms of microbe-microbe interactions.l
Heejae Jung
Honours Student, kisuksa302@hotmail.commy research focuses on efficient harvesting techniques and mechanism from various microalgae. I am also interested in aqua-feed using microalgae.
Yuet Kiu (Vicky) Choy
Honours Student, yuet.choy@uq.net.auMy honours project is focused on the screening of efficient bacteria control agents against two strawberry rotting pathogens.
Ying Wang
Masters Student, ying.wang11@uq.net.auMy research is focused on developing efficient lipid extraction techniques from the oleaginous microalga Nannochloropsis sp. BR2 in order to secure more sustainable sources of omega-3 fatty acids. I am currently investigating a pre-treatment method to break the algal cell walls; improving oil extraction.
Faruq Ahmed
PhD Student, f.ahmed1@uq.edu.auMy research focuses on including microalgae to produce carotenoids and phytosterols and understanding the mechanism of such actions
Forough Ghasemi Naghdi
PhD Student, f.ghaseminaghdi@uq.edu.auMy research focuses on developing optimum procedures for the extraction of lipids from various microalgae
Ahmad Rosli
PhD Student, ahmad.rosli@uqconnect.edu.auMy research involves the effective screening and characterization of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), which are a class of rhizobacteria that resides in the soil rhizosphere of plants, that directly and indirectly promotes plant growth and sustains overall plant health.
Hongwei Liu
PhD Student, hongwei.liu@uq.connect.auMy PhD research interests lie primarily in plant mediated effects on rhizosphere/endosphere microbial community.
My current research topic of interest is to determine the effects of activation of wheat hormone pathways/wheat crown rot disease on the rhizosphere microbial community structure and functional diversity.
Hooman Mirzaee
PhD Student, h.mirzaee@uq.edu.auMy 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.
Thorya Fallath
PhD Student, thorya.fallath@uq.net.auI am interested in understanding the interactions between the Mediator complex subunit 25 and some transcription factors
Lina Gonzalez
PhD Student, lina.gonzalezgonzalez@uq.net.auMy research project is focused on the optimization of a closed loop for biofuels production from microalgae through anaerobic digestion and nutrient recycling.
Faisal Alsenani
PhD Student, Faisal.alsenani@uqconnect.edu.auMy research focuses on screening and isolation of natural health products and new antibiotics from microalgae.
In 2016 I participated in the 1st Australia New Zealand Marine Biotechnology Society Symposium.
please refer to: Alsenani, F., et al. (2016). External stimuli to induce nutraceutical biosynthesis in marine microalgae.
Diego F. Correa
PhD Student, diego.correagomez@uq.net.auMy research is focused on environmental resource management and the potential trade-offs or synergies between production and conservation. It involves the selection of suitable areas for the construction of micro-algae production facilities at a regional scale, taking into account ecological, social and economic factors. This project includes collaborators from the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences and the School of Biological Sciences.
Ambreen Aslam
PhD Student, a.ambreen@uq.edu.auI have been focusing on ''Biodiesel production by microalgae cultivation through conversion of Industrial Carbon Dioxide"
Ruijuan Ma
PhD student, ruijuanma@hotmail.comMy research focus on improving astaxanthin production from Haematococcus, and understanding the mechanism of different factors on astaxanthin biosynthesis.