Zappia

In 2008 I completed a BSc (Hons) in Molecular Biology from the Centre for Rhizobium Studies at Murdoch University. My research focused on Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria and the mechanisms they employ to enhance host plant root development.

Currently, I am enrolled as a PhD student with the Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity, due for completion in 2012. My project is assessing the risk of plant pathogens in the irrigation channels of the Ord River Irrigation Area located in the Kimberley region of northern Western Australia.

I am very excited about this project, as it will be the first Australian project to comprehensively assess and identify what plant pathogens are present in irrigation water. This project will also be the first to assess the impact these pathogens have on plant biosecurity. The outcomes from the research will be highly relevant to other irrigated areas across Australia and overseas, particularly in respect to crop management and will contribute considerably to scholarly knowledge in this field.