PhD Candidate

Bachelor Advanced Science - Biology (2018) Macquarie University, NSW, Australia; Double MSc - Erasmus Mundus Master Programme in Evolutionary Biology (https://www.evobio.eu) - MSc Ecology & Evolution (2020) University of Groningen, The Netherlands, and MSc Environment (2020) University of Montpellier, France; PhD Candidate (2022 onwards) Macquarie University, NSW, Australia.

My interests include Microbiome studies, Entomology, and Bioinformatics to answer exciting questions in Biology and solve global issues in Agriculture and Conservation. My current research involves studying the microbial ecology and behaviour of the small hive beetle, which is a major honey bee pest in Eastern Australia. From my research outcomes, I hope to develop methods to control the small hive beetle pest and reduce its negative impact on Australian apiculture and agriculture, in accordance with the grant provided by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAFF), Australia.

In my free time, I enjoy reading about philosophy, politics, and cultures, whilst discussing these topics with my friends to exchange our thoughts and perspectives for a more holistic view. I am also a practitioner of martials arts such as Muay Thai kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

PhD Candidate

BSc. Agriculture (Wayamba University of Sri Lanka), 2014; MSc. Plant protection Technology (Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka) 2022; MRes (2024) Macquarie University, NSW, Australia 

I am fascinated by many topics and subjects around me, mainly I am interested in entomology and pathology or infections, immunity, pollinator biology, and anything related to entomology or insects. I did some work on Phytophthora and some other fungi diseases during my undergraduate and I have done my postgraduate research on rice weevil. At Macquarie, I will be working to find the intergenerational effect of agrochemicals on Drosophila. 

In my spare time, I love doing cross-stitch and baking.

PhD Candidate

BSc. Aquatic Resources Technology, Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka (2021); MRes (2024) Macquarie University, NSW, Australia  

My research interest lies in applied nutrition and bioactives and I have initially worked on using different Sri Lankan seaweeds as nutraceuticals. My MRes project, and now my PhD research under the ARC Training Centre for Facilitated Advancement of Australia’s Bioactives at Macquarie University, explores the utilisation of different waste streams as substrates for insects, for the subsequent production of insect meal as an aquaculture feed ingredient. 

In my free time, you would find me reading, watching old movies or visiting new places.

MRes Candidate

BSc. Hons. Zoology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka (2019); MRes Y2 candidature (2025) Macquarie University, NSW, Australia. 

My research interests mainly focus on insect-related infection and immunity, with experience investigating the epidemiology and transmission of Leishmania donovani infections in Sri Lanka. During my undergraduate studies, I conducted research on isolating and identifying cellulase-producing and sugar-fermenting bacteria for ethanol production, exploring ethanol as a sustainable second-generation biofuel. Currently, I am involved in a project at Macquarie University focusing the effects of probiotics on honeybee health and foraging behaviour.

During my spare time, I enjoy watching movies and trying out new recipes.

Post-Doctoral Fellow

BSc - Biology honours (2010), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka; PhD - Biological Sciences (2019), Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia

I am interested in entomology, agricultural pest management, pollination biology and insect behaviours. My current research focuses on developing broad-spectrum probiotics to help honey bees to fight against their pathogens. I have professional experience with the Northern Territory Government, where I was involved in honey bee research investigating the role of honey bees in transmitting plant pathogens when pollinating crops. During my PhD, I investigated the effect of natural predators on the survival of releasing sterile Queensland Fruit Flies (Q-fly) and how predator - Q-fly interaction affects the success of the SIT control. 

In my spare time, I enjoy playing volleyball with friends.

Research Technical Assistant

Bachelor of Biodiversity and Conservation, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia (2024)

The main research areas I am interested in includes agricultural pest management, biosecurity, pollination biology, and entomology. I have assisted with several projects within the lab group, such as researching the microbial ecology and behaviour of the small hive beetle to develop pest control strategies, creating a broad-spectrum probiotic to reduce the impact of common honey bee pathogens, and developing a fungal-based control for Varroa mite pest management.

In my free time, I enjoy thinking about my next travel destination, having discovered my passion for travel after spending a few months exploring Africa. I also like reading crime fiction and playing tennis.

Research Officer on Bee Probiotics 

BZool - Animal Ecology (2014) University of New England, NSW; MConsBiol - Wildlife Management (2017), MRes (2019), PhD - Insect Behavioural Ecology and Evolution (2023) Macquarie University, NSW, Australia

I am interested in many areas – Entomology, Conservation, Animal Behaviour, Evolutionary Biology, Taxonomy and Systematics. My PhD research traverses several areas which includes understanding the biotic and abiotic effects on the variation in warning signals, chemical defence ecology, and confirming the taxonomy of Amata tiger moths in eastern Australia. I'm currently working on a research project that is attempting to develop a broad-spectrum probiotic to help honey bees increase resistance to common bee pathogens. I have a professional background in wildlife management (specifically in Macropods) and conservation biology (Chiroptera). 

In my previous life, I was a bartender and sang in a punk band, and now I'm really into fibre, glass and metal arts and photographing nature. Website 

PhD Candidate

Bachelor in Crop Science, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi, Vietnam (2013); MRes (2020) and PhD Candidate in Biological Science, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia.

My research interests focus on insect biology, ecology and behaviour. I have worked on different insect models including the armyworm Spodoptera exigua (Undergraduate thesis), and the Queensland fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni (MRES thesis). I'm currently working on Drosophila melanogaster to explore the effects of ecological factors such as nutrition, density and bacterial infection on the life history traits and behaviour of the insects. I am also interested in implementing biological control techniques and being involved in pest management programs in agricultural production. 

Besides these, I love cooking, listening to music, singing and photographing in my spare time.

All images of D. melanogaster belong to Anh!

PhD Candidate

BSc Chemistry (2018 University of Bristol, UK); MRes Entomology (2020 University of Reading, UK); PhD candidate (University of Bristol/Macquarie University, Australia) 

During my Master’s I started to explore my interest in insect ecology through the study of swarming behaviour in midges and habitat preferences of bee-flies. Drawing on my multi-disciplinary background, my current research involves modelling and experimental techniques to investigate the ecological and evolutionary interactions between insect vectors of disease and their microbial symbionts. 

Outside of the lab you’ll find me wild swimming, baking or learning a new craft.

PhD Candidate and Technical Assistant

BAdvSc – Biology and Palaeobiology (2017); MRes – Biological Sciences (2021); PhD Candidate, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia

I am a PhD candidate interested in examining bee health and performance in the face of stressors and exploring potential ways to alleviate these stressors, improve bee welfare and pollinator management. Currently my main research focuses on investigating the effect of pesticides and antibiotics on bee gut microbiota, learning, memory, and foraging, as well as exploring possible ways to mitigate negative effects through the application of probiotics.

When I am not with my bees, I love to go insect/fossil hunting or playing Dungeons & Dragons.

PhD Candidate

BSc in Microbiology, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh (2013-2018); MSc (Research) in Microbiology, UNSW, Sydney, Australia (2018-2021); PhD student, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia (2021-present).

I am a PhD student in the School of Natural Sciences at Macquarie University with Dr Rachael Dudaniec as my primary supervisor and Dr Fleur Ponton as my associate supervisor. Prior to this, I completed my MSc (Research) in Professor Rick Cavicchioli’s lab at UNSW, Sydney, where I analysed metagenomes of previously under-studied lakes in the Vestfold Hills of East Antarctica. My current PhD research focuses on pollinator-pathogen association with nutrition and environment. By undertaking a suite of genomic approaches to assess bee health in Australia, I am hoping to answer critical questions regarding bee health and evolution, essential for managing biosecurity risks to pollination services. Thus, my PhD project will contribute towards Australia’s capacity for disease surveillance, including live bee imports and invasive bees.

When I am not in the lab, I am either sleeping at home or eating out with friends. During weekends, I will most definitely stay up all night to binge psychological thrillers at home and sleep entirely the next day to recover from the said binge.