I have been involved in research at the CCDM since 2022 as part of my Bachelor of Advanced Science degree at Curtin University, majoring in Molecular Genetics. I initially assisted with the development of diagnostics to investigate the genomics of the Périgord black truffle. Since then, my studies have focused on genome assembly and effector characterisation in two fungal pathogens A. viciae and A. viciae-villosae, the casual agents of ascochyta blight in vetch, graduating with first-class honours under the supervision of Dr. Robert Lee and Dr. Lars Kamphuis.
PhD project Title: Effector discovery in Phaeosphaeria avenaria and their roles in septoria avenea blotch of oat.
Summary: In 2025, I am commencing my PhD with a research project focusing on effector discovery in Phaeosphaeria avenaria, the causal agent of septoria avenea blotch (SAB) in oat. My project aims to identify necrotrophic effectors produced by this pathogen and establish knowledge of their roles in the disease, ultimately providing tools to improve SAB disease resistance in oats.
Supervisors: Dr. Huyen Phan (primary) and Dr. Lars Kamphuis