Postgraduate study in plant biosecurity

Dr Kirsty Bayliss is the CRCNPB Program Leader for Education and Training. She is a plant pathologist and has worked on plant diseases affecting many crops including pastures, legumes, and oilseeds as well as native ecosystems and plantations. Dr Bayliss has also worked in plant tissue culture and plant breeding, specifically in the production of doubled haploids and molecular marker-assisted breeding. In her current role Kirsty is responsible for coordinating the PhD training program within the CRCNPB. She also develops various workshops and training days for staff and students working in plant biosecurity, and oversees the running of a successful school education program. Dr Bayliss is also a member of the international QUADs education program, aimed at developing international standards for teaching biosecurity. Based at Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia, Kirsty lectures in biosecurity, plant pathology and plant biotechnology and is currently the Academic Chair for biosecurity courses.

• Murdoch Courses Enrolment Page
• Murdoch University handbook entry for Certificate
• Murdoch University handbook entry for Diploma
• Murdoch University handbook entry for Masters
• Murdoch CRICOS Provider Code: 00125J

David Merritt joined the University of Queensland, originally in the Department of Entomology, in 1996. His research encompasses insect development and ecological physiology. He is interested in development of the insect nervous system, the insect glandular system and the development of biomimetic materials based on insect secretions. He uses techniques such as light and confocal microscopy, immunostaining, and genetic approaches in this work. Current research projects in his lab include investigations of the development of dermal glands in Drosophila and the venom and royal jelly-producing glands of the honeybee Apis mellifera. Another project is an investigation of the regulation of bioluminescence in the genus Arachnocampa (Diptera: Keroplatidae) found in caves and rainforest of Australia and New Zealand. The larvae of these flies, known as glowworms, produce light from their malpighian tubules to attract prey to their sticky webs. Members of his lab have carried out a phylogenetic study of Arachnocampa and now the focus is on investigating the substantial differences in circadian rhythmicity and regulation of bioluminescence between cave and forest species. David leads a cross-institutional curriculum development project for teaching entomology associated with the Entomology Curriculum Australia (ECA). He has been involved in coordination of flexibly- delivered entomology courses since 2001. The implementation plan for the entomology curriculum uses web-based delivery employing mini-lectures in the form of movie files that enable students to hear the contextualisation of information. Four subjects were implemented in 2010 and have been on offer since then. Some courses have an intensive period when students attend the offering institution for several days. Another successful initiative arising from the project is the entomology.edu.au web site that is a central site for resources about insects in education at all levels, with >16000 hits since its launch in October 2008.

Expertise: Mike Keller is an entomologist who joined the University of Adelaide in 1987. His research largely focuses on insect natural enemies and their role in biological control of insect pests. Research Interests: Biology (Evolution), Pest Management, Biosecurity, Viticulture, Teaching Methology and Curriculum Development. Research on predators and parasitic wasps aims to provide ecological strategies for the enhancement of biological control in agricultural systems through a combination of experimental and theoretical advances. His research is funded by the Australian Research Council and Horticulture Australia Ltd. In addition, he contributes to research on the domestication of blue-banded bees for pollination of tomatoes in greenhouses. More »

Expertise: Organization and Function of Cells and Organisms, Plant Science, Plant Biotechnology – analysis of plant gene function, plant genomics and genetics, Sustainable Plant Production Research interests: My research is focused on the interactions of pathogenic fungi and plants. The main goal of my research is to understand the mechanisms involved in interactions between fungal pathogens and their plant hosts. The ultimate aim will be to identify and isolate the genes involved in these interactions with a view to improving the plant’s natural resistance barriers to diseases and pests. More »

Research Interests: Tropical floodplain ecology, Plant population ecology, Weed ecology. Professional Highlights National Carrick Institute Citation (2006) for An engaging, flexible postgraduate program, focusing on tropical Australia and building skills and understandings for regional Professionals in authentic learning contexts. ($10,000) http://www.carrickinstitute.edu.au/carrick/go/pid/97. In collaboration with Dr Keith Mc Guinness, Dr Lindsay Hutley, Dr Diane Pearson and Dr Samantha Setterfield (CDU). More »

Expertise: Crop protection (weed management, herbicides, herbicide resistance); crop protection (resistance); weeds (management and control) Research Interests: The Weed Science lab has a range of interests in weed management issues. These include the evolution, biochemical mechanisms of herbicide resistant weeds, gene flow from herbicide tolerant crops and its implications for farm management, risk assessment for weeds and herbicide tolerant crops and patterns of genetic diversity in weed populations. More »