Current Research Team

  • Kirsten Benkendorff

    Professor of Marine Science, Team Leader

  • Muhammad Islami

    PhD student Post-flood recovery of benthic invertebrates in northern NSW estuaries

  • Benjamin Gray

    PhD Student: Assessment of the interactive effects of climate change, floods, and discard stress on the commercially important Mud Crab (Scylla serrata) and Blue Swimmer Crab (Portunus armatus)

  • Kate Summer

    PhD student. Oyster hemolymph for treating respiratory infections

  • Kate Seinor

    Fishery biology and ecology of the marine snail, Turbo militaris

  • Christopher Klaas

    PhD student: Potential for leaf oysters in oyster reef restoration

  • Nathaniel Hess

    Water quality and sedimentation associated with oyster leases

  • Jade Fredricks

    PhD student: Incorporating indigenous ecological knowledge for assessment of Garlaany (pippi)

  • Courtney Williams

    Undergraduate project student: Impacts of stormwater run-off on water quality in mid-north coast estuaries

Completed Higher Degree Research Students

  • Tanika Shalders, PhD, 2023, Southern Cross University, Principle supervisor

    The impacts of climate change on the quality, availability & distribution of nutrients derived from harvested marine resources in south-east Australia .

  • Endang Jamal, PhD (2023), Southern Cross University, Co-principal supervisor

    Estuarine contaminants and oyster health in the Richmond River, NSW, Australia

  • Nicola Fraser, PhD (2023), Southern Cross University, Principal supervisor

    Sea anemones in the marine aquarium trade

  • Dr Chamara de Silva Benthotage, 2023, PhD, Southern Cross University, Principle supervisor

    The resilience of leaf oysters (Isognomon ephippium) to variable water quality in northern New South Wales estuaries

  • Louis Iyagbayne, Master of Science, 2022, Southern Cross University, Co-Supervisor

    Manganese and nickel uptake, depuration and toxicity in the sea anemone Exaiptasia pallida and Symbiodinium spp.

  • Karen Wingett, Master of Science, 2022, Southern Cross University, Principal Supervisor

    Understanding the health of an estuary for the restoration of shellfish reefs: is the environment suitable to sustain a new population of oysters?

  • Dr Peter Butcherine, PhD, 2022, Southern Cross University, Principle supervisor

    The impacts of sublethal neonicotinoid exposure on shrimp

  • Dr Andrew Baker, PhD, 2021, Southern Cross University, Principal supervisor

    The ecological consequences of rainforest expansion into fire-excluded open forests of eastern Australia

  • Dr Mathew Nimbs, PhD, 2021, Southern Cross University, Cosupervisor

    The taxonomy and systematics of the Australian Aplysiidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda)

  • Dr Nadine Boulotte, PhD, 2021, Southern Cross University, Cosupervisor

    Leveraging coral larval energy reserves as a tool for overcoming post-settlement survival bottlenecks

  • Dr Endurance Ewere, PhD 2020, Southern Cross University, Principal supervisor

    Impacts of the neonicotinoid insecticide, imidacloprid, on Sydney rock oyster

  • Dylan Laicher-Edwards, 2020, Master of Marine Science and Management, Southern Cross University

    Cosupervisor. Pesticide occurrence in an agriculturally intensive and ecologically important aquatic system in NSW, Australia

  • Dr Nathan Janetzki, 2020, Flinders University, Cosupervisor

    Associations between biota and substrata on rocky seashores in temperate southern Australia

  • Momindur Rahman, Master of Science, 2020, Southern Cross University

    Anti-oxidant activity and in silico modelling of brominated indoles from marine mollusc

  • Dr Jeanette Travis, PhD, 2019,  Southern Cross University, Principal supervisor

    The microbiome of diabetic foot ulcers: comparison of sampling methods and the effects of debridement

  • Dr Tarek Ahmed PhD, 2018, Southern Cross University, Principal supervisor

    In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of extracts from a marine mollusc

  • Dr Roselyn Regino PhD, 2018, Southern Cross University, Principal supervisor

    Ocean climate impacts on the primary and secondary metabolites of a muricid mollusc

  • Dr Bijayalakshimi Devi Nongmaithem, PhD 2018, Southern Cross University, Principal supervisor

    Can whelks contribute to food security and human health?

  • Dr  Cyntia Yokota Harayashiki PhD., 2017, Southern Cross University, Co-supervisor

    Comparative assessment of mercury accumulation and toxicity associated with selected commercially important marine species

  • Dr Roslizawhati Ab Lah, PhD, 2017, Southern Cross University, Co-Principal supervisor

    Biochemical composition of turbinid snails and their sensitivity to ocean climate change

  • Ricky Tate, Masters of Marine Science ad Management, 2017, Southern Cross University, Principal

    supervisor, Effects of ocean acidification and warming on the feeding ecology of the predatory whelk, Dicathais orbita

  • Dr Ajit Kumar Ngangbam, PhD, 2016, Southern Cross University, Principal supervisor

    Symbiotic bacteria and biosynthetic genes in the Muricidae Dicathais orbita

  • Dr David Rudd, PhD, 2015, Flinders University, Principal supervisor

  • Marine Natural Products of Dicathais orbita: Mass spectrometric analysis, in situ imaging and preparative tools for the study of marine secondary metabolites:Chemo-ecological and natural products research on the muricid Dicathais orbita

  • Dr Warwick Noble, Ph.D.  2014, Flinders University, Principal supervisor

    Larval ecology and culture potential of the whelk Dicathais orbita

  • Dr Babak Emaeelian, Ph.D. 2014 Flinders University, Principal Supervisor

    Preclinical trials for the development of marine molluscs extracts as a new complementary medicine for prevention of colorectal cancer

  • Dr Celia Hooper, Ph.D., 2013, University of Melbourne, Co supervisor

    Investigation of immune parameters for monitoring health in abalone

  • Dr Vinh Dang Ph.D. 2012. Flinders University, Principal supervisor

    Antiviral immune responses in abalone and influence of potential abiotic and biotic factors

  • Dr Vicki Edwards, Ph.D. 2012, Flinders University, Co-Principal supervisor

    Reproductive toxicity of the homeopathic remedy and optimised extracts from muricid molluscs

  • Dr Patrick Laffy, Ph.D, 2011, Flinders University, Co-Principal supervisor

    Evolution, gene expression and enzymatic production of Tyrian purple: A molecular study of the Australian muricid Dicathais orbita (Neogastropoda: Muricidae)

  • Dr Ana Glavinic, Ph.D.  2010, Flinders University, Principal supervisor

    Evolution of the Neotrigonia (Bivalvia: Trigonioida)

  • Dr Michael Roberts, PhD, 2009, Flinders University,  Principal supervisor 

    Determination of flesh quality attributes of under-valued large southern rock lobsters

  • Rouyang Wang, Master of Biotechnology Studies, 2009,  Flinders University. Principal supervisor

     Effects of marine mollusc extracts on human immune function

  • Dr Chantel Westley, PhD, 2008, Flinders University, Principal Supervisor

    Biochemical and pharmacological studies on the hypobranchial glands of the muricid mollusc Dicathais orbita

  • Dr Yan Li , Ph.D. 2008, Finders University, Co-supervisor

    Effects of Reproduction on the Physiology and Immune System of Pacific Oysters

  • Dr Neil Collier, Ph.D. 2007 Flinders University, Co-supervisor

    Monitoring butterfly populations in the Adelaide Metropolitan Region

  • Dr  Kara Vine, Ph.D. 2007, University of Wollongong, Co-Supervisor

    An Investigation into the Cytotoxic Properties of Isatin-derived Compounds: Potential use in Targeted Cancer Therapy

  • Dr Rachel Przeslawski, Ph.D. 2005, University of Wollongong, Co-Principal supervisor

    The effects of UV radiation on the egg masses of intertidal molluscs

  • Shaba Fatima Vakalia, Master of Biotechnology Studies, 2005, Flinders University, Principal Supervisor

    Antimicrobial activity in the haemolymph of two Haliotis species and the effect of a dietary immunostimulant