The AMI Microbial Solutions for a Changing World Conference is brought to life by a dedicated Organising Committee, comprising leading scientists and thought leaders in applied microbiology, microbial ecology and environmental science. With expertise spanning greenhouse gas mitigation, pathogen control, and ecosystem restoration, these individuals are driving the scientific agenda of this event, ensuring a platform for innovation and collaboration. Their collective experience and commitment to advancing microbiological research create an inspiring environment for participants, from early career researchers to established experts. Below, explore the backgrounds and achievements of the committee members who are shaping this landmark conference.
Professor Chris Greening
Professor Chris Greening is an internationally recognised microbiologist at Monash University in Australia. His pioneering research focuses on microbial metabolism, resilience, and the critical role of microbes in global biogeochemical cycles. Leading the Greening Lab within Monash’s School of Biological Sciences, his team explores how bacteria survive in extreme and low-nutrient environments and how these organisms drive essential processes like carbon cycling and nitrogen fixation.
A key area of Professor Greening's research investigates how bacteria can "breathe" gases like hydrogen and carbon monoxide, enabling survival in nutrient-scarce and oxygen-limited settings such as soil, sediments, and even within the human body. His work has broad implications, from improving climate resilience in ecosystems to advancing our understanding of microbial roles in health. In recognition of his contributions, Professor Greening has received prestigious awards, including an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship and the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science for his impact on environmental and medical microbiology.
As Chair of the Organising Committee, Professor Greening is committed to fostering collaboration and innovative thinking, guiding the conference to showcase the pivotal role of microbiology in addressing global environmental challenges.
Dr Zahra Islam
Dr Zahra F. Islam is a microbial ecologist and Lecturer in Microbial Biotechnology at the University of Melbourne's School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences. Her research focuses on plant-soil-microbiome interactions, aiming to develop high-throughput methods to isolate beneficial microbes for biofertilisers that enhance plant growth. She also investigates the effects of smart fertilisers on microbial communities, employing both culture-dependent and culture-independent techniques to understand symbiotic and pathogenic interactions between soils, plants, and their associated microbes.
Dr Islam completed her PhD at Monash University in 2020, where she studied how bacteria utilise atmospheric trace gases as alternative energy sources. Her work provided experimental validation for the capacity of major bacterial phyla to use atmospheric hydrogen to fuel dormancy or mixotrophic growth. She has published extensively on topics such as the molecular characterisation of hydrogenases and ecosystem surveys on trace gas oxidisers in extreme environments.
Beyond her research, Dr Islam is committed to scientific communication and outreach. She serves on executive committees for organisations including the Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM) Victoria and the Microbial Ecology and Environmental Microbiology (MEEM) group. She has contributed articles to The Microbiologist, The Conversation, and the Monash Lens, highlighting the importance of microbes in environmental sustainability.
Dr Islam’s dedication to advancing our understanding of microbial roles in biogeochemical cycling has been recognised through grants from the University of Melbourne and the Australian Academy of Sciences. Her interdisciplinary approach and commitment to impactful research make her a leading figure in the fields of microbial biotechnology and environmental science.
Dr Leslie Ubaub
Leslie Ubaub is a lecturer at the University of the South Pacific’s Samoa Campus, where she brings deep expertise in entomology and plant protection to her teaching and research. With a focus on sustainable pest and disease management, her work explores the use of entomopathogenic microorganisms and plants with pesticidal properties to protect crops in Pacific island environments.
Leslie’s academic journey has taken her from a PhD in Entomology (with a minor in Weed Science) at the University of the Philippines Los Baños to international fellowships in the Netherlands and the United States. She’s a Fulbright and Erasmus Mundus fellow and has received numerous awards for her contributions to agricultural science, including the Best Paper Award at the 1st Symposium of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops – Pacific Branch.
Beyond the lab, Leslie is passionate about supporting Pacific agriculture through innovative, locally relevant research. Her dedication to capacity building in the region also extends into teaching, with a Professional Teaching Certificate and years of experience mentoring the next generation of scientists.
Dr Jessica Taylor
Dr Jessica Taylor is a microbial ecologist and research fellow at the Case Lab, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Her research explores microbial symbioses, particularly between Phaeobacter species and microalgal hosts, to enhance protein production from microalgae as a sustainable nutrient source. She employs transcriptomics to investigate protein expression, vesicle production, and extracellular transport in these systems. Jessica’s earlier work focused on sponge-associated microbial communities, using metagenomics and metatranscriptomics to examine their metabolic versatility and stress responses. Her research supports resource-efficient food production by leveraging microbial processes to increase protein and nutrient yields from microalgae, including the use of food industry by-products to reduce waste.
Dr Angelique Ray
Dr Angelique Ray is a Research Associate at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, Australia, where she specialises in astrobiology and environmental microbiology. Her research primarily focuses on understanding the survival mechanisms of microorganisms in extreme environments, such as the hyper-arid deserts of Antarctica, which serve as analogues for Martian conditions. Dr Ray’s groundbreaking work has significantly advanced the field of atmospheric chemosynthesis—a process by which certain microbes utilise trace atmospheric gases like hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane for energy and carbon fixation. This unique capability allows these organisms to thrive in nutrient-poor soils, such as those found in polar deserts.
Dr Ray has published extensively on microbial adaptations in Antarctic soils, examining how these microbes contribute to primary production and carbon fixation under harsh conditions. Her studies are shedding light on the resilience of microbial communities facing extreme climates and have broader implications for understanding microbial ecosystems across the globe. As a researcher dedicated to bridging knowledge gaps in high-latitude microbiomes, Dr Ray’s work is essential for developing conservation strategies in fragile ecosystems. Her commitment to science communication also drives her to engage with the public, inspiring interest in microbial ecology and astrobiology.
Dr Melinda Ashcroft
Melinda Ashcroft is a Research Fellow in Infectious Disease Epidemiology (Climate Change) at the University of Queensland, where she investigates how climate-related factors influence the emergence and spread of infectious diseases. Her current work focuses on Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) and the ways extreme weather events and climate change may be fuelling infections across different settings. Melinda’s background is rooted in microbial genomics and epidemiology. She has previously worked on the sero-epidemiology of Klebsiella species at Monash University, the genomic epidemiology of Neisseria gonorrhoeae at the University of Melbourne, and the molecular genetics of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli at UQ. Her PhD explored the evolution and function of mobile genetic elements and DNA methyltransferases in these E. coli strains.
With degrees in biotechnology, biochemistry, and microbial genomics, Melinda brings a multidisciplinary lens to understanding how pathogens adapt, spread, and interact with the environment. Her work sits at the intersection of microbial evolution, public health, and planetary change.
Known for her collaborative spirit and commitment to mentoring early career researchers, Melinda contributes to both scientific discovery and science education, helping shape a new generation of microbiologists who are ready to tackle pressing health challenges.
Professor Annie Tan
Dr. G. Y. Annie Tan is a Professor at the Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur. Her research focuses primarily on natural products from Actinobacteria and microbial systematics, specifically within the Actinomycetes and Actinobacteria groups. This area of study is critical for understanding and utilizing microbial biodiversity, particularly in developing new antibiotics and bioactive compounds from soil bacteria. Dr. Tan's expertise contributes significantly to advancing knowledge in microbial taxonomy and the potential applications of microbes in medicine and agriculture. Professor Tan is also committed to education and mentoring, guiding both young scientists and graduate students through their academic and professional journeys
Dr Paul Sainsbury
Paul Sainsbury is the Chief Operating Officer at Applied Microbiology International, where he leads on operations, marketing, communications and events. With a PhD in Chemistry and an MBA, he brings a rare combination of scientific understanding and strategic leadership to the conference and publishing world. Before joining AMI, Paul worked for over a decade in public relations and marketing across commercial, industrial and educational sectors, with a strong focus on innovation, diversity and meaningful engagement. He is particularly passionate about creating inclusive platforms that elevate early career researchers and connect microbiology with broader audiences.
Paul plays a key role in delivering AMI’s flagship events, including the Microbial Solutions for a Changing World Conference. He is a committed advocate for science that makes a difference—especially in addressing urgent global challenges like climate change, environmental resilience and public health.
Dr Michael Doane
Dr Michael Doane is a microbial ecologist at Flinders University, Australia, specialising in metagenomics, microbial community dynamics, and the ecology of marine and terrestrial systems. His research examines the role of microbial communities in ecosystem health, resilience, and nutrient cycling, with a focus on extreme and unique environments. Through his work, Dr Doane investigates how microbial diversity and metabolic functions contribute to biogeochemical processes, particularly in ecosystems impacted by human activities.
Dr Doane’s recent projects include studies on microbial community assembly in marine bacterioplankton, metagenomic profiling of gut and soil microbiomes, and microbiome interactions with marine species such as leopard and whale sharks. His work utilises advanced genomic and bioinformatics techniques to reveal the functional potential of microbiomes in shaping ecological processes and influencing host health.
In addition, Dr Doane’s research addresses conservation and environmental monitoring, with a view to applying genomics-based insights to biodiversity protection and ecosystem management. His contributions have been widely published in leading scientific journals, advancing understanding at the intersection of microbial ecology, conservation, and environmental science.
Professor Sukhwan Yoon
Dr Sukhwan Yoon is a distinguished Professor of Environmental Engineering at KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) in South Korea. He is renowned for his pioneering research in environmental microbiology, particularly focusing on microbial processes that help remove contaminants from water and soil. Dr Yoon’s expertise lies in harnessing microbial systems for bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and greenhouse gas mitigation, using advanced biotechnological approaches to develop sustainable solutions to pressing environmental challenges.
In his lab at KAIST, Dr Yoon explores the interactions between microbial communities and pollutants, with a strong emphasis on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying microbial degradation pathways. His research not only advances fundamental knowledge of microbial ecology but also has real-world applications in improving environmental management practices across diverse ecosystems. Dr Yoon collaborates widely with government bodies, industry partners, and international research institutions to drive impactful research that contributes to South Korea's environmental policies and sustainability goals.
Dr Amelia Turagabeci
Amelia Turagabeci is a public health scientist and Associate Professor at Fiji National University, where she currently serves as Acting Dean of the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. With a PhD in Medical Science from Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Amelia’s career bridges academic research, institutional leadership, and impactful collaboration across the Pacific region. Her work spans environmental health, infectious disease surveillance, climate resilience, and health equity, with a strong emphasis on practical solutions in vulnerable settings. She leads transdisciplinary projects including the Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) initiative and the Pacific Action for Climate Transition (PACT), both in partnership with Monash University. She also heads the AQEM project in Fiji, focused on water quality and ecosystem health.
Amelia’s research investigates the environmental drivers of disease, with recent work addressing dengue, Zika, and enteric pathogens in informal settlements. She collaborates widely with regional governments, universities, and global research networks to drive science that directly benefits Pacific communities.
Passionate about education and capacity-building, Amelia plays a key role in curriculum development and postgraduate supervision across the Pacific. Her leadership and grounded research make her a strong voice for sustainable, locally led responses to public health challenges.
Dr Carlo Carere
Dr Carlo Carere is a Senior Research Scientist at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) in New Zealand, where he specialises in environmental microbiology and water quality research. His work focuses on developing innovative microbial and molecular techniques to monitor and improve water safety, particularly in relation to contaminants and microbial pathogens. Dr Carere’s research plays a crucial role in ensuring the health and sustainability of New Zealand’s unique water ecosystems, from groundwater reserves to surface water systems.
A recognised leader in his field, Dr Carere has contributed to numerous studies that inform national water quality standards and policies. His expertise encompasses molecular microbiology, environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, and the study of microbial communities in response to environmental changes. Beyond his research, Dr Carere actively collaborates with government agencies, industry stakeholders, and Māori communities to develop culturally and ecologically sound approaches to water management. His commitment to safeguarding water resources positions him as an essential figure in New Zealand's environmental research landscape.
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