ProfShauna Murray

I am a marine biologist researching ecology and evolution, using molecular genetic techniques. Marine biotoxins produced by phytoplankton, single-celled marine protists, are amongst the most toxic substances yet recorded. They can have severe detrimental impacts on a diverse range of marine species and ecosystems. In particular, poor water quality from harmful algae and pathogenic bacteria impact fisheries and aquaculture industries, both in Australia and worldwide. Phytoplankton are increasingly impacted by climate change, and their toxins are changing their distribution as a result. Many important harmful algal species are little known, and we frequently discover species new to science, and investigate their phylogenetics and evolution.

I lead the Seafood Safety: Marine Algal Biotoxins research program. In our program, we are developing novel genetic tools for the monitoring of marine water quality, and implementing them across important aquaculture and fishing industries. We work closely with industries and government such as shellfish aquaculture, fisheries, food safety regulators, and the environmental biotechnology sector.

Awards:
2023: Finalist, UTS Vice Chancellor’s Award for Research Impact
2022: Hanse Wissenschafts Kolleg Fellow, Bremen Germany
2019: NSW Research Impact Showcase event and publication, Parliament House. https://inspiringnsw.org.au/2019/09/27/research-impact-2/
2019: ARC Engagement and Impact Assessment Case Study for UTS Category 07, Agricultural and Veterinary Science, rated ‘high impact’
2016: Dr Penny Ajani and A/Prof Shauna Murray, Innovation Award, Annual NSW Coastal Management Awards.
2016: Most highly cited research in the journal, Harmful Algae, JIF=4.0; JR=3/112 Marine and Freshwater Biology
2016: UTS Vice Chancellor’s Award for Research Excellence through Collaboration
2015: Prescott Prize, Phycological Society of America, for the book, Marine Benthic Dinoflagellates
2012: ARC Future Fellowship

Journal Editor:
Editor in Chief, Frontiers in Protistology (launching 2024)
Editorial Board, Harmful Algae (IF=4.0)
Editorial Board, Climate Change Ecology
Editorial Board, European Journal of Protistology (IF=2.4)