Climate Change Cluster Research Strength (C3)

Maéva Brunet is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Faculty of Science at the University of Technology Sydney and a member of the Climate Change Cluster (C3). Her research focuses on microbial ecology, with particular emphasis on phytoplankton-bacteria interactions at the microscale. Her work seeks to understand how microorganisms interact, respond, and adapt within complex aquatic environments, and how these interactions influence broader ecological and biogeochemical processes.

I'm the CEO of the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, a multi-university partnership between UTS, UNSW Sydney, Macquarie University and the University of Sydney.

I also the Head of the Productive Coasts research program within the Climate Change Cluster (C3) in the UTS Faculty of Science. My goal is to contribute to the science that will help address Australia grand challenges of food security, biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health, as well as climate variability and change. 

I have conducted research on algae and microbes for more than 20 years, attracting over $10 million in competitive grants from the Australian Research Council and other funding sources. I have worked with the Australian Government as a research contractor, and have also been engaged as independent consultant, translating scientific research into marine policy and working with aquatic industries to improve environmental outcomes.

I'm interested in the resilience of algal communities to deal with short and long-term environmental change - not only to cope with contemporary shifts in climate, but also to harness nature's innovations and put them to effective use in bio-industries.

Dr. Amaranta Focardi is a marine microbial ecologist with a keen interest in understanding how interactions between the smallest inhabitants of the ocean ultimately influence ocean health and productivity. Her research combines advanced low-input/high-throughput metagenomics, flow cytometry, and chemical analyses to characterise in situ which microorganisms are interacting and what they are exchanging.

Dr. Focardi holds a BSc in Biology and an MSc in Molecular Biology (summa cum laude) from the University of Florence (Italy) and earned her PhD in 2020 at Macquarie University (Australia). Her current research focuses on cyanobacteria-bacteria interactions, with particular emphasis on Synechococcus, one of the ocean’s most abundant photosynthetic organisms.

I am a researcher with a robust background in genetics, photosynthesis, molecular biology and biophysics. My research currently focuses on epigenetic control of phenotypes in single celled photoautothrophs. I also dedicate time for research on how temperature modulates biological responses in plants and microalgae, and how photosynthesis performs in thermally fluctuating scenarios.

At the University of Technology Sydney, I have pioneered the development laboratory automation for phenotyping microalgae. These efforts have resulted in three UTS patents and the creation of a patented microalgae species, tailored to produce future-oriented bio-products such as foods, biofuels, bioplastics, and dyes.

My academic contributions are substantial, with a significant number of peer-reviewed publications that reflect my ongoing commitment to advancing the field of biotechnological applications of microalgae. As a dedicated mentor, I have supervised a diverse group of students, including Honours, Masters, and PhD candidates, guiding them through their research projects and fostering their academic and professional growth.

Dr. Malik earned her Ph.D. in Biotechnology with a focus on microalgae and cyanobacteria for sustainable biorefineries, addressing critical challenges at the Energy–Water–Environment nexus. Her expertise spans upstream to downstream process optimization, multi-omics analysis, and the molecular mechanisms of self-flocculation—a phenomenon with applications in eco-friendly biomass harvesting and insights into the origin of multicellularity.

She has authored more than 35 peer-reviewed publications, including original research and reviews in leading international journals, and is the recipient of multiple national and international fellowships and scholarships. Dr. Malik is also an active member of the Young Scientists Division of the Asian Federation of Biotechnology.

Working at the intersection of algae biotechnology, carbon capture, and the circular bioeconomy, her research focuses on developing sustainable biorefinery pathways and optimizing wastewater-based algae systems. She integrates AI and robotics to identify and enhance elite algal strains for industrial and environmental applications. With over eight years of experience, she has advanced wastewater-driven multiproduct biorefineries through cascading extraction approaches, adaptive laboratory evolution, metabolic pathway engineering, and phenomics to unlock algae’s potential for carbon-neutral solutions.

At the University of Technology Sydney, Dr. Malik extends this work by mentoring startups through the Deep Green Biotech Hub, managing client and stakeholder projects, and overseeing research operations. She is also a graduate of the UTS Early and Emerging Leaders program, reflecting her commitment to leadership and innovation. In addition, she lectures and co-coordinates subjects for Honours and Master's programs and supervises interns, Honours, and HDR students, fostering the next generation of scientists.

Passionate about bridging cutting-edge science with real-world impact, Dr. Malik is dedicated to developing scalable and sustainable technologies that align with global climate and resource challenges, contributing to a greener and more resilient future.

I am a chemical ecologist and marine biochemist fascinated by how organisms communicate through chemistry. My research group investigates holobiont dynamics — the intimate partnerships between hosts and their microbial communities — and how these interactions shape resilience in both marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Using advanced metabolomics, lipidomics, and volatilomics, we work to decode the molecular “language” of life and translate these insights into tools for conservation and ecological restoration.

Much of our work focuses on coral reef systems. We’ve pioneered multi-omics approaches to understand coral health and nutrition, leading to new diagnostics and tailored interventions that enhance coral larval survival, growth, and reproduction. These tools are now being used by aquaculture and reef restoration practitioners, including through partnerships with Monsoon Aquatics, Infinite Water, GBR Biology, and Traditional Owner-led initiatives within the Reef Cooperative.

Currently, I am a Senior Lecturer and Deputy Leader (Acting Team Leader, 2025) of the Future Reefs Program in the Climate Change Cluster. Since 2018, I’ve secured more than $3.4 million in competitive research funding as Lead or Co-Lead across ARC, CORDAP, and international innovation grants.

Alongside research, I’m committed to equity in science and supporting the next generation of marine scientists. I mentor students and early-career researchers, advocate for women in STEM, and contribute to initiatives that foster inclusive, collaborative, and impactful science.

Key awards include:

• 2026 Eureka Prize for Outstanding Early Career Researcher (Finalist - outcome pending)
• NSW Australian of the Year Nominee (2025)
• NSW Premier’s Prize for Science and Engineering as Early Career Researcher of the Year (Biological Sciences) (2025)
• Royal Society of NSW Early Career Research and Service Award (2024)
• NSW Young Tall Poppy Science Award (2023)
• Superstars of STEM, Science & Technology Australia (2020)
• Netherlands Metabolomics Centre Award for Innovation (2019)
• Multiple UTS Dean and Vice-Chancellor commendations (2020–2025)

I am an Associate Professor at UTS, Deputy Director of the Climate Change Cluster (C3), and Chief Scientific Officer of Algenie, a UTS spinout commercialising next-generation algae cultivation technologies. My work focuses on translating algal research into commercially deployable solutions that accelerate sustainable manufacturing, food production, aquaculture and climate resilience.

Over the past five years, I have secured more than $5M in research funding across 30+ projects and developed research translation pathways spanning industry engagement, intellectual property, commercial validation and venture creation. My work has resulted in patented technologies, industry adoption, government investment and international commercial partnerships.

I am particularly interested in research commercialisation, university-industry collaboration, venture building, and developing technologies that support Australia's emerging bioeconomy.

Research Translation Highlights:

• Chief Scientific Officer, Algenie (UTS Spinout)
• Co-inventor of Algae-based food colouring agents (US20240268421A1)
• $5M+ supported research
• 30+ funded research projects, with a strong emphasis on industry, research translation and commercial impact
• $1.4M Industry Growth Program grant
• Commercial deployments in Australia and Europe
• Partnerships with v2food, CSIRO, DPIRD, Fermentalg, Cytiva and others

Leadership Roles

• Deputy Director, Climate Change Cluster (C3)
• Chief Scientific Officer, Algenie
• Product Visionary, Academic Progression Suite
• Chair/Moderator at major climate and biotechnology events
• Lead investigator of international partnerships including YellowGreen (CNRS) and Institut Mines-Télécom collaborations

Building the Next Generation:

• Currently supervising 8 HDR candidates
• Leadership of the annual C3 Early Career Researchers Forum
• Industry PhD programs
• Mentoring researchers, founders and commercialisation teams

Scientific publications:

Dr Nature Poddar is a leader in low-carbon innovation and the circular bioeconomy, advising early-stage startups on scaling algae-based carbon capture and bioprocessing solutions. With over a decade of experience, she brings deep expertise in microalgae systems, techno-economic analysis, life cycle assessment, and data-driven commercial strategy. She works closely with founders to shape growth strategy and market positioning, translating algae technologies into scalable, investable solutions. Her work integrates digital twins and AI models to optimise performance, reduce costs, and de-risk scale-up, while aligning technology pathways with market demand and capital strategy.

Core Expertise & Achievements:

• Microbial & Algal Process Optimization: Advanced metabolic engineering and fermentation system design to maximize yield and efficiency in industrial biotech applications.
• Digital Twin & AI-Driven Bioprocesses: Lead design and implementation of digital twin systems at UTS, leveraging AI models and DOE for optimizing algae cultivation, carbon capture, and microbial processes, aligned with Industry 4.0 principles.
• Algae-Based Rumen Nutrition: Designed and executed a 100-day animal trial assessing algae-based feeds for methane reduction and improved cattle health.
• Techno-Economic & Sustainability Modelling: Completed 20 TEA research contracts for clients including Young Henry, Meat & Livestock Australia, and Sydney Water. Skilled in life cycle assessment (LCA), discounted cash flow analysis, and cost-benefit evaluation.
• Entrepreneurship & Industry Leadership:
  • Lead Entrepreneur – AEA Ignite Grant  in the brewery and agriculture sector ($442K, 2025)
  • Partner Entrepreneur – AEA Ignite Grant in Low-Carbon Cement Manufacturing ($475K, 2026)
• Industry & Startup Mentorship: Consultant experience with early-stage startups such as Phycologic (NSW) and PHYX44 Labs (India) , helping scale solutions for the bioeconomy.
• Funding & Portfolio Leadership: Secured $2.7M+ in research funding across agriculture, livestock, and food industries. Oversaw multi-partner consortia delivering high-throughput screening, microbial process optimization, and industrial translation.
• Education & Skills Development: Coordinate the Environmental Biotechnology course at UTS, equipping undergraduates with industry-relevant skills and practical experience.

Jean-Baptiste Raina is a marine microbial ecologist working at the interface of microbiology, chemical ecology and biophysics, aiming to decipher some of the most important inter-species interactions that underpin the health and productivity of the oceans. Born in France, he completed his PhD in Townsville (Australia) in 2014. After a year of postdoctoral research at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), he secured several fellowships to pursue his own research: a Discovery Early Career Research Award (2015), a UTS Chancellor’s Research Fellowship (2015) and a Future Fellowship (2021). In 2019, Jean-Baptiste became deputy team leader of the Ocean Microbiology Group in the Climate Change Cluster at UTS, where he leads the “host-microbe interactions” research program. By combining micro-engineering, high-resolution imaging, low-input/high throughput genomics and chemical analyses of microbial communities in situ, he has pioneered the study of microbial behaviours directly in the marine environment, perfected and applied high-resolution chemical imaging techniques to study previously untraceable microbial interactions in complex systems, and developed novel analytical chemistry methods to quantify chemical cues produced by marine organisms, particularly in the context of coral-bacteria symbioses. His leadership in microbial ecology was recognised by the 2024 Alma Dal Co Award from the International Society for Microbial Ecology.

Dr. Chris Songsomboon is an experienced bioinformatician and trained plant breeder with over seven years of research leadership in academia and industry across Australia, Thailand, and the United States. Currently a Research Fellow in Environmental Data Analysis at the Climate Change Cluster (C3), University of Technology Sydney, Chris specialises in multi-omics bioinformatics, de-novo genome assembly, and environmental genomics. His career includes significant roles in plant breeding, genomic structural variation analysis, transcriptome, metabolome, methylome, and microbiome.

Dr Paige Strudwick is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Technology Sydney, working within the Future Reefs Research Group and the Coral Nurture Program (CNP) -  a long-standing science–industry partnership dedicated to optimising stewardship and restoration of coral reefs. Her doctoral research revealed how restoration practices influence coral-associated microbial communities, providing new insights into the mechanisms underpinning coral health and restoration success. Building on this foundation, her current research focuses on harnessing microbial communities to optimise coral propagation and out-planting techniques, improve restoration outcomes, and increase coral resilience under changing ocean conditions.

Through the Coral Nurture Program, Dr Strudwick works closely with tourism operators, Traditional Owners, reef managers, government agencies and conservation organisations to co-design and deliver research that directly informs restoration practice. She leads multidisciplinary field teams, research expeditions and capacity-building programs that bring together scientists, industry partners and local communities to advance evidence-based coral reef management. Through these collaborations, she supports the translation of research into practical management strategies that are scalable, impactful and deliver meaningful conservation outcomes.

Her research vision extends beyond tropical coral reefs to understand how corals persist in extreme environments, including mesophotic, high-latitude and naturally variable reef systems, to identify universal mechanisms of resilience that can inform future restoration and conservation. Through interdisciplinary research and collaborative partnerships, she is committed to protecting the ecological, cultural and economic values of coral reefs while ensuring that science delivers tangible benefits for the communities and industries that depend upon them.