The Biofilm SIG was originally set up by Prof Iain Gosbell (Liverpool Hospital), A/Prof Jim Manos (USYD), and others with biofilm interests in 2016-17. It has since been revitalised and reintroduced in March 2022 under the guidance of its Convenor, Dr Heema Vyas (USYD). Its renewed vision is that of creating an active community of researchers and industry partners representing the full breadth of biofilm research (medical, agricultural, marine etc). Overall, the Biofilm SIG aims to capture the diversity and breadth of biofilm research/happenings to:
- Bring together researchers/industry partners to share research and ideas on biofilms.
- Foster interest and collegiate interactions among our community representing differing disciplines and organisations.
- Promote the advancement of knowledge about biofilms.
If you would like to join the ASM NSW/ACT Biofilm SIG, please contact the Biofilm SIG Convenor Dr Heema Vyas.
Follow us on Twitter: @Biofilm_SIG
Biofilm SIG Executive Committee
Convenor
Dr Heema Vyas is a Post-Doctoral Research Associate with Dr Anne Mai-Prochnow at the University of Sydney. Heema is researching the effect of cold atmospheric plasma on bacterial biofilms. Prior to her Post-Doc, Heema completed her PhD in May (2021) at the University of Wollongong, where her PhD project focused on understanding Group A Streptococcus biofilm formation in the context of recurrent GAS pharyngitis. Heema has a passion for leadership and bringing together people interested in microbiology, antimicrobial resistance, and biofilms. This has seen her form the ASM NSW/ACT Branch Biofilm SIG, as well as her serving on both the ASM NSW/ACT Branch Exec Committee and the Joint Academic Microbial Seminars Exec Committee. In addition to championing her research interests, Heema advocates for mental health and wellbeing in academia. Moreover, as a queer woman of colour in STEMM, Heema is passionate about ensuring parity for all in STEMM.
Follow Heema on Twitter: @HKNVee
Secretary
Evan Gibbs is currently a PhD candidate in the Bacterial Regulation and Transport Laboratory (BRaT Lab) at the University of Newcastle (UoN) under Dr Karl Hassan. His PhD candidature focuses on antimicrobial resistance and alternative sources to fossil fuel-based products. He also collaborates with a team of innovative PhD candidates and postdocs on autonomously forming, polymicrobial synthetic scaffolds. Together with two other PhD candidates he advises the inaugural iGEM Team and Australasian SynBio Team, The DeNovocastrians. He also led a prize-winning team in the UoN Ideas Spark Competition that aims to use 3D printed devices incorporating synthetic microbial communities to knockdown mosquito populations in a target area. Evan serves on committees for the Australian Society of Microbiology- (NSW/ACT Branch) and the Joint Academic Microbial Seminars. He is the Postgraduate Representative for Research on the UoN Academic Senate, Research Committee, IBC and Student Representative Council and the HDR Student Voice Committee.
Follow Evan on Twitter: @EvoGibbs
Scientific Officer
Dr Ani (Anahit) Penesyan is a Research Fellow at Macquarie University (MQ). In 2011 Ani started a new research area for MQ, on microbial biofilms, which she currently leads. Ani uses state-of-the-art multi-omics tools to unravel microbial interactions, microbial evolution and adaptation in biofilm communities, as well as to uncover mechanisms of antimicrobial resilience in biofilms. The overarching aim of Ani’s work is to understand the complex biofilm biology and develop novel strategies to construct and utilise beneficial biofilms, as well as to control unwanted biofilm formation. Ani currently leads biofilm research at the ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology.
Follow Ani on Twitter: @anibio
Upcoming Events
To be announced.
Speaker Series
The speaker series is a staple part of the yearly Biofilm SIG event schedule occurring once every three months. It is an opportunity for researchers of NSW and ACT to share their exciting and cutting-edge research that represents the full breadth and variety of biofilm research areas (medical/health, marine, synthetic, ecological, food etc). The 1.5 h evening event features two invited speakers and concludes with networking over pizza and beverages. The speaker series is designed to share knowledge and spark discussion on biofilms amongst the community, facilitate opportunities for collaboration, and building of new networks between researchers, industry and interested companies.
Next Event
To be announced.