Melinda is a Postdoctoral Research Officer and Computational Microbiologist with a special interest in antimicrobial resistance, mobile genetic elements and the evolution of clinically relevant human pathogens. Melinda has skills in genomics, bioinformatics, evolutionary biology and population genetics and works both in basic research and in translating research into clinical use.
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Key Achievements
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Melinda completed a Masters of Biotechnology (commendation for academic excellence) in 2013 and was awarded her PhD from the University of Queensland in early 2019 investigating the roles of mobile genetic elements, antimicrobial resistance and DNA methylation in the evolution of Escherichia coli lineages. Melinda has presented at numerous local and national conferences, receiving the Australian Society of Microbiology Student Travel Award (2017) and the Bacterial Pathogenesis (BacPath) Conference Best Student Poster Presentation Award (2017). In late 2019 Melinda moved to the Williamson Group, working on Neisseria spp. and investigating transmission, population genetics, evolution and antimicrobial resistance.
Publications
Research Groups
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Williamson group
The Williamson research group focuses on the development and evaluation of new diagnostic tests, and the translation of genomic technologies to infectious diseases. Their research has directly influenced the way microbiology is applied to clinical practice and public health, including responses to antimicrobial resistance, sexually-transmitted pathogens and COVID-19.
Lab Team
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NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow
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Postdoctoral Research Officer (Bioinformatics)
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Dr Marilyn Ninan
Research Fellow
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Dr Eike Steinig
Research Fellow (Bioinformatics)
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Dr Soo Jen Low
Research Officer (Bioinformatics)
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George Taiaroa
Research Fellow
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Jacqueline Prestedge
Research Program Officer
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Socheata Chea
Research Support Officer
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Bowen Zhang
Research Support Officer
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Cheryll Sia
PhD Graduate Researcher
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Dr Eloise Williams
PhD Graduate Researcher
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Dr Katherine Bond
PhD Graduate Researcher
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Dr Charlotte Bell
PhD Graduate Researcher
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Franca Azzato
PhD Graduate Researcher
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Sophie Herman
Research Assistant
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Mona Lisa Taouk
Research Assistant