People

Dr. John W. Moreau

Principle investigator

Reader, School of Geographical & Earth Sci., University of Glasgow (2019- ), UK

Assoc. Prof., School of Earth Sciences, The University of Melbourne (2018-19), AUS

Sr. Lecturer, School of Earth Sciences, The University of Melbourne (2014-18), AUS

Lecturer, School of Earth Sciences, The University of Melbourne (2008-13), AUS

NRC Postdoctoral Fellow, U.S. Geological Survey (2006-08), WI, USA

Ph.D Earth and Planetary Science (2001-06), University of California-Berkeley

M.S. Geology (1999-2001), Arizona State University

B.A. English/B.A. Political Science, Hons. (1989-1994), Arizona State University

John is interested in applying molecular, analytical and bioinformatic approaches to investigating how microbes influence the form and fate of metals in various environments: past and present, natural and anthropogenic, ambient and extreme. More recently, his research has focused on understanding the co-evolution of microbial genes encoding for cellular interactions with metal(loid)s, such as arsenic and mercury, with Earth’s biogeochemical cycles.

Email: john.moreau@glasgow.ac.uk

Current lab members

Robert (Angus) Keillar

Ph.D Candidate at Melbourne University; supervisor: Dr. J. Moreau, co-supervisor: Dr. J. Black (Melbourne)

M.Sci (2014), University of Melbourne

B.Sci (2012), University of Melbourne

Angus uses experimental (cultivation-based), metagenomic and modelling (PHREEQC, COBRA) approaches to investigating microbial responses to supercritical CO2 injection in the deep subsurface. His work supports efforts to understand the potential consequences of “geo-sequestering” CO2 in efforts to mitigate climate warming.

Email: rkeillar@student.unimelb.edu.au

Heyu Lin

Ph.D Candidate at Melbourne University; supervisor: Dr. J. Moreau, co-supervisors: Prof. Jizheng He (Melbourne), Prof. Kathryn Holt (Monash)

M.Sci, Ocean University of China (2017)

B.Sci, Dalian Ocean University (2014)

Heyu applies metagenomics and bioinformatics to understanding the diversity and activity of mercury (Hg)-methylating bacteria in the world’s oceans. His work expands our understanding of an important microbially-mediated Hg transformation in the global biogeochemical mercury cycle.

Email: heyu.lin@student.unimelb.edu.au

Former lab members

Dr. Marcos Voutsinos (Ph.D, 2015-2022), The University of Melbourne; currently postdoctoral researcher at Melbourne Uni.

Dr. Farhad Shafiei (Ph.D, 2018-2022), The University of Melbourne; currently seeking postdoctoral position

Dr. Mathew Watts, Research Fellow (2014-2018); currently Scientist at the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (Melbourne, Australia)

Dr. Hong Phuc Vu, McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellow (2011-2014); currently Consultant at Golder Associates (Melbourne, Australia)

Dr. Susan Cumberland, CSIRO Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2012-2015); currently Research Fellow at Strathclyde University (Glasgow, UK)

Dr. Toni Cox (Ph.D, 2017), The University of Melbourne; currently Science Team Leader at Stile Education (Melbourne, Australia)

Dr. Caitlin Gionfriddo (Ph.D, 2016), The University of Melbourne; currently Research Associate at Latrobe University (Wodonga, Australia)

Dr. Yu-Chen Ling (Ph.D, 2016), The University of Melbourne; currently Research Fellow at GEOMAR (Kiel, Germany)

Dr. Katrin Hug (Ph.D, 2015), The University of Melbourne; currently Research Fellow at the Humboldt Institute (Munich, Germany)

Dr. Andre Mu (Ph.D, 2015), The University of Melbourne; currently Research Fellow at Sanger Institute (Cambridge, UK)

Mr. Liam Spurr (M.Sci, 2016), The University of Melbourne; currently Environmental Consultant at Jacobs (Darwin, Australia)

Ms. Angelina Bosnjak (M.Phil, 2015), The University of Melbourne; currently Environmental Scientist at ERM (Melbourne, Australia)

Mr. Dilip Prankumar (M.Sci, 2017), The University of Melbourne; currently a Hydrogeologist with Rio Tinto Corp (Perth, Australia)

Ms. Olivia Campbell (M.Sci, 2016), The University of Melbourne

Dr. Emily Hepburn (M.Sci, 2011), The University of Melbourne; currently Hydrogeologist at AECOM (Melbourne, Australia)

Ms. Rebecca White (M.Sci, 2017), The University of Melbourne

Mr. Lon Garrick (M.Sci, 2013), The University of Melbourne; currently Sr. Resources Geologist at MMG Ltd. (Melbourne, Australia)

Mr. Andrew Minard (M.Sci, 2011), The University of Melbourne; currently Hydrogeologist at Golder Assoc. (Melbourne, Australia)

Ms. Gretchen Sites (M.Sci, 2010), The University of Melbourne; currently Hydrogeologist at Cardno-Lane-Piper (Melbourne, Australia)

Ms. Jemelyn Baldisimo (M.Env., 2010), The University of Melbourne; currently PhD candidate at Old Dominion University (Virginia, USA)

Ms. Annie Durrant (B.Sci, Hons., 2010), The University of Melbourne; currently Sr. Environmental Scientist at GHD (Melbourne, AUS)