RIEL seminar series
The melioidosis agent Burkholderia pseudomallei in the environment of the Top End
| Presenter | Dr Mirjam Kaestli | |
|---|---|---|
| Date/Time |
to
|
|
| Contact person | E: riel.outreach@cdu.edu.au | |
| Location | CDU Casuarina Campus Yellow 1.1.39 and online | |
| Open to | Public | |
Melioidosis is a severe infectious disease affecting humans and animals in the tropical belt worldwide. It is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, which naturally occurs in soil and water in endemic regions. B. pseudomallei is an often-overlooked opportunistic pathogen which is estimated to account for more than 80,000 deaths a year globally, predominantly among poor agricultural workers in low to middle income countries. It is endemic in Northern Australia with an average of 52 cases and 4 deaths each year in the Top End. This talk will provide an overview of what we have learnt about its habitat in the environment of the Top End with a focus on water. We dug beyond the surface and also looked at its occurrence in groundwater and bore drills, and we will discuss the challenges water suppliers in Northern Australia face to manage its occurrence in the source of drinking water.
Dr Mirjam Kaestli is a microbial ecologist working in the Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology Unit (ECMU) at RIEL and the melioidosis research group at Menzies School of Health Research. Her current research focuses on source tracking of microbial signatures in water, the microbiota in drinking water and its interactions with engineered systems as well as the occurrence of opportunistic pathogens in drinking water. The latter is with a focus on the melioidosis agent Burkholderia pseudomallei. Mirjam has 17 years’ experience in exploring the habitat of B. pseudomallei in the environment of the Top End including in soil, water and plants.
Related Events
Razzle Dazzle Your Research!
Want to improve the way your research is seen, cited, and funded? Increase the visibility and discoverability of your research without adding to your workload?
In this 45 minute workshop, learn how small, strategic tweaks to keywords, research profile details and even Field of Research (FoR) —taking only minutes—that can significantly boost how your research is discovered and valued
You will walk away with a clearer understanding of how your research is picked up by and 'seen' and counted in various systems like Scival, search engines and more.
This isn’t about compliance—it’s about visibility, impact, and career advantage and how just a few minutes can make your research count in a much bigger way.
Read more about Razzle Dazzle Your Research!
The Dr Bilawara Lee OAM (Aunty B), Faculty of Health Public Lecture
Bernard Salt explores how the aging baby boomer generation and a post-pandemic shift toward wellness will drive unprecedented demand and consumer expectations within Australia’s healthcare sector and "care economy" through 2036.
Read more about The Dr Bilawara Lee OAM (Aunty B), Faculty of Health Public Lecture
Freedom of Political Communication and Social Cohesion
The 15th Austin Asche Oration features The Hon. Justice Marcus Solomon SC, who will examine how debates surrounding free speech, rising prejudice, and declining social cohesion are reshaping Australia's legal and political landscapes.
Read more about Freedom of Political Communication and Social Cohesion
