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  • Head and shoulders of Professor Elizabeth Watkin

    Professor Elizabeth Watkin is the Associate Dean of Science and Mathematics at ECU

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Professor Elizabeth Watkin

Associate Dean

Staff Member Details
Telephone: +61 8 6304 2479
Email: e.watkin@ecu.edu.au
Campus: Joondalup  
Room: JO19.347  
ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4881-7234

Elizabeth is a Professor and the Associate Dean (Science and Maths) of the School of Science.

Background

Elizabeth Watkin has over 20 years of experience in the field of microbial ecology of environmental systems and covers the fields of mining biotechnology, mineral resource recovery and microbial fouling of water (particularly within mining systems). She has industry contacts with a number of mining companies and has a long-term collaboration with CSIRO-Land and Water and CSIRO-Mineral Resources.

Her research team investigates biotechnological processes for environmental and industrial applications and approaches to mitigate microbially caused problems such as biocorrosion, biofouling and bioclogging. Prior to 2005 her main area of research was symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria in both agricultural and native legume species. She maintains a minor research interest in this area.

  • 2021:           Professor in Microbiology and Deputy Dean (Pharmacy, Biomedical Sciences and Medical Radiation Science), Curtin Medical School, Curtin University
  • 2018-2020:  Professor in Microbiology and Deputy Head of School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Curtin University
  • 2016-2017:  Professor in Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Curtin University
  • 2002-2016:  Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor in Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Curtin University
  • 1999-2002:  Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Centre for Rhizobium Studies, Murdoch University
  • 1998-1999:  Postdoctoral Research Fellow, CSIOR-Plant Industry, Canberra

Professional Memberships

  • International Biohydrometallurgy Symposium International Scientific Committee
  • Fellow of the Australian Society for Microbiology

Research Areas and Interests

  • Mineral leaching; mineral resource recovery
  • Haloacidiphilic iron and sulfur oxidizing bacteria.
  • The application of phosphate solubilising bacteria in Rare Earth Element recovery.
  • Microbial ecology of environmental systems.
  • Mining biotechnology.
  • Microbial fouling of water (particularly within mining systems).
  • Root nodule bacteria of Australian indigenous legumes.

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Murdoch University, 1999.

Research Outputs

2024

Book Chapters

  • Khaleque, HN., Vergara, E., Holmes, D., Watkin, E. (2024). Acidihalobacter. Bergey’s Manual of Systematics of Archaea and Bacteria (). John Wiley & Sons, Inc., in association with Bergey’s Manual Trust. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118960608.gbm02071.

Journal Articles

  • Boase, K., Santini, T., Watkin, E. (2024). Microbes of biotechnological importance in acidic saline lakes in the Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia. Frontiers in Microbiology, 15(Article in press), 11 pages. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1308797.

2023

Journal Articles

  • Van Alin, A., Corbett, MK., Fathollahzadeh, H., Tjiam, MC., Rickard, WD., Sun, X., Putnis, A., Eksteen, J., Kaksonen, AH., Watkin, E. (2023). Biofilm Formation On The Surface Of Monazite And Xenotime During Bioleaching. Microbial Biotechnology, 2023(Article in Press), TBD. https://doi.org/10.1111/1751-7915.14260.
  • Corbett, MK., Watkin, E. (2023). Bioprospecting For And The Applications Of Halophilic Acidophiles In Bioleaching Operations. Microbiology Australia, 2023(article in press), TBD. https://doi.org/10.1071/MA23011.
  • Corbett, M., Gifford, A., Fimognari, N., Watkin, E. (2023). Analysis of element yield, bacterial community structure and the impact of carbon sources for bioleaching rare earth elements from high grade monazite. Research in Microbiology, 2023(Article in press), article number 104133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resmic.2023.104133.
  • Van Alin, A., Corbett, MK., Fathollahzadeh, H., Tjiam, MC., Putnis, A., Eksteen, J., Kaksonen, AH., Watkin, E. (2023). Klebsiella Aerogenes Adhesion Behaviour During Biofilm Formation On Monazite. Microorganisms, 11(5), article number 1331. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11051331.

2022

Book Chapters

  • Quatrini, R., Watkin, E., Johnson, DB. (2022). Biomolecular and Cultivation Tools. Biomining Technologies: Bioprocessing Options for Extracting and Recovering Metals from Ores and Wastes (111-131). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05382-5_6.

Journal Articles

  • Corbett, M., Anstiss, L., Gifford, A., Graham, R., Watkin, E. (2022). Examining the osmotic response of acidihalobacter aeolianus after exposure to salt stress. Microorganisms, 10(1), article number 22. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10010022.
  • Tuck, B., Leinecker, N., Watkin, E., Somers, A., Forsyth, M., Machuca, L. (2022). Efficiency of a Novel Multifunctional Corrosion Inhibitor Against Biofilms Developed on Carbon Steel. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 10(2022), article number 803559. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2022.803559.
  • Tuck, B., Watkin, E., Somers, A., Forsyth, M., Machuca, L. (2022). Conditioning of metal surfaces enhances Shewanella chilikensis adhesion. Biofouling: the journal of bioadhesion and biofilm research, 38(3), 207-222. https://doi.org/10.1080/08927014.2022.2039349.
  • Boase, K., González, C., Vergara, E., Neira, G., Holmes, D., Watkin, E. (2022). Prediction and Inferred Evolution of Acid Tolerance Genes in the Biotechnologically Important Acidihalobacter Genus. Frontiers in Microbiology, 13(2022), article number 848410. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.848410.
  • Tuck, B., Watkin, E., Somers, A., Forsyth, M., Machuca, L. (2022). Enhancing Biocide Efficacy: Targeting Extracellular DNA for Marine Biofilm Disruption. Microorganisms, 10(6), article number 1227. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10061227.
  • Tuck, B., Salgar-Chaparro, S., Watkin, E., Somers, A., Forsyth, M., Machuca, L. (2022). Extracellular DNA: A Critical Aspect of Marine Biofilms. Microorganisms, 10(7), article number 1285. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10071285.
  • Tuck, B., Watkin, E., Somers, A., Machuca, L. (2022). A critical review of marine biofilms on metallic materials. Npj Materials Degradation, 6(1), article number 25. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41529-022-00234-4.

2021

Journal Articles

  • Hartnell, D., Hollings, A., Ranieri, A., Lamichhane, H., Becker, T., Sylvain, N., Hou, H., Pushie, M., Watkin, E., Bambery, K., Tobin, M., Kelly, M., Massi, M., Vongsvivut, J., Hackett, M. (2021). Mapping sub-cellular protein aggregates and lipid inclusions using synchrotron ATR-FTIR microspectroscopy. Analyst, 146(11), 3516-3525. https://doi.org/10.1039/d1an00136a.
  • Silva-Bedoya, L., Watkin, E., Machuca, L. (2021). Deep-sea corrosion rusticles from iron-hulled shipwrecks. Materials and Corrosion, 72(7), 1138-1151. https://doi.org/10.1002/maco.202112289.
  • Maria Ranieri, A., Vezzelli, M., Leslie, K., Huang, S., Stagni, S., Jacquemin, D., Jiang, H., Hubbard, A., Rigamonti, L., Watkin, E., Ogden, M., New, E., Massi, M. (2021). Structure illumination microscopy imaging of lipid vesicles in live bacteria with naphthalimide-appended organometallic complexes. Analyst, 146(12), 3818-3822. https://doi.org/10.1039/d1an00363a.
  • Tuck, B., Watkin, E., Forsyth, M., Somers, A., Ghorbani, M., Machuca, L. (2021). Evaluation of a novel, multi-functional inhibitor compound for prevention of biofilm formation on carbon steel in marine environments. Scientific Reports, 11(1), article number 15697. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-94827-9.
  • Davison, E., Giustiniano, D., Bougher, N., McGurk, L., Watkin, E. (2021). Additions to Amanita (Amanitaceae, Agaricales) section Arenariae from south-western Australia. Australian Systematic Botany, 34(6), 541-569. https://doi.org/10.1071/SB21017.

2020

Journal Articles

  • Khaleque, H., Fathollazadeh, H., González, C., Shafique, R., Kaksonen, A., Holmes, D., Watkin, E. (2020). Unlocking survival mechanisms for metal and oxidative stress in the extremely acidophilic, halotolerant acidihalobacter genus. Genes, 11(12), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11121392.
  • Khaleque, H., González, C., Johnson, D., Kaksonen, A., Holmes, D., Watkin, E. (2020). Genome-based classification of acidihalobacter prosperus f5 (=dsm 105917=jcm 32255) as acidihalobacter yilgarnensis sp. nov.. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, 70(12), 6226-6234. https://doi.org/10.1099/ijsem.0.004519.

2019

Journal Articles

  • Ranieri, A., Caporale, C., Fiorini, V., Hubbard, A., Rigby, P., Stagni, S., Watkin, E., Ogden, M., Hackett, M., Massi, M. (2019). Complementary Approaches to Imaging Subcellular Lipid Architectures in Live Bacteria Using Phosphorescent Iridium Complexes and Raman Spectroscopy. Chemistry - A European Journal, 25(45), 10566-10570. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201902023.
  • Khaleque, H., González, C., Kaksonen, A., Boxall, N., Holmes, D., Watkin, E. (2019). Genome-based classification of two halotolerant extreme acidophiles, acidihalobacter prosperus V6 (=DSM 14174 =JCM 32253) and’acidihalobacter ferrooxidans’ V8 (=DSM 14175 =JCM 32254) as two new species, acidihalobacter aeolianus sp. nov. and acidihalobacter ferrooxydans sp. nov., respectively. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, 69(6), 1557-1565. https://doi.org/10.1099/ijsem.0.003313.
  • Fathollahzadeh, H., Khaleque, H., Eksteen, J., Kaksonen, A., Watkin, E. (2019). Effect of glycine on bioleaching of rare earth elements from Western Australian monazite by heterotrophic and autotrophic microorganisms. Hydrometallurgy, 189(2019), article number 105137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hydromet.2019.105137.
  • Khaleque, H., González, C., Shafique, R., Kaksonen, A., Holmes, D., Watkin, E. (2019). Uncovering the mechanisms of halotolerance in the extremely acidophilic members of the acidihalobacter genus through comparative genome analysis. Frontiers in Microbiology, 10(FEB), article number 155. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.00155.
  • Fathollahzadeh, H., Eksteen, J., Kaksonen, A., Watkin, E. (2019). Role of microorganisms in bioleaching of rare earth elements from primary and secondary resources. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 103(3), 1043-1057. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-018-9526-z.

2018

Journal Articles

  • Dhami, N., Mukherjee, A., Watkin, E. (2018). Microbial diversity and mineralogical-mechanical properties of calcitic cave speleothems in natural and in vitro biomineralization conditions. Frontiers in Microbiology, 9(FEB), article number 40. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2018.00040.
  • Khaleque, H., Kaksonen, A., Boxall, N., Watkin, E. (2018). Chloride ion tolerance and pyrite bioleaching capabilities of pure and mixed halotolerant, acidophilic iron- and sulfur-oxidizing cultures. Minerals Engineering, 120(2018), 87-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2018.02.025.
  • Glady-Croue, J., Niu, X., Ramsay, J., Watkin, E., Murphy, R., Croue, J. (2018). Survival of antibiotic resistant bacteria following artificial solar radiation of secondary wastewater effluent. Science of the Total Environment, 626(2018), 1005-1011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.101.
  • Permala, R., Glady-Croue, J., Watkin, E., Ramsay, J., Croue, J. (2018). Complete genome sequence of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia AB550, an environmental solar radiation- and multidrug-resistant strain isolated in Western Australia. Microbiology Resource Announcements, 7(5), article number e00914-18. https://doi.org/10.1128/MRA.00914-18.
  • Fathollahzadeh, H., Hackett, M., Khaleque, H., Eksteen, J., Kaksonen, A., Watkin, E. (2018). Better together: Potential of co-culture microorganisms to enhance bioleaching of rare earth elements from monazite. Bioresource Technology Reports, 3(2018), 109-118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biteb.2018.07.003.
  • Khaleque, H., Shafique, R., Kaksonen, A., Boxall, N., Watkin, E. (2018). Quantitative proteomics using SWATH-MS identifies mechanisms of chloride tolerance in the halophilic acidophile Acidihalobacter prosperus DSM 14174. Research in Microbiology, 169(10), 638-648. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resmic.2018.07.002.
  • Corbett, M., Eksteen, J., Niu, X., Watkin, E. (2018). Syntrophic effect of indigenous and inoculated microorganisms in the leaching of rare earth elements from Western Australian monazite. Research in Microbiology, 169(10), 558-568. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resmic.2018.05.007.
  • Fathollahzadeh, H., Becker, T., Eksteen, J., Kaksonen, A., Watkin, E. (2018). Microbial contact enhances bioleaching of rare earth elements. Bioresource Technology Reports, 3(2018), 102-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biteb.2018.07.004.
  • Corbett, M., Watkin, E. (2018). Microbial cooperation improves bioleaching recovery rates. Microbiology Australia, 39(1), 50-52. https://doi.org/10.1071/MA18013.

2017

Journal Articles

  • Dopson, M., Holmes, D., Lazcano, M., McCredden, T., Bryan, C., Mulroney, K., Steuart, R., Jackaman, C., Watkin, E. (2017). Multiple osmotic stress responses in acidihalobacter prosperus result in tolerance to chloride ions. Frontiers in Microbiology, 7(JAN), article number 2132. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2016.02132.
  • Khaleque, H., Corbett, M., Ramsay, J., Kaksonen, A., Boxall, N., Watkin, E. (2017). Complete genome sequence of Acidihalobacter prosperus strain F5, an extremely acidophilic, iron- and sulfur-oxidizing halophile with potential industrial applicability in saline water bioleaching of chalcopyrite. Journal of Biotechnology, 262(2017), 56-59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiotec.2017.10.001.
  • Dhami, N., Alsubhi, W., Watkin, E., Mukherjee, A. (2017). Bacterial community dynamics and biocement formation during stimulation and augmentation: Implications for soil consolidation. Frontiers in Microbiology, 8(JUL), article number 1267. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.01267.
  • Khaleque, H., Ramsay, J., Murphy, R., Kaksonen, A., Boxall, N., Watkin, E. (2017). Draft genome sequence of the acidophilic, halotolerant, and iron/sulfur-oxidizing Acidihalobacter prosperus DSM 14174 (strain V6). Microbiology Resource Announcements, 5(3), article number e01469-16. https://doi.org/10.1128/genomeA.01469-16.
  • Khaleque, H., Ramsay, J., Murphy, R., Kaksonen, A., Boxall, N., Watkin, E. (2017). Draft genome sequence of Acidihalobacter ferrooxidans DSM 14175 (strain V8), a new ironand sulfur-oxidizing, halotolerant, acidophilic species. Microbiology Resource Announcements, 5(21), article number e00413-17. https://doi.org/10.1128/genomeA.00413-17.
  • Corbett, M., Eksteen, J., Niu, X., Croue, J., Watkin, E. (2017). Interactions of phosphate solubilising microorganisms with natural rare-earth phosphate minerals: a study utilizing Western Australian monazite. Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering, 40(6), 929-942. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-017-1757-3.
  • Davison, E., Giustiniano, D., McGurk, L., Watkin, E., Bougher, N. (2017). Neotypification and redescription of Amanita preissii (Basidiomycota), and reconsideration of the status of A. Griseibrunnea. Nuytsia, 28(2017), 193-204. https://doi.org/10.58828/nuy00806.

Conference Publications

  • Corbett, M., Eksteen, J., Niu, X., Watkin, E. (2017). Incorporation of Indigenous Microorganisms Increases Leaching Rates of Rare Earth Elements from Western Australian Monazite. Solid State Phenomena (294-298). Trans Tech Publications Ltd. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/SSP.262.294.

2016

Book Chapters

  • Zammit, C., Watkin, E. (2016). Adaptation to Extreme Acidity and Osmotic Stress. Acidophile: Life in Extremely Acidic Environments (49-62). Caister Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.21775/9781910190333.03.

Journal Articles

  • McGurk, L., Giustiniano, D., Davison, E., Watkin, E. (2016). Amanita wadulawitu (Basidiomycota), a new species from Western Australia, and an expanded description of A. Kalamundae. Nuytsia, 27(2016), 21-30. https://doi.org/10.58828/nuy00757.
  • Christel, S., Fridlund, J., Buetti-Dinh, A., Buck, M., Watkin, E., Dopson, M. (2016). RNA transcript sequencing reveals inorganic sulfur compound oxidation pathways in the acidophile Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 363(7), article number fnw057. https://doi.org/10.1093/femsle/fnw057.
  • Christel, S., Fridlund, J., Watkin, E., Dopson, M. (2016). Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans SS3 presents little RNA transcript response related to cold stress during growth at 8 °C suggesting it is a eurypsychrophile. Extremophiles, 20(6), 903-913. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00792-016-0882-2.
  • Watling, H., Collinson, D., Corbett, M., Shiers, D., Kaksonen, A., Watkin, E. (2016). Saline-water bioleaching of chalcopyrite with thermophilic, iron(II)- and sulfur-oxidizing microorganisms. Research in Microbiology, 167(7), 546-554. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resmic.2016.05.003.

Research Projects

  • Green H2 production from ammonia recovery in wastewater, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), CSIRO - Scholarship, 2024 ‑ 2027, $158,200.
  • Sponsorship Agreement for Research Fellow in Analytical Chemistry/Proteomics, Chemistry Centre WA T/A ChemCentre, Research Fellowship Grant, 2023 ‑ 2026, $473,619.
  • Identifying the ecological roles, values and functions of intertidal benthic communities and habitat, Western Australian Marine Science Institution, Grant, 2023 ‑ 2025, $1,046,000.
  • Saline Water Biomining of Low-Grade Minerals and Mine Wastes, Unearthed Solutions Pty Ltd, Challenge, 2024 ‑ 2025, $80,000.
  • SALINE WATER BIOMINING OF CRITICAL MINERALS, Unearthed Solutions Pty Ltd, Challenge, 2024, $100,000.
  • Bio-recovery of rare earth elements from Australian soils and mine tailings, Australian Research Council, Grant - Discovery Projects, 2022 ‑ 2024, $167,143.

Research Student Supervision

Current Supervisions

Associate Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Microbial diversity and ecological functions of cyanobacterial mats in intertidal coastal ecosystems, and environmental drivers influencing their photosynthesis

Completed Supervisions

Principal Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The effect of chloride on bioleaching microorganisms: implications for biomining
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Investigating the effects of continuous electrochlorination on bacteria, bacteriophage and DNA.
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Modelling the composition and structure of Campylobacter jejuni biofilms
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Delineation of Selected Western Australian Amanita Mycoflora by Macroscopic, Microscopic and DNA Sequence Analysis
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Biomining of Rare Earth Elements from Phosphate Ores and Minerals
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Molecular analysis of genes encoding resistance to Cationic Biocides in staphylococci
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Characterisation of novel Burkholderia isolates associated with the Leguminosae
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Leptospirillium: a study of the nitrogen fixing capabilities
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Investigations into the therapeutic potential of antimicrobial peptides: applications for treating topical Staphylococcus aureus infections
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Acidihalobacter: Novel Halotolerant Iron- and Sulfur-oxidizing Acidophiles with Potential for Saline Water Bioleaching

Co-principal Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Plant mechanisms contributing to acid impairment of nodulation of Medicago murex and Medicago sativa by Sinorhizobium medicae
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Antimicrobial Novel Plant Protein Edible Films for Packaging Chilled Beef
  • Masters by Research, Investigation of the impact of nitrate injection to control sourcing problem in oil reservoir : benefit and side effects on steel materials
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion of Common Alloys Used For Subsea Applications
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Millettia pinnata (L.) Panigrahi a biodiesel tree, characterisation of traits for production on marginal land
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Investigating Multispecies Biofilms on Steel Surfaces in Seawater and Biofilm Inhibition by a Novel, Multifunctional Inhibitor
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Investigation of the symbiotic associations of Acacia ligulata and Acacia tetragonophylla: the potential for use in the rehabilitation of excavated sites at Shark Bay Salt Pty Ltd
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Luminescent Metal-Based Markers for Bacterial Imaging
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