A/Prof Barbara Drigo is a Microbial Ecologist at the University of South Australia (UniSA), as well as a member of the editorial boards for several esteemed academic journals. Her passion for applied research is evident in her commitment to advancing microbiological practices, resulting in significant global contributions. A/Prof Drigo leads the molecular microbial components of various projects with a combined funding of $17M and was recently recognized as a 2023 Women in Innovation SA finalist in the science category. Dedicated to addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on a global scale, she has collaborated with the World Health Organization, the World Organisation for Animal Health, and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the... Read more
About me
A/Prof Barbara Drigo is a Microbial Ecologist at the University of South Australia (UniSA), as well as a member of the editorial boards for several esteemed academic journals. Her passion for applied research is evident in her commitment to advancing microbiological practices, resulting in significant global contributions. A/Prof Drigo leads the molecular microbial components of various projects with a combined funding of $17M and was recently recognized as a 2023 Women in Innovation SA finalist in the science category. Dedicated to addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on a global scale, she has collaborated with the World Health Organization, the World Organisation for Animal Health, and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations to enhance laboratory capacities in low- and middle-income countries. A/Prof Drigo holds several notable positions, including Chair of the Joint Academic Microbiology Seminar (Adelaide branch), Chair of 500 Women Scientists Australia and New Zealand, and, Senior Researcher and Ambassador for eXXpedition. Since 2023, A/Prof Drigo has collaborated with colleagues from the Future Industries Institute (FII), STEM, the College of Health Sciences, and experts from the University of Adelaide to shape a cohesive educational vision for Adelaide University. Their initiatives aim to:
1. Address critical epidemiological challenges.
2. Co-design a comprehensive research strategy for Food, Agriculture, and Wine in South Australia.
3. Develop a multidisciplinary microbial ecology course encompassing environmental science, geospatial studies, food science, and soil science.
Career Highlights: A/Prof Drigo completed her Master’s at Wageningen University & Research Centre (2002-2004) and earned her PhD from Leiden University in 2009, following doctoral studies at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology. She was a visiting PhD Student at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Oxford University (2004-2008). She began her career as a project manager at Plant Research International before relocating to Australia for a fellowship at Western Sydney University, where she established molecular microbial facilities. From 2010 to 2011, she helped create the world-class molecular microbial ecology facility at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE), launched in 2012. During her tenure at HIE, A/Prof Drigo led projects focused on climate change and microbial interactions, co-supervising three Master’s and three PhD students. A/Prof Drigo has held visiting research fellowships at the James Hutton Institute in the UK and the Chinese Academy of Sciences and has trained scientists globally in stable isotope probing techniques and multivariate statistical analysis. In 2016, she joined UniSA’s FII as a Research Fellow and Senior Lecturer, where she led research on food, soil, and water safety and security related to antimicrobial resistance, contributing to a total funding of $17 million. In 2016 and 2017, A/Prof Barbara Drigo's collaborative research on the impact of human activities on ecosystem functioning garnered attention from prominent organizations, including the White House Office of Science and Technology (during the Obama administration), the Royal Geographical Society, and the Theo Murphy Australian Frontiers of Science Symposium, as well as various media outlets. In 2017, she was a visiting research fellow at the Faculty of Biotechnology at the Catholic University of Portugal. A/Prof Drigo has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and invited reviews with leading global experts in plant-soil-microbial interactions, microbial ecology, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Many of these publications rank among the top ten most cited in their respective fields. Throughout her career, A/Prof Drigo and her PhD students and postdoctoral researchers have presented at 30 national and 39 international conferences. She has delivered several keynote speeches, chaired sessions, and participated as an invited panelist in workshops organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the World Health Organization, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. In 2020, A/Prof Drigo became the primary lecturer and tutor for the UniSA Microbial Ecology course; in 2021, she took on the role of its primary coordinator. In January 2023, she was awarded a competitive tenure position, becoming an Associate Professor at UniSA STEM in 2024.
About me
Selected committees, awards and working groups (for full list, refer to ORCID)
Since 2023, I have worked with colleagues from FII, STEM, and CHS, along with experts from the University of Adelaide, to shape the Adelaide university's future vision. Together, we aim to create a cohesive educational approach to:
1. Address critical epidemiological challenges.
2. Co-design a comprehensive research strategy for Food, Agriculture, and Wine in South Australia.
3. Develop a microbial ecology course to be offered at Adelaide University across multiple disciplines, including environmental science, geospatial studies, food science, and soil science.
Selected editorial and review activities (for full list, refer to ORCID)
About me
Date | Title |
---|---|
04/06/2024 |
Environmental Dimensions of AMR Conference 2026, https://www.crcsaafe.com.au/media-hub/events/environmental-dimensions-of-amr-conference |
01/06/2024 |
CRC SAAFE Dr Barbara Drigo, https://www.crcsaafe.com.au/about-saafe/our-team/dr-barbara-drigo |
16/05/2024 |
eating-faeces-helps-migratory-birds, https://www.birdguides.com/articles/ornithology/eating-faeces-helps-migratory-birds/ |
16/03/2024 |
The secret to migratory birds' survival: Eating feces, https://www.jpost.com/science/article-792190 |
13/03/2024 |
why-birds-enjoy-eating-feces-and-what-it-means-for-their-health, https://www.earth.com/news/why-birds-enjoy-eating-feces-and-what-it-means-for-their-health/ |
13/03/2024 |
who-knew-that-eating-poo-was-so-vital-for-birds-survival, https://www.unisa.edu.au/media-centre/Releases/2024/who-knew-that-eating-poo-was-so-vital-for-birds-survival/ |
15/05/2022 |
UNISA News, https://www.unisa.edu.au/unisanews/2022/december/story10/ |
15/12/2020 |
natural-resources-and-environmental-resilience, https://www.unisa.edu.au/research/sustainable-infrastructure-and-resource-management/our-research/natural-resources-and-environmental-resilience/walking-on-water-turning-drinking-water-treatment-sludge-into-eco-friendly-concrete/ |
About me
Doctor of Philosophy Universiteit Leiden
Areas of Expertise: Microbial ecology, antimicrobial resistance, wastewater-based epidemiology, plant-soil-microbial interactions, climate change.
Courses: Primary Coordinator, lecturer, and tutor for the Microbial Ecology course (ENVT 2015/169532).
Mentorship: Supervising 9 PhD students, 2 Master’s students, and 1 Honours student, providing expert guidance in their academic journeys.
Research Funding: Leadership in high-profile microbial ecology projects funded by major organizations such as the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Water Research Australia (WaterRA), Climate-Smart Agriculture Program, Australian Research Council... Read more
Research
Excludes commercial-in-confidence projects.
Applying quantitative microbial risk assessment, epidemiological modelling, and Bayesian Network models to facilitate AMR management in wastewater services, water reuse and biosolids/composts usage, CRC SAAFE Limited, 01/07/2024 - 06/07/2028
The health of tank-stored rainwater in South Australian houses, Royal Society of South Australia, 23/09/2024 - 23/09/2025
SeaBOS AMR Keystone project, CRC SAAFE Limited, 01/09/2024 - 01/09/2025
Pesticide effects on soil microbial functions in contrasting SA soils, SA Grain Industry Trust, 01/07/2023 - 30/06/2025
Improving safety of vegetable produce through on‐farm sanitation, using Electrolysed Oxidising (EO) Water - VG15068, Hort Innovation, 01/06/2017 - 31/05/2020
Selected grants and research income since joining UniSA (total income $17M)
a chief investigator; b joint chief investigator; c contract.
Selected teaching and supervision roles since joining UniSA (for full list, refer to ORCID)
2020-current. Environmental Microbiology Primary Coordinator, lecturer, and tutor (ENVT2015).
2017-current. Co-supervision of HDR students, including (names and supervision start and end dates):
Research
Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below. Some long-standing staff members may have older outputs included. To see earlier years visit ORCID, ResearcherID or Scopus
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
Year | Output |
---|---|
2024 |
59
49
653
|
2024 |
Open access
4
4
182
|
2023 |
Open access
9
8
1
|
2022 |
Open access
30
26
10
|
2018 |
Open access
261
244
45
|
Year | Output |
---|---|
2017 |
5
|
2013 |
5
|
Year | Output |
---|---|
2024 |
59
49
653
|
2024 |
Open access
1
|
2024 |
Open access
4
4
182
|
2024 |
2
4
|
2024 |
5
6
3
|
2023 |
7
3
1
|
2023 |
2
1
1
|
2023 |
Open access
9
8
1
|
2022 |
Open access
50
44
85
|
2022 |
Open access
8
7
6
|
2022 |
Open access
15
15
11
|
2022 |
Open access
14
14
24
|
2022 |
Open access
14
14
5
|
2022 |
Open access
14
13
2
|
2022 |
Open access
19
16
9
|
2022 |
Open access
46
43
7
|
2022 |
Open access
30
26
10
|
2021 |
Open access
4
6
9
|
2021 |
Open access
26
25
9
|
2021 |
10
8
5
|
2021 |
Open access
29
29
7
|
2021 |
Open access
8
6
1
|
2020 |
Open access
71
64
3
|
2020 |
Open access
34
29
|
2020 |
Open access
36
33
1
|
2020 |
Open access
62
53
27
|
2019 |
3
2
|
2019 |
Open access
21
19
2
|
2018 |
9
8
10
|
2018 |
Open access
3
2
|
2018 |
Open access
261
244
45
|
2018 |
23
18
12
|
2018 |
Open access
9
8
|
2017 |
Open access
13
12
9
|
2017 |
Open access
7
6
|
2015 |
60
53
1
|
2014 |
20
18
1
|
2014 |
Open access
38
35
2
|
2013 |
Open access
18
15
|
2013 |
90
81
|
2012 |
Open access
76
75
|
2010 |
Open access
400
337
|
2009 |
Open access
79
73
|
2009 |
18
18
|
2008 |
Open access
222
195
|
White papers and industry reports (refer to ORCID for full list)
Editorial contributions (refer to ORCID for full list)
Research
Areas of Expertise: Microbial ecology, antimicrobial resistance, wastewater-based epidemiology, plant-soil-microbial interactions, climate change.
Courses: Primary Coordinator, lecturer, and tutor for the Microbial Ecology course (ENVT 2015/169532).
Mentorship: Supervising 9 PhD students, 2 Master’s students, and 1 Honours student, providing expert guidance in their academic journeys.
Research Funding: Leadership in high-profile microbial ecology projects funded by major organizations such as the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Water Research Australia (WaterRA), Climate-Smart Agriculture Program, Australian Research Council (ARC), Horticulture Innovation Australia (HIA), Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship (SeaBOS), the South Australian Environmental Protection Agency (SA EPA) and the Cooperative Research Centre for Solving Antimicrobial Resistance in Agribusiness, Food, and Environments (CRC SAAFE). The total budget of projects as Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-Investigator (CI) is $17M.
Focus Areas:
Capacity Building: Overseeing molecular microbiology laboratory development for 14 fellows across the Pacific Islands, Europe, and Asia to enhance global research capabilities.
Leadership in Non-Profit Organizations: Dr. Drigo serves as chair of two award-winning non-profits: Joint Academic Microbiology Seminars (JAMS) in Adelaide and the 500 Women Scientists pods in Australia and New Zealand, supporting early to mid-career researchers in STEM.
Global Networking: As a member of STEM Women and the Australian Academy of Science, she fosters diversity and inclusion in STEM. Additionally, she contributes to a global network of multidisciplinary women through her role as an eXXpedition ambassador.
Institutional Representation: From 2017 to 2023, Dr. Drigo represented the Future Industries Institute on the Institutional Biosafety Committee and in the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. Microbial Ecology institutional lab coordinator (X2-34) at FII, UniSA.
For the full list of career and research outputs refer to ORCID DR BARBARA DRIGO
Committees, awards and working groups (for full list see ORCID)
Since 2024, Dr. Drigo has collaborated with colleagues from the Future Industries Institute (FII), STEM, and the College of Health Sciences, along with experts from the University of Adelaide, to shape a cohesive educational vision for the Adelaide University. Their initiatives aim to:
1. Address critical epidemiological challenges.
2. Co-design a comprehensive research strategy for Food, Agriculture, and Wine in South Australia.
3. Develop a multidisciplinary microbial ecology course encompassing environmental science, geospatial studies, food science, and soil science.
Editorial and review activities (for full list see ORCID)
External engagement & recognition
Organisation | Country |
---|---|
Agricultural Research Organization | ISRAEL |
Australian Water Quality Centre | AUSTRALIA |
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology | UNITED KINGDOM |
Charles Sturt University | AUSTRALIA |
Charles University in Prague | CZECH REPUBLIC |
Chinese Academy of Sciences | CHINA |
Colorado State University | UNITED STATES |
CSIRO Australia (Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research organisation) | AUSTRALIA |
Ecas4 Australia | AUSTRALIA |
Ecas4 Australia Pty Ltd | AUSTRALIA |
Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute | AUSTRALIA |
Griffith University | AUSTRALIA |
Hebrew University of Jerusalem | ISRAEL |
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ | GERMANY |
Jülich Research Centre (Germany) | GERMANY |
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie, Campus Nord | GERMANY |
Lancaster University | UNITED KINGDOM |
Land and Water - CSIRO | AUSTRALIA |
Leiden University | NETHERLANDS |
Melbourne Water Corporation | AUSTRALIA |
Monash University | AUSTRALIA |
Netherlands Institute of Ecology | NETHERLANDS |
Norwich Research Park | UNITED KINGDOM |
NSW Department of Primary Industries | AUSTRALIA |
Quadram Institute | UNITED KINGDOM |
Quadram Institute Bioscience | UNITED KINGDOM |
Queensland University of Technology | AUSTRALIA |
Royal Netherlands Institute of Sea Research | NETHERLANDS |
SA Health | AUSTRALIA |
SA Water Corporation | AUSTRALIA |
San Antonio Abad del Cusco National University | PERU |
South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) | AUSTRALIA |
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences | SWEDEN |
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne | SWITZERLAND |
Sydney Adventist Hosptial | AUSTRALIA |
TRILITY | AUSTRALIA |
Universidade Católica Portuguesa | PORTUGAL |
University of Aberdeen | UNITED KINGDOM |
University of Adelaide | AUSTRALIA |
University of British Columbia | CANADA |
University of Cyprus | CYPRUS |
University of Edinburgh | UNITED KINGDOM |
University of Innsbruck | AUSTRIA |
University of Lorraine | FRANCE |
University of Manchester | UNITED KINGDOM |
University of Melbourne | AUSTRALIA |
University of Oxford | UNITED KINGDOM |
University of Porto | PORTUGAL |
University of Queensland | AUSTRALIA |
University of Sassari | ITALY |
University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
University of Technology Sydney | AUSTRALIA |
University of the Sunshine Coast | AUSTRALIA |
University of Thessaly | GREECE |
University of Wageningen | NETHERLANDS |
University of Western Australia | AUSTRALIA |
University of Wollongong | AUSTRALIA |
University of Zurich | SWITZERLAND |
Utah State University | UNITED STATES |
Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute | AUSTRALIA |
Water Research Australia | AUSTRALIA |
Western Sydney University | AUSTRALIA |
XING Technologies (Australia) | AUSTRALIA |
External engagement & recognition
Engagement/recognition | Year |
---|---|
Finalist in Science Category Women In Innovation SAWomen In Innovation |
2023 |
Australian Mine Rehabilitation scientific committee leadTom Farrell Institute for the Environment |
2017 |
EditorFrontiers in Microbiology |
2017 |
MemberAmerican Society for Microbiology |
2017 |
MemberInternational Society for Microbial Ecology |
2017 |
MemberAustralian and New Zealand Society of Criminology (ANZSOC) |
2017 |
MemberEcological Society of Australia |
2017 |
MemberEuropean Ecology Federation |
2017 |
ReviewerBiodegradation |
2017 |
ReviewerNature Climate Change |
2017 |
ReviewerPlant and Soil |
2017 |
ReviewerBiology and Fertility of Soils |
2017 |
ReviewerEcology Letters |
2017 |
ReviewerProceedings for the National Academy of Science |
2017 |
ReviewerNew Phytologist |
2017 |
ReviewerApplied Soil Ecology |
2017 |
ReviewerEnvironmental Microbiology |
2017 |
ReviewerMycological Research |
2017 |
ReviewerSoil Biology and Biochemistry |
2017 |
ReviewerPLOS ONE |
2017 |
ReviewerFEMS Microbiology |
2017 |
ReviewerGlobal Change Biology |
2017 |
ReviewerISME Journal |
2017 |
Scientific advisorExpedition |
2017 |
Scientific advisorIndigo V expedition |
2017 |
Scientific advisorUNESCO |
2017 |
Grant of Excellence in ScienceLeiden University |
2009 |
Certificate of Merit, American Society for MicrobiologyAmerican Society for Microbiology |
2007 |
Joint Academic Microbiology Seminars (JAMS) - Adelaide co-ordinator
Established in 2010 in Sydney and now hosted in four cities: Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Singapore. JAMS is a group of microbiologists that meet once a month to chat about all things microbiology over a beverage. We’re always looking for new speakers, so if you’d like to practice a talk in a relaxed environment, contact me at barbara.drigo@unisa.edu.au.
Take a stroll through our website (http://jams.org.au/) where you can meet our team, find info on our JAMS events, read our latest blog posts, and sign up to our mailing lists so you never miss an event. There’s also a noticeboard where we post info on conferences, other events, and microbiology jobs.
Our twitter account is @AdelaideJAMS or @jamsorgau
500 Women Scientists Australia and New Zealand co-ordinator:
This organization was started by four women who met in graduate school at CU Boulder and who maintained friendships and collaborations after jobs and life took them away from Boulder. They published an open letter re-affirming their commitment to speak up for science and for women, minorities, immigrants, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA.
500 Women Scientists works to build communities and foster real change that comes from small groups, not large crowds. Local Pods help create deep roots through strong, personal relationships and where members meet regularly, develop a support network, make strategic plans, and take action. Their focus is on issues that resonate in their communities and rooted in their mission and values.
Over 20,000 women of STEM and supporters from more than 100 countries have signed in support of 500 Women Scientists, pledging to build an inclusive scientific community dedicated to training a more diverse group of future leaders in science and to use the language of science to bridge divides and enhance global diplomacy.
Interested in joining the 500 Women Scientists leadership team? We are looking to bring a diversity of voices and perspectives from across backgrounds, scientific disciplines, career stages, and geographies into our all-volunteer leadership team. Get in touch!
For more information: https://500womenscientists.org/request-a-scientist
2020-current. Environmental Microbiology Primary Coordinator, lecturer, and tutor (ENVT 2015 SP5).
UniSA HDR students since joining UniSA (for full list refer to ORCID)
Current Pacific Islands, Europe, and Asia supervision/training to build molecular microbiological laboratory capacity internationally (name; qualification; institution; funding):
Teaching & student supervision