Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
Michelle Power (She/Her) is a Professor in the School of Natural Sciences. Her research career began a parasitologist and has now broadened to consider co-infection and disease ecology within Australian ecosystems.
Michelle is particularly interested in reverse zoonoses or the transmission of disease agents from humans to wildlife species. An interest that has seen emphasis on studies examining the dissemination of antimicrobial resistant bacteria to wildlife species and subsequent impacts for wildlife health.
Michelle studies a suite of pathogens with an emphasis on gut parasites (Cryptosporidium and Giardia) and bacteria, and the interactions of these agents with diverse hosts (flying foxes, possums, koalas, Tasmanian devils, penguins, Australian sea lions and people). Michelle is particularly interested in parasite epidemiology and zoonotic risks.
The research outcomes from Michelle's group are significant for human health and wildlife health and the growing global issue of emerging infectious diseases. Michelle also uses innovative ways to increase public awareness on issues of AMR. The use of Citizen Science through the Scoop a Poop project has both engaged citizens through knowledge and active participation in the project.
Research interests
Host parasite interactions
The study of parasites and their hosts has traditionally focussed on single host-single parasite models. However, recent information shows that interactions between endemic organisms (microbiota) and co-infecting agents influence infection outcomes. Within this framework we are examining parasite co-infections within the enteric system and relationships between co-infecting agents and the microbiota of the host. My research extends to aspects of co-evolution, parasite adaptation, co-infection, and diversity, taxonomy and epidemiology of a range of parasites including Cryptosporidium, Eimeria and Giardia.
Antibiotic resistance ecology
The emergence of antimicrobial resistance is a major global health issue. Resistance is no longer only a human health issue with resistant bacteria having now spread to our wildlife. Michelle and her team are examining the spread of resistant bacteria to key wildlife species with the aim of understanding health impacts to wildlife, their role in further spread and persistence of resistant bacteria in the environment, and identification of wildlife indicators to monitor spread of resistant bacteria. This work feeds into the One Health framework for managing and mitigating the on-going issue of antimicrobial resistance.
Teaching and Leadership
Michelle's philosophy of teaching focusses on real world issues to engage students in the learning process and places them at the centre of learning through flipped classroom activities. Michelle has taught across a breadth of programs at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Her professional ethos centres on advancing excellence through activities and actions that integrate Research, Learning and Teaching and Outreach –the core of Macquarie University.
The integration of Research, Learning and Teaching, and Outreach is evident through the Scoop a Poop Citizen Science project (scoopapoop.org.au). Scoop a Poop enables citizen scientists to contribute to the global fight against antibiotic resistance by collecting possum poop from the backyards and the samples are initially tested for antibiotic resistance genes by undergraduate students.
Awards
Vice Chancellors Learning and Teaching award (ECR) | 2012
FSE Learning and Teaching award for integrating research into teaching | 2017
FSE Learning and Teaching award Academic Excellence | 2020
FSE Award for Leadership in Inclusion (Equity and Diversity) | 2022
Community engagement
Media
‘We can’t blame animals’ The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jul/19/we-cant-blame-animals-human-pathogens-are-making-their-way-into-vulnerable-wildlife
The Lighthouse https://lighthouse.mq.edu.au/article/november-2020/new-front-opens-in-australias-fight-to-save-the-koalas
https://theconversation.com/humans-are-polluting-the-environment-with-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria-and-im-finding-them-everywhere-150744
Radio
ABC Sydney Drive, Self-Improvement Wednesday, What are zoonoses? https://www.abc.net.au/radio/sydney/programs/self-improvement-wednesday/michelle-power/12767616
ABC Nightlife Emerging infectious disease panel discussion https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/nightlife/zoonotic-diseases-and-pandemics/12497566
https://www.findinggeniuspodcast.com/podcasts/in-forward-and-reverse-understanding-zoonosis-michelle-power-department-of-biological-sciences-at-macquarie-university-in-sydney-australia/
ABC Radio Canberra – Scoop a Poop National Science Week event chat | Aug 15, 2020
ABC Radio Darwin | November 26, 2020
Monday Drive, Eastside FM | December 7, 2020
Education/Academic qualification
Biological Sciences, PhD, Epidemiology of Cryptosporidium in Eastern grey kangaroos, Macquarie University
Award Date: 1 Oct 2003
Zoology, Bachelor of Science, Macquarie University
Award Date: 20 May 1997
External positions
Co-chair Queers in Science NSW
1 Jan 2023 → …
Flying fox advisory committee
6 Dec 2020 → …
Australian Wildlife Health Institute organising committee
Jul 2020 → 1 May 2023
Wild and Comparative Immunology Consortium
Dec 2019 → …
Birds and Marine Mammals Antarctic Wildlife Health Group , Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research SCAR
2016 → …
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Linking individual traits, the gut microbiome and parasite load in wildlife
McArthur, C., Power, M. & Gordon, I.
1/03/20 → 3/03/23
Project: Research
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Scoop a poop: citizens tackle antibiotic resistance in the wild
Power, M., Gillings, M. & McArthur, C.
3/07/17 → 31/12/17
Project: Teaching
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Bacterial pathogens and antibiotic resistance in juvenile Grey Headed Flying Foxes: Implications for flying fox health and in-care management
Power, M. & McDougall, F.
9/03/23 → 8/03/25
Project: Research
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Waterborne pathogen carriage in grey headed flying foxes
Power, M., McDougall, F. & Lal, A.
1/07/17 → …
Project: Research
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Parasite diversity and disease risk in the little penguin, Eudyptula minor
Power, M., Gray, R., Rose, C., Schaer, J. & Carroll, G.
2/02/17 → …
Project: Research
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Dynamics of antimicrobial resistance carriage in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) and Pteropid bats (Pteropus poliocephalus) before, during and after wildfires
McDougall, F. K., Speight, N., Funnell, O., Boardman, W. S. J. & Power, M. L., Dec 2024, In: Microbial Ecology. 87, 1, p. 1-15 15 p., 39.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus)21 Downloads (Pure) -
Carriage of antibiotic resistance genes to treatments for chlamydial disease in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus): A comparison of occurrence before and during catastrophic wildfires
McDougall, F. K., Boardman, W. S. J., Speight, N., Stephenson, T., Funnell, O., Smith, I., Graham, P. L. & Power, M. L., Dec 2023, In: One Health. 17, p. 1-10 10 p., 100652.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus)61 Downloads (Pure) -
Characterisation of typical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (tEPEC) lineages and novel bfpA variants detected in Australian fruit bats (Pteropus poliocephalus)
McDougall, F., Gordon, D., Robins-Browne, R., Bennett-Wood, V., Boardman, W. S. J., Graham, P. L. & Power, M., 1 Dec 2023, In: Science of the Total Environment. 902, p. 1-15 15 p., 166336.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Citations (Scopus)83 Downloads (Pure) -
Carriage of antibiotic resistant bacteria in endangered and declining Australian pinniped pups
Fulham, M., McDougall, F., Power, M., McIntosh, R. R. & Gray, R., 28 Jan 2022, In: PLoS ONE. 17, 1, p. 1-15 15 p., e0258978.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile11 Citations (Scopus)82 Downloads (Pure) -
Gut microbiota of endangered Australian sea lion pups is unchanged by topical ivermectin treatment for endemic hookworm infection
Fulham, M., Power, M. & Gray, R., 19 Dec 2022, In: Frontiers in Microbiology. 13, p. 1-22 22 p., 1048013.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile87 Downloads (Pure)
Prizes
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Faculty of Science and Engineering Excellence Award
Power, Michelle (Recipient), 2017
Prize: Teaching award
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Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence
Power, Michelle (Recipient), 2012
Prize: Teaching award