Dr Stephanie Watts-Fawkes, Research Officer, Crop Nutrition, NSW Department of Primary Industries

Full Name

27 Jan 2021

The aim was to identify and characterise a plant zinc transporter involved the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. MtZIP14 was strong candidate gene, and was characterised for its sub-cellular localisation in colonised roots, Zn-transport function, and loss-of-function phenotype.

Stephanie was an independent Ramsay Fellow at the University of Adelaide’s Waite campus. There, she conducted research on the plant-soil fungus symbiosis known as arbuscular mycorrhizas, and investigated how they can improve plant zinc and phosphorus nutrition on nutrient-depleted soils. She uses a combination of molecular and physiological techniques to study the symbiosis, and she is interested in the potential agricultural applications of arbuscular mycorrhizas, particularly for food security purposes. She currently works on crop nutrition issues for the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

Dr Stephanie Watts-Fawkes | Research Officer | Crop Nutrition
NSW Department of Primary Industries | Agriculture
Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute
PMB Pine Gully Rd | Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
M: 0438 759 252 E: stephanie.watts-fawkes@dpi.nsw.gov.au