Nicholas Ashbolt

Nicholas Ashbolt is an Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University. He previously served as Executive Dean of the same faculty until September 2023. His expertise lies in environmental microbiology, focusing on biofilms, waterborne pathogens, and quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA).

Education:

• Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honors)
• PhD

Research Interests:

• Role of free-living amoebae in pathogen persistence
• Respiratory virus transmission mechanisms
• Waterborne disease dynamics
• Quantitative microbial risk assessment models
• Environmental pathogen reservoirs
• Disinfection process efficacy

Scientific Trends: His recent publications emphasize amoebae as environmental hosts for respiratory viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and reoviruses, demonstrating how these protozoa enhance viral persistence and resist disinfection. His work also explores Legionella proliferation in water systems through amoebal predation dynamics.

Scientific Awards:

• Alberta Innovates Translational Health Chair in Waterborne Disease

Academic Affiliations:

• Current: Southern Cross University (Adjunct Professor)
• Former: University of Alberta (Professor, School of Public Health)
• Former: University of New South Wales (Head of School, Civil and Environmental Engineering)
• Former: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency