Hazel Farrell

Dr. Hazel Farrell is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), affiliated with the School of Life Sciences and the Plant Functional Biology and Climate Change Cluster (C3). Her research focuses on harmful algae ecology, aquaculture sustainability, and water quality management. She holds a PhD from the National University of Ireland, Galway (2010). Her work integrates real-time sensors, molecular assays, and environmental data to address threats to shellfish aquaculture and marine ecosystems.

Research Interests: Dr. Farrell specializes in harmful algal blooms (HABs), shellfish toxin detection, and climate change impacts on coastal ecosystems. Her projects emphasize practical solutions for aquaculture management, such as deploying eDNA and qPCR tools for early HAB detection. Recent work has focused on high-resolution monitoring of estuaries along southeastern Australia to improve harvest management strategies.

Grants & Collaborations: She leads the Australian Shellfish Industry Transformation Project (2021–2024), funded by Food Agility CRC, which combines sensor networks and eDNA to enhance shellfish production. Earlier grants include a study on phytoplankton dynamics in stratified marine systems (Irish Research Council, 2006).

Publications: Her recent articles analyze HAB dynamics, toxin detection methods, and climate-driven shifts in marine ecosystems. Key contributions include the development of qPCR assays for Dinophysis species and high-resolution estuarine datasets from Australian coastal zones.

Professional Role: As an Honorary Associate in UTS’s Sustainable Aquaculture Group, Dr. Farrell bridges academic research with industry needs, advocating for sustainable practices and food safety in aquaculture.