Heema Vyas

Heema Vyas is a Researcher at the University of Adelaide's Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, previously serving as a Postdoctoral researcher at the University of Sydney (2021–2024). Her work focuses on combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) via plasma-activated water (PAW), targeting biofilms across healthcare, food safety, and environmental contexts. She investigates PAW's mechanisms, including membrane disruption, reactive species accumulation, and transcriptomic responses in biofilms.

Her interdisciplinary research bridges microbiology, chemical engineering, and plasma physics. Key contributions include demonstrating PAW's efficacy against chronic infection biofilms and revealing novel stress-response pathways in bacteria exposed to PAW. She advocates for inclusive academic practices, publishing on queer/trans-inclusive hiring and conference design. Her work emphasizes translational solutions to global health challenges posed by AMR.