Karen Gibb

Professor Karen Gibb is an environmental microbiologist at Charles Darwin University (CDU), affiliated with the Faculty of Science and Technology and the Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods. She leads the Environmental Microbiology Research Group and the Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology Unit (ECMU), focusing on aquatic and marine systems, microbial monitoring, and food safety in the oyster industry. Her work includes developing tools to assess water quality, microbial threats, and ecosystem health in tropical environments.

Research interests span environmental microbiology, microbial source tracking, and the impacts of environmental change on marine ecosystems. She co-leads Bioscience North Australia (BNA), providing high-impact research and consultancy services. Notable projects include the Darwin Harbour Integrated Report Card and studies on Vibrio spp. dynamics in tropical estuaries.

Key achievements include over 165 refereed papers, an h-index of 41, and the 2006 Tropical Knowledge Research Award. She mentors postgraduate students and collaborates with universities, governments, and Indigenous communities. Teaching focuses on water quality analysis and marine systems, emphasizing both traditional and molecular techniques.

Recent research highlights include investigating microbial responses to monsoons, sewage contamination surveillance, and optimizing storage conditions for tropical rock oysters. Her work integrates ecological, chemical, and microbiological approaches to address water quality, biodiversity, and sustainable resource management in northern Australia.