Michael Kertesz

Associate Professor Michael Kertesz is affiliated with The University of Sydney's School of Life and Environmental Sciences. He specializes in soil microbiology, bacterial degradation processes, and microbial ecology. His research focuses on nutrient cycling in soils, microbial community dynamics under environmental stress, and biotechnological applications of compost systems. Kertesz holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge and has held senior academic roles at institutions including the University of Manchester.

• Education: Bachelor of Science (Honours I) in Synthetic Organic Chemistry from Monash University, PhD in Soil Microbiology from the University of Cambridge

Research interests include bacterial metabolism of sulfonates, glyphosate degradation, and the role of microbial communities in agricultural waste management. He leads projects on optimizing nitrogen supply in mushroom compost and developing biomarkers for compost quality control. His work bridges fundamental microbiology with applied agricultural challenges.

Grants include funding for compost quality database development, cold plasma seed treatment feasibility studies, and mushroom industry biosecurity protocols. Media engagements include ABC Rural and SkyNews discussions on mushroom industry innovations and public health warnings about toxic fungi.

Advising focuses on PhD/Master's projects related to soil microbial communities, environmental biotechnology, and microbial genomics. Collaborates with the Sydney Institute of Agriculture and industry partners like Horticulture Innovation Australia.

Active in interdisciplinary research, Kertesz co-leads projects combining microbiology with materials science (e.g., 3D-printed myco-materials). His lab investigates microbial solutions for sustainable agriculture and environmental bioremediation.