معرفی
Sara C. Bell is a researcher at James Cook University (JCU), specializing in amphibian disease ecology and microbial interactions. Her doctoral work (2012 PhD thesis) focused on the role of cutaneous bacteria in resistance to the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a key driver of global amphibian declines. She has contributed extensively to understanding the mechanisms of pathogen resistance, including bacterial symbiosis, immune responses, and environmental factors influencing disease dynamics.
Her research spans microbial ecology, conservation biology, and disease management, with a focus on amphibian health in tropical environments. Key contributions include studies on skin microbiota's antifungal activity, thermal tolerance of pathogens, and bioaugmentation strategies to combat chytridiomycosis. Collaborations with institutions like JCU and international researchers have advanced understanding of pathogen spread, population recovery, and host-pathogen coevolution.
Bell’s work integrates field studies, genomic analyses, and experimental approaches to address critical conservation challenges. Her findings inform strategies for mitigating disease impacts and preserving amphibian biodiversity in disease-affected ecosystems.
