Scott Rice

A/Prof Scott Rice is a Visiting Professor in the Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). His primary affiliation is within the Faculty of Science. His research focuses on bacterial biofilm formation mechanisms, particularly the molecular pathways governing the transition between planktonic and biofilm states.

Rice's research spans multiple areas including microbial interactions in biofilms, bacteriophage roles in biofilm development, and application of nitric oxide to control biofilm formation for industrial/medical uses. He leads projects involving three-species biofilm consortia and investigates bacterial responses to predators like protozoa.

His funded research includes grants from the Australian Research Council (ARC) focusing on biofilm responses to plasma treatments, multiplexed surface signals for biofilm inhibition, and microbiologically induced corrosion in mining. Notable collaborations include work with Wintermute Biomedical on catheter-associated UTI treatments and Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) on biofilm evolution studies.

Rice has supervised scholarship projects like Sanaa Harrass's work on biofilm community interactions. His work bridges fundamental microbiology with applied solutions for healthcare and environmental challenges.