2023 RTP round - Effector discovery in Phaeosphaeria avenaria and their roles in septoria avenea blotch of oat

Status: Closed

Applications open: 8/07/2022
Applications close: 18/08/2022

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About this scholarship
Description/Applicant information

Parastagonospora avenae is a necrotrophic fungal pathogen that causes Septoria avenae blotch (SAB), a damaging oat disease especially in WA where no oat variety is resistant to the disease. Average yield losses from this disease in the high rainfall zone are approximately 15% and result in significant economic loss. One of our recent studies demonstrated that P. avenae produces host-specific necrotrophic effectors (NEs). It is believed that the NEs interact with host susceptibility genes to induce diseases. To date little is known about these NE’s role in this P. avenea-oat pathosystem therefore efforts are needed to dissect the virulence of the pathogen and discover fungal effectors that can be developed into effective breeding tools to improve disease resistance. This project is set to 1) identify NEs produced by this pathogen; 2) establish knowledge on their roles in SAB; and 3) produce breeding tools to improve disease resistance by removing susceptibility in oat breeding lines 

An Internship opportunity may also be available with this project.

Student type

• Future Students

Faculty

• Faculty of Science & Engineering
  • Science courses
  • Engineering courses
  • Western Australian School of Mines (WASM)

Course type

• Higher Degree by Research

Citizenship

• Australian Citizen
• Australian Permanent Resident
• New Zealand Citizen
• Permanent Humanitarian Visa

Scholarship base

• Merit Based

Value

The annual scholarship package (stipend and tuition fees) is approx. $60,000 - $70,000 p.a.

 

Successful HDR applicants for admission will receive a 100% fee offset for up to 4 years, stipend scholarships, valued at $28,854 p.a. for up to a maximum of 3.5 years, are determined via a competitive selection process. Applicants will be notified of the scholarship outcome in November 2022. 

 

For detailed information, visit: Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships | Curtin University, Perth, Australia.

Scholarship Details
Maximum number awarded

1

Eligible courses

All applicable HDR courses

Eligibility criteria

Applicants who passionate about science especially in plant molecular biology who want to make a difference to our agricultural practices to protect our crops. Applicants should have a creative minds, the willingness to learn new things and the right work ethics. The applicants will be ready to embrace Curtin culture and values. 

Application process

If this project excites you, and your research skills and experience are a good fit for this specific project, you should contact the Project Lead (listed below in the enquires section) via the Expression of Interest (EOI) form.

Enrolment Requirements

Eligible to enrol in a Higher Degree by Research Course at Curtin University by March 2023

Enquiries

To enquire about this project opportunity that includes a scholarship application, contact the Project lead, Dr Huyen Phan Phan via the EOI form above.

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