Denise Fernando is a PhD student investigating localisation and ecophysiology of manganese-hyperaccumulator plants, with particular focus on in-situ localization of Mn within the tissues at the cellular and subcellular level. She joined the Applied Ecology Research Group in May 2003 after previously having worked in the area of electron microscopy(EM); in particular Cryo-EM and X-ray microanalysis. EM was used as the major investigative tool in following up a recent discovery of a native Australian Mn hyperaccumulator. Further studies on localisation, other aspects of plant detoxification strategies, and plant ecologies are ongoing.

Supervisors:

Prof. Alan Baker, Applied Ecology, School of Botany, University of Melbourne.

Assoc. Prof. Ian Woodrow, Plant Physiology, School of Botany, University of Melbourne.