Associate Professor Harriet Whiley

Associate Professor in Environmental Health

College of Science and Engineering

place Health Sciences (5.22)
GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, South Australia

Harriet Whiley is an Associate Professor in Environmental Health. As an environmental microbiologist and accredited Environmental Health Officer her research is aimed at informing best practice control of pathogens to protect human health. She is passionate about collaborative research with industry and government partners to facilitate the feedback loop between research, regulation, and practice. Her research areas include infection control, biofilms, water quality, food safety and risk assessment.

Harriet is the Deputy Director of the ARC Training Centre for Biofilm Research and Innovation https://www.flinders.edu.au/arc-biofilm

She also leads the Flinders Water Quality and Health Research Consortium https://www.flinders.edu.au/water-quality-health

Harriet is available for Honours, Masters and PhD supervision.

Harriet is also available for contract research projects and has experience collaborating with industry partners to deliever specific research outcomes.

https://www.microbialtestingandresearchservices.net/

Qualifications

PhD in Environmental Microbiology with Flinders University and the South Australian Water Corporation.
Thesis title: Using qPCR to investigate colonisation of Mycobacterium avium Complex (MAC) and Legionella spp. in South Australian potable and recycled water distribution systems.

Graduate Diploma in Environmental Health Practice, Flinders University, South Australia

Bachelor of Science (Honours), Flinders University, South Australia, Australia. (First Class)
Thesis title: Detection of opportunistic intracellular pathogens in potable water

Bachelor of Medical Science (Microbiology), Flinders University, South Australia

Honours, awards and grants
  • Australian Awards for University Teaching Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Leaning "Engaging students with Environmental Health through creative curricula and accessible, industry informed, authentic learning experiences” (2021)
  • South Australian Young Tall Poppy Science Award (2018)
  • Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (2017)
  • Vice President and Executive Deans Award for Excellence in Teaching (2017)
  • Vice Chancellor’s Award for Early Career Researcher, Flinders University (2016)

  • School of the Environment postgraduate award for teaching excellence, Flinders University, South Australia (2015)
  • Flinders University School of the Environment winner of The 3 Minute Thesis competition (2013)
  • School of the Environment postgraduate award for public research output, Flinders University, South Australia (2013)
  • Recipient of the Goyder Insitute for Water Research PhD stipend top-up scholarship (2012-2014)
  • Recipient of Australian Postgraduate Awards Scholarship (2011-2014)
  • Chancellor's letter of commendation, Flinders University, South Australia (2010)
  • South Australian Water Corporation honours scholarship holder (2010)
Teaching interests

Course Convenor for the National Short Courses in Environmental Health

Topic coordinator
ENVS2712 Environmental Change and Human Health
ENVH9704 Risk Assessment and Management
ENVH7722 Food Safety
ENVH7742 Microbiology and Communicable Diseases
Topic lecturer
ENVH9704 Risk Assessment and Management
ENVH7742 Microbiology and Communicable Diseases
ENVH7722 Food Safety
ENVS2712 Environmental Change and Human Health
BIOL3760 Foundations in Microbiology
STEM7001 Research Methods for Science Honours
Supervisory interests
Biofilms
Campylobacter spp
Drinking water treatment
Environmental health
Environmental microbiology
Food microbiology
Food policy
Food policy and regulation
Legionella longbeachae
Legionella pneumophila
Microbial ecology
Microbiology
Molecular biology
Mycobacterium avium
Potting mix
Public health
Salmonella spp
Water distribution systems
Water quality
Water reuse
Higher degree by research supervision
Current
Principal supervisor: Microbiology / environmental health (2)
Associate supervisor: Environmental health (1), Biofouling (1), Microbiology / environmental health (2)
Completion
Principal supervisor: Microbiology/ environmental health (1)
Associate supervisor: Environmental health/parasitology (1), Environmental health (1)