Dr. Christopher Harmer

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Chris Harmer is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Sydney, specializing in Microbiology. His research interests focus on bacterial mobile genetic elements, particularly those that contribute to the accumulation of antibiotic resistance genes, which have led to the emergence of 'Superbugs'. He emphasizes the critical public health threat posed by bacterial antibiotic resistance and the potential consequences of failing to curb this crisis. His work particularly highlights the risk of returning to a pre-antibiotic age where routine surgeries, cancer treatments, and other modern medical procedures could lead to life-threatening, untreatable bacterial infections. Over the past eight years, he has investigated the common insertion sequence IS26 in Gram-negative bacteria and discovered a novel mechanism by which it mobilizes resistance genes, allowing them to accumulate. His research has received funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and he is an active member of the Australian Society for Microbiology, serving as Treasurer for the NSW-ACT State Branch.

Research Interests

Experience

Postdoctoral Research Associate

— Present

University of Sydney • Sydney

Conducting research on mobile genetic elements and their role in antibiotic resistance.

Requirements for University of Sydney

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.3
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:6.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:17
Reading
Required:17
Writing
Required:19
Speaking
Required:17
Total
Required:85
PTE
Listening
Required:54
Reading
Required:54
Writing
Required:54
Speaking
Required:54
Overall
Required:61
Prerequisites
A master's degree with a research component or a bachelor's degree with first or second-class honours. Demonstrated research experience and capability.
Application Checklist
  • Academic transcripts
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Research proposal (1000+ words)
  • Two academic referee reports
  • Evidence of residency status
  • Written statement of support from potential supervisor
Specialization Notes

This entry applies to Faculty of Science PhD programs including Departments such as Life and Environmental Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics and Statistics.