Dr. Steph Gardner

Biography

Steph Gardner is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Sydney, specializing in marine microbial ecology. Her research interests encompass both tropical and temperate reef ecosystems, as well as Antarctic benthic ecology. She completed her undergraduate degrees in Business and Science at the University of Technology Sydney and has engaged in marine conservation work in Seychelles. Steph is finalizing her PhD in Marine Biology at UTS and has relocated to Barcelona, Spain, where she worked as an Endeavour Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC). Following this, Steph served as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of New South Wales in Sydney. Her studies focus on microorganisms, including bacteria and a range of organisms such as corals, fish gastrointestinal tracts, invertebrates, and algae. Currently, she investigates microbes in benthic habitats in Antarctica, aiming to characterize the biodiversity and complexity of the world’s most remote continent. Her research spans the physiology and biochemistry of corals, particularly the sulfur compound dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) that corals utilize as an antioxidant under changing environmental conditions that lead to coral bleaching. A passionate advocate for the marine environment, Steph is dedicated to inspiring and supporting younger generations, especially women, to pursue careers in STEMM fields. Her research aligns with the Faculty of Science's strengths in healthy ecosystems, climate change, environmental change, and biodiversity conservation.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards