Doctor Cheryl L. Hunt

• Biography
• Areas of Research / Teaching Expertise
• Grants / Current Projects
• Selected Publications
• Optional
• Contact Details

Biography

• 1978 BSc(Hons) (Biochemistry), University Of Sydney
• 1986 PhD (Biochemistry), University Of Sydney awarded; thesis title: A Study of Cysteine Regulated Promoters of Escherichia coli K-12 by Gene Fusion.

Prior to joining UWS in 1994, I held the following positions

• 1989-1994 Senior Scientific Officer, Department of Parasitology, Westmead Hospital
• 1988-1989 Scientific Officer, Medical Parasitology Unit, Westmead Hospital
• 1985-1988 Research Scientist, CSIRO Division of Animal Production, Prospect

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Areas of Research / Teaching Expertise

I have taught into a wide variety of Bioscience and Nursing units, covering areas such as microbiology, medical microbiology including immunology, microbial genetics, microbial biochemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology, biotechnology, nutrition, anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology.

My research interests have involved topics in medical microbiology including molecular diagnostics, molecular epidemiology and molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis.
Current areas of research activity include medical microbiology, geo-microbiology and education research.

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Grants / Current Projects

Collaborative projects with the Children’s Hospital, Westmead continue to be developed for Honours and Advanced Science students. Projects in 2008-9 were

• Antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria (extended spectrum β-lactamases) and evaluation of relevant detection regimes (collaborative research project with Westmead Childrens’ Hospital); results were recently communicated by the student involved, Zorana McDavitt: McDavitt, Z., Andresen, D. and Hunt, C.L. (2008) Antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria (extended spectrum β-lactamases ESBLs) and evaluation of antibiotic resistance laboratory testing. Abstracts of the Australian Society for Antimicrobials Conference, Stamford Plaza, Sydney, 21-23 February.
• Development of an RT-PCR assay for Epstein Barr Virus, with the aim of investigating a possible link between this virus and Burkit’s Lymphoma based on viral load determination (collaborative research project with Westmead Childrens’ Hospital)
• Development of an RT-PCR assay for RSV (respiratory virus) for use in diagnostics and antiviral drug evaluation (collaborative research project with Westmead Childrens’ Hospital)
• Bioaccumulation of Arsenic(V) by Euglena found at an acid mine drainage site at Sunny Corner
• Study of acid mine drainage (AMD) microbiota, in particular Euglena 

The study of Euglena spp in acid mine drainage trains is a collaboration with UWS scientists and CSIRO.

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Selected Publications

Hunt, C.L., Sharpe, J.L. and Williams, P.A. (2007) Betpakdalite from the Pine Mountain mine, Brungle, New South Wales. Australian Journal of Mineralogy, 13, 96.

Kidd, S.E., Hitchcock, C., Marszewska, K., Balakrishnan, P., Hunt, C., Rajendran, P., Usha, A.R., Thyagarajan, S.P., Sorrell, T.C., Meyer, W. (2002) Molecular epidemiology of clinical and environmental isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans from Tamil Nadu, India. Australian Mycologist, 20, 105-114.

Trincado, D.E., Scott, G.M., White, P.A., Hunt, C., Rasmussen, L. and Rawlinson, W.D. (2000) Human cytomegalovirus strains associated with congenital and perinatal infections. Journal of Medical Virology, 61, 481-487.

Russell, R.C., Doggett, S.L., Munro, R., Ellis, J., Avery, D., Hunt, C.L. and Dickenson, D. (1993). Lyme disease: A search for a causative agent in ticks in south-eastern Australia. Epidemiology and Infection, 112, 375-384.

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Optional

I am a Member of the Australian Society of Microbiology and the Royal Society of NSW.

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