laura Biessy

Laura Biessy

Team Leader – Microalgae

Role at Cawthron

Laura is a marine scientist and a team leader within Cawthron’s Molecular and Algal Ecology Group. Laura’s research focuses on aquatic ecology and the application of molecular tools to understand these complex environments and enable the protection of human health, including the use of qPCR, ddPCR, metabarcoding, metagenomics and transcriptomics. She specializes in marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms but has a particular interest in marine biotoxins present in shellfish. Her previous research focused on tetrodotoxin, and used a wide range of molecular, analytical, and laboratory-based studies to investigate the source and transmission of the toxin in shellfish in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Laura is currently the environmental DNA (eDNA) science lead at the Cawthron, helping other scientists, as well as councils and local communities, answer some important ecological questions using eDNA, including the development of new assays.

Laura has worked in various roles at Cawthron but now leads components of the New Zealand government funded Seafood Safety research platform, in particular the study of marine cyanobacteria and the ecology of harmful algal blooms impacting fish and shellfish. Laura also has a special interest in supporting young scientists and established an early career researcher group, that she led for 6 years, to provide a support network and career development opportunities for scientists in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Technical skills, experience and interests

  • Molecular techniques for detecting and enumerating microorganisms (PCR, qPCR, ddPCR)
  • DNA sequencing, high-throughput sequencing, bioinformatics
  • Environmental DNA
  • Biotoxin extractions and analysis
  • Tetrodotoxin
  • Shellfish anatomy and histology
  • Algae taxonomy & microscopy
  • Microscopy and algae culturing
  • Toxic microalgae (freshwater and marine)
  • Laboratory management

Achievements and affiliations

  • Elected council member of the International Society for the Study of Harmful Algae
  • Toxins Travel Award for Junior Scientists
  • Queen Elizabeth II Technician’s study award
  • New Zealand Food Safety Science and Research Center inaugural PhD scholarship
  • Explora’Sup Fund (France, 2013)
  • NZ Association of Women in Sciences (AWIS)

Qualifications

PhD (Biological Science, Ecology). University of Waikato, 2021
MSc (Environmental Toxicology). Joseph Fourier University, 2013
BSc (Biological Science). Joseph Fourier University, 2011

laura Biessy