Kamalpreet Kaur
Research Assistant (Mycology)
Kamalpreet Kaur is a Research Assistant based in the National Herbarium of Victoria at the Melbourne Gardens. She performs advanced molecular work, including PCR, sequencing, and assay development, and supports research that combines traditional taxonomy with genomics, bioinformatics, and community ecology to provide new insights into the diversity, evolution, and ecology of fungi.
Kamalpreet holds a PhD in Plant Pathology from La Trobe University and Agriculture Victoria, where her research focused on exotic plant viruses in Australia and the development of improved diagnostic techniques. Her exceptional contributions were recognised with the Nancy Millis Medal for excellence in PhD research and plant biosecurity impact. She has applied her expertise in biosecurity emergency responses, including Avian Influenza and Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus outbreaks, providing technical advice and stakeholder engagement.
She is an active committee member of the Researchers in Agriculture for International Development (RAID) Network and the Australasian Plant Pathology Society (APPS), reflecting her commitment to advancing plant health research and biosecurity initiatives.