Gaia Streparola

Project Title: Detection and characterisation of antimicrobial resistant Enterobacterales in integrated constructed wetlands. 

Overview: Gaia is a PhD researcher carrying out a project aimed at determining the impact of Integrated Constructed Wetlands (ICWs) on the levels of antimicrobial resistant organisms in wastewater.

Weight of scientific evidence ties the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment to the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in humans, animals and agriculture. The ICWs are deemed to reduce the levels of antimicrobial resistant organisms released into the environment by treated waters. However, little is known about their efficacy in AMR removal from different sources.

Thus, the expected outcome of the project will be directed at studying the presence of resistant pathogens in the environment through a ‘One Health’ lens.

Gaia holds a B.Sc. in Animal Science and completed her M.Sc. in Veterinary Biotechnology Sciences at the University of Milan. She gained experience in histopathology, microbiology and proteomics.

Programme Area: Food Safety Department

Supervisors: Kaye Burgess, and Finola Leonard

Location: Teagasc Ashtown Research Centre, Dublin 15

Funding Source: EPA