Dr Behnoush Asgari | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Dr Behnoush Asgari

PhD Sunshine Coast, MSc ABZUMS, BSc KIAU

  • Associate Lecturer, Microbial Ecology
  • School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Email
Telephone
+61 7 5430 2845
Office location
SD-I.2.11A
Campus
Sunshine Coast

Dr Behnoush Asgari is an Associate Lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast, combining expertise in medical microbiology, host-pathogen interactions, and microbial pathogenesis with a strong commitment to both teaching and research. As a member of the Centre for BioInnovation, Dr Asgari collaborates with multidisciplinary teams and industry partners on projects addressing human and foodborne pathogens, probiotic interventions, and rapid molecular diagnostics.

Behnoush complete her PhD in Medical Microbiology at UniSC in 2025, focusing on the interaction of pathogenic Escherichia coli strains carrying the Type 6 Secretion System (T6SS) with advanced gut epithelial models, and investigating the protective effects of Limosilactobacillus reuteri on host-pathogen interactions. Her Master’s research examined the anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of probiotic strains including Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, and L. plantarum in murine models, exploring their potential to mitigate infection and inflammation.

Dr Asgari's research combines molecular microbiology, mammalian cell culture, in vivo models, transcriptomics, and bioinformatics to understand microbial virulence and host responses. She also engages in applied research with industry partners, translating laboratory findings into practical tools for food safety and diagnostics. Through these efforts, she aims to advance microbiological knowledge while fostering collaborative research and supporting students in developing practical skills and scientific understanding.

 

Professional Memberships

  • Centre for Bioinnovation (CBI)
  • Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM)

Awards/Fellowships

  • Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship, University of the Sunshine Coast, 2022–2025
  • ASM Conference Bursary Recipient, Australian Society for Microbiology, 2025

Professional Social Media

Identifiers

Research areas

  • molecular pathogenesis of translocating Escherichia coli strains carrying the Type 6 Secretion System (T6SS) and host epithelial responses
  • transcriptomic profiling of host cells to identify pathways modulated during bacterial infection
  • interaction of probiotics, particularly Limosilactobacillus reuteri, with intestinal epithelial cells and modulation of host defenses
  • development and optimization of gut epithelial co-culture models to study host-pathogen interactions
  • rapid molecular detection of pathogens in food and industrial microbiology applications
  • characterization of virulence genes and their role in bacterial translocation and infection

Teaching areas

  • LFS262 Medical Microbiology
  • LFS261 Microbiology
  • MBT353 Microbial Pathogenesis
  • MBT301 Pharmaceutical and Food Microbiology
  • MBT361 Applied Microbiology

Dr Behnoush Asgari's specialist areas of knowledge include gut microbiota and probiotics, laboratory diagnostics in infectious disease, host–microbe interactions and human health

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