Distinguished Professor Andy Ball

In January 2012, Andy was appointed Professor in Environmental Microbiology at RMIT University. He started his career as a Research Fellow in Liverpool University, UK and more recently held the position of Reader at the University Of Essex, UK. In April 2005, Andy was appointed Chair of Environmental Biotechnology at Flinders University Professor Ball brings a wealth of research and research and teaching expertise to the University at an International level, particularly in the fields of bioremediation, organic waste treatment, and environmental fate of organic pollutants. He is a former Director of the Centre for Environment and Society, Essex University, UK and Chairman and Director of Flinders Bioremediation.

Research publications

Professor Ball has generated internationally acclaimed research outputs since 1985. He has 110 peer reviewed publications cited 1710 times in total, with an annual citation average above 200 over the past 4 years. In addition Professor Ball has published 5 books (2 as author and 3 as editor) and written 34 book chapters. He has currently five provisional patents and one full patent.

Research activities

The three main research themes within the Environmental Microbiology are:

• Understanding the role of microorganisms in the cycling of nutrients in terrestrial and aquatic environments.
• Studying the impact of anthropogenic activities on microbial activity and diversity in aquatic and terrestrial environments.
• Examining bioenergy production and assessing the suitability of these technologies for commercialisation.
• The first 2 areas focus on the influence of pollutants on the activity of the microbial population together with the biodegradation of pollutants in situ. Through collaborations the specific research areas within these two themes vary. Use is made of current technological developments in molecular microbiology environmental chemistry to investigate microbially driven environmental processes.

Teaching activities

Teaching commitments include undergraduate and Masters courses in:

• Environmental Microbiology
• Environmental Biotechnology
• Microbiology
• Cell Structure and Function

Successfully completed the supervision of 32 Ph.D students, 6 MSc students at RMIT University and Flinders and Essex Universities.

• Ph.D. Liverpool University, Liverpool, UK, 1986
• B.Sc. (Hons.) Liverpool University, Liverpool, UK, 1983

Professional activities

• Editor, Bioresource Technology (2012 - present)
• Associate Editor, Microbiology (2009 - present)
• Editorial Board, International Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (2004 - present)
• Australia India Strategic Research Fund Committee (2008 - present)
• International Society for Microbial Ecology (2006- present)
• Society for General Microbiology (1984- present)