Dr Sasha Jenkins has over ten years of research and teaching experience in the application of microbial biotechnology for sustainable agricultural waste management. Her research focuses on the optimisation of low-cost waste treatment technologies for the recapture of bioenergy, nutrients and water and development of novel fertilisers and feeds from the recovered resources. In recognition of her research, she won a national agriculture award in 2012.

• Master of Biotechnology Course Coordinator
• Member of Faculty of Science Gender and Inclusion Committee, University of Western Australia (UWA) 2019-
• Member of School Agriculture and Environment Research Committee, University of Western Australia (UWA) 2019-
• Member of School Agriculture and Environment Teaching Committee, University of Western Australia (UWA) 2020-
• PhD Supervisor

• Waste management and environmental biotechnology
• Development of new waste treatment technologies (microalgae and insect farming) that recapture nutrients and water or convert waste into bioenergy, fertilisers, soil improvers and alternative feeds
• Optimisation of low-cost anaerobic digestion systems by understanding the microbiology
• Climate change mitigation through identifying key microbes driving greenhouse gas emissions
• Sustainable agriculture, organic agriculture, best management practices for nutrients, manures and effluents including development of alternative fertilisers and soil improvers (composts)
• Microbial ecology
• Integration of molecular, DNA/RNA stable isotope labelling, modelling and statistical approaches to elucidate the link between microorganisms and ecosystem function
• Unravelling the underlying processes controlling microbial diversity and activities in natural, agricultural and engineered systems
• Linking microbial functional diversity with biogeochemical processes, especially N and C cycling
• Monitoring the response of microbial communities to perturbation, agricultural practices and climate change
• Spatio-temporal distribution of microbial communities in relation to environmental parameters

Awards

• National Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, 2012
• UWA Research Development Award Scheme, 2011
• British Council Researcher Exchange Programme Award (2008) to visit Kasetsart University, Thailand

ENVT5001 - Biotechnology and the Natural Environment

ENVT5514 - Environmental Biosensing Agents

ENVT5005 - Waste and the Circular Economy

BTEC5501-6  Biotechnology Research Dissertation (36 points)

BTEC5507-10 -Biotechnology Research Project (24 points)

AGRI5504 - Organic Agriculture (2018-20)

Price, J, Tait S, Aaron, S, Redding, M, Jenkins, SN, Biala, J,  Scott, P, 2019, 'Smart Farming Partnerships Round 2 - Pilot to Paddock (P2P) -Innovative on-farm water, energy and nutrient technologies and practices for Livestock and Cropping industries', National Landcare Program 

Santini, T, Murphy, D, Jenkins, SN, 2019, ‘Bioneutralisation of ATA bauxite residue’, Emirates Global Aluminium PJSC. 

Jenkins, SN, Redding M, Kragt, M, Guzzomi, K,A Siddique, Page, A,  Ryan, M, Santini, T, Dempster, F, Kidd, D, Waite, I,  Wheat, L, 2019, 'R&D for Profit 18-04-007 Closing the loop : Black Soldier Fly technology to convert agricultural waste', Australian Pork Limited ex Department of Agriculture 

Abbott, LK, Jenkins, SN, Solaiman, Z,  2019, 'Smart Farms Small Grants Round 2 - Farm Demonstration to fast-track restoration of soil condition using pereable biomass barriers', National Landcare Program 

Ryan, M. & Jenkins, SN, 2018. Richgro: Utilisation of a liquid by-product from a biogas facility for enriching biochar in potting mix, compost, and implications for application directly to soil.

Wheat, L, Lawrence, C, Guzzomi, A, Jenkins, SN, Cook, D, Partridge, J, 2018. ‘Novel feed from organic waste. Fisheries Research and Development Cooperation

Abbott, LK, Jenkins, SN, Waite, IS, Solaiman, Z, 2016, ‘Soil microbial processes associated with retention of soil carbon after application of composted manure to dairy pastures’, South West Catchments Council. 

Abbott, LK, Jenkins, SN, Waite, IS, Solaiman, Z, 2015, 'Soil Microbial Processes and Soil Carbon for Dairy Pastures Amended with Compost', South West Catchments Council.

Jenkins, SN, Cook, D, Abbott, LK, Waite, IS, 2015, 'Reducing stable fly emergence in soils amended with litter ', Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation.

Jenkins, SN, Abbott, LK, Waite, IS, 2015 'RnD4Profit -14-1-022-Waste to Revenue: Novel Fertilisers and Feeds', Australian Pork Limited.

Pluske, J, Jenkins, SN, Waite IS, et al., 2015, ‘Establishing the Links Between Higher-fibre Diets Fed to Pigs after Weaning, Microbial Diversity and Metabolic Function in the Gastrointestinal Tract, and Enhanced Gut Health’, CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork. 

Moheimani, N, Jenkins, SN, Waite IS, Pluske, J, 2014, ‘Optimising use of algae grown on untreated and undiluted anaerobic digestion piggery effluent', CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork. 

Farrell, M, McDonald, L, Jenkins, SN, Abbott, LK, Waite, IS, Wong, M, 2014, 'Understanding Biological Farming Inputs', CSIRO ex Grains Research & Development Corporation. 

Batstone, D, Jensen, P, Jenkins, SN, Tait, S, 2014, Enhanced methane production from pig manure in covered lagoons and digesters, CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork. 

Jenkins, SN, 2012, The Effect of Antimicrobials on the Anaerobic Digestion of Piggery Waste', Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry. 

Jenkins, SN, 2012, 'Mitigating the Greenhouse Gas Potential of Australian Soils Amended with Livestock Manure', Australian Pork Limited APL ex DAFF Carbon Farming Futures Filling the Research Gap Program. 

Jenkins, SN, Abbott, LK, Waite, IS, 2011, 'Risks & benefits of applying piggery by-products to soil', Australian Pork Limited APL. 

Jenkins, SN, 2011, 'Unravelling Microbial Phosphorus (P) Cycling in Soils Receiving Different P inputs', UWA internal funding.

Zhou, W, Zhang, Jenkins, SN et al. 2011, 'Bioenergy from microalgae grown in wastewater and coupled to anaerobic digestion', UWA UQ Bilateral Research Collaboration Award. 

O’Donnell, AG, Jenkins, SN, Murphy, DV, 2010, ‘Molecular indicators of soil quality ', Grains Research & Development Corporation. 

Jenkins, SN, 2009, 'Enhancing biogas capture in covered anaerobic ponds', Australian Pork Limited APL. 

O’Donnell, AG, Jenkins, SN, Hipsey, M, 2009, ‘Nitrogen cycling in the Swan Estuary' Swan Canning Research and Innovation Program. 

2008 – 2020 Research Associate, School of Earth & Environment, University of Western Australia.
2007 – 2008 Research Associate, School of Biology, Newcastle University, England
2006 – 2007 Research Assistant, School of Biology Newcastle University, England.