Personal profile
Research
I am an ecologist with a strong interest in microbial community dynamics, biogeochemical cycling, and biotechnology. My career objective is to use hypothesis driven and multidisciplinary research to improve the resilience of the natural environment.
My areas of research include:
- Microbial ecology of natural systems; including, freshwater biofilms, soils, plant-microbe interactions.
- Understanding the role of microorganisms in biotechnology applications.
- Biogeochemical processes in freshwater and riparian ecosystems; specifically, urban stream ecology and restoration.
Biography
I completed a Bachelor of Science and honours degree in Zoology at UWA in 2015. At the beginning of 2021 I completed my PhD in urban freshwater ecosystem function, also at UWA. I am now a post-doctoral researcher within the School of Agriculture and Environment working primarily in microbial ecology. I am also the co-director of a science communication and research consulting company, Ooid Scientific, and currently spend my time between consulting and research.
Current projects
- Using Black Soldier Fly technology to convert agricultural waste into high quality fertiliser and soil improvers
- Evaluating the functions and benefits of constructed wetlands and living streams
- Innovative on-farm water, energy and nutrient technologies and practices for Australian Dairy, Egg, Pork and Cropping industries
- A Proof of Concept For Technology Enabled Intensive Marron Farming
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 15 Life on Land
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae residue (frass) influences bacterial more than fungal communities in field-grown crops and pastures
Middleton, J., Martin, B. C., Kidd, D., Wisdom, J., Ryan, M. & Jenkins, S., 28 Oct 2025, In: Journal of Insects as Food and Feed.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Impact of Seed Maturation on the Morphology, Nutrition, Microbiome Composition and Germinability of Subterranean Clover (Trifolium subterraneum) Seeds
Ahmed, S., Singh, P., Middleton, J., Merritt, D., Jenkins, S. & Nichols, P., Apr 2025, In: Grass and Forage Science. 80, 2, 16 p., e12725.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Light and Hydrogen Sulfide Cause Multilevel Disruption of Carbon Metabolism in the Seagrass Halophila ovalis
Jung, E. M. U., Martin, B. C., Kendrick, G. A., Middleton, J. A., Skrzypek, G., Pernice, M., Daygon, V. D., Elahee Doomun, S. N., De Souza, D. P. & Fraser, M. W., 15 Jul 2025, In: Environmental Science and Technology. 59, 27, p. 13765-13776 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Positive Feedback on Climate Warming by Stream Microbial Decomposers Indicated by a Global Space-For-Time Substitution Study
Perez, J., Boyero, L., Pearson, R. G., Gessner, M. O., Tonin, A., Lopez-Rojo, N., Rubio-Rios, J., Correa-Araneda, F., Alonso, A., Cornejo, A., Albarino, R. J., Anbalagan, S., Barmuta, L. A., Boulton, A. J., Burdon, F. J., Caliman, A., Callisto, M., Campbell, I. C., Cardinale, B. J. & Carneiro, L. S. & 56 others, , Apr 2025, In: Global Change Biology. 31, 4, 12 p., e70171.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
Processing poultry manure with black soldier fly technology lowers N2O and CO2 gas emissions from soil
Jenkins, S. N., Langa, S. P., Middleton, J. A., Martin, B. C., Wheat, L. & Gleeson, D. B., 2025, In: Journal of Insects as Food and Feed. 11, 9, p. 1591-1603 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Web of Science)
Datasets
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Data from: Hierarchical multi-taxa models inform riparian vs. hydrologic restoration of urban streams in a permeable landscape
Gwinn, D. C. (Creator), Middleton, J. A. (Creator), Beesley, L. (Creator), Close, P. (Creator), Quinton, B. (Creator), Storer, T. (Creator) & Davies, P. (Creator), DRYAD, 6 Nov 2017
DOI: 10.5061/dryad.7nm6b, https://doi.org/10.5061%2Fdryad.7nm6b and one more link, https://zenodo.org/record/5006324 (show fewer)
Dataset
Projects
- 2 Finished
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A Proof of Concept For Technology Enabled Intensive Marron Farming
Fraser, M. (Investigator 01), Martin, B. (Investigator 02), Vercoe, P. (Investigator 03), Guzzomi, A. (Investigator 04), Beesley, L. (Investigator 05), Middleton, J. (Investigator 06) & Lawrence, C. (Investigator 07)
Aquatic AI, AgriFutures Australia
30/06/21 → 3/04/23
Project: Research
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Evaluating the functions and benefits of constructed wetlands and living streams
Middleton, J. (Investigator 01), Martin, B. (Investigator 02), Beesley, L. (Investigator 03) & Douglas, M. (Investigator 04)
1/04/21 → 30/06/23
Project: Research