Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Overview
I completed my PhD, supervised by Dr. Jan Engelstaedter, investigating host shift dynamics of parasites within a host clade. In this project I am was interested in understanding the long-term dynamics and consequences of host-shift dynamics, while taking into account the evolutionary relationships between host species. I was interested in identifying predictable patterns in the distribution of pathogens using statistical and mathematical modeling.
Currently, I am a postdoctoral researcher working at the University of Queensland under Dr. Christine Beveridge. I will be creating computational models of plant hormone signalling in order to make predictions on the phenotypic outcomes of plant species.
Research Interests
- Plant hormone signalling
- Host parasite coevolution
Research Impacts
My research as part of the CoE for Plant Success aims to increase the efficiency of breeding efforts to modify plant phoenotypes. I will do this by creating mathematical models which depict our current understanding of hormone signalling. These models can be used to generate hypotheses which can be tested experimentally.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy of Biology, The University of Queensland
Publications
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Conference Publication: Using the emergent properties of network topologies to predict phenotypic change
Fortuna, Nicole, Wijerathna-Yapa, Akila and Beveridge, Christine A. (2023). Using the emergent properties of network topologies to predict phenotypic change. 10th International Conference on Functional-Structural Plant Models (FSPM2023), Berlin, Germany, March 27-31, 2023. Hannover, Germany: Institute of Horticultural Production Systems.
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Conference Publication: Modelling hormone signalling networks to better predict branching phenotypes
Fortuna, Nicole, Wijerathna-Yapa, Akila and Beveridge, Christine A. (2022). Modelling hormone signalling networks to better predict branching phenotypes. ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Success in Nature and Agriculture Research Retreat, Hobart, TAS Australia, 30 May - 1 June 2022. ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Success in Nature and Agriculture .
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Conference Publication: Prior Knowledge-driven Branching Phenotype Prediction for Shoot Architecture Improvement
Wijerathna-Yapa, Akila, Fortuna, Nicole, Dun, Elizabeth, Lawson, Brodie, Cooper, Mark and Beveridge, Christine A. (2022). Prior Knowledge-driven Branching Phenotype Prediction for Shoot Architecture Improvement. ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Success in Nature and Agriculture Research Retreat, Hobart, TAS Australia, 30 May - 1 June 2022.
Supervision
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Computational modelling approach to understanding shoot architecture including plant branching and flowering.
Doctor Philosophy
Publications
Journal Article
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Engelstädter, Jan and Fortuna, Nicole Z. (2019). The dynamics of preferential host switching: host phylogeny as a key predictor of parasite distribution. Evolution, 73 (7) evo.13716, 1330-1340. doi: 10.1111/evo.13716
Conference Publication
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Using the emergent properties of network topologies to predict phenotypic change
Fortuna, Nicole, Wijerathna-Yapa, Akila and Beveridge, Christine A. (2023). Using the emergent properties of network topologies to predict phenotypic change. 10th International Conference on Functional-Structural Plant Models (FSPM2023), Berlin, Germany, March 27-31, 2023. Hannover, Germany: Institute of Horticultural Production Systems.
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Modelling hormone signalling networks to better predict branching phenotypes
Fortuna, Nicole, Wijerathna-Yapa, Akila and Beveridge, Christine A. (2022). Modelling hormone signalling networks to better predict branching phenotypes. ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Success in Nature and Agriculture Research Retreat, Hobart, TAS Australia, 30 May - 1 June 2022. ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Success in Nature and Agriculture .
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Prior Knowledge-driven Branching Phenotype Prediction for Shoot Architecture Improvement
Wijerathna-Yapa, Akila, Fortuna, Nicole, Dun, Elizabeth, Lawson, Brodie, Cooper, Mark and Beveridge, Christine A. (2022). Prior Knowledge-driven Branching Phenotype Prediction for Shoot Architecture Improvement. ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Success in Nature and Agriculture Research Retreat, Hobart, TAS Australia, 30 May - 1 June 2022.
Other Outputs
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The dynamics of host shifting in coevolving host-parasite systems
Fortuna, Nicole (2021). The dynamics of host shifting in coevolving host-parasite systems. PhD Thesis, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/3becbcf
PhD and MPhil Supervision
Current Supervision
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Computational modelling approach to understanding shoot architecture including plant branching and flowering.
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
