Associate Professor Richard Bentham

Academic Status

College of Science and Engineering

place Biological Sciences
GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, South Australia

My research strength is in microbial ecology in a variety of systems, with applications in environmental biotechnology. I have active research programs in the ecology and control of Legionella bacteria in water and soil systems, human health risk assesssment, the bioremediation and phytoremediation of contaminated soil and anaerobic digestion of putrescible wastes. I have been guest speaker at a number of International and National conferences relating to these research areas.

I have many years experience in provision of expert advisory services in relation to legionella and Legionnaires' disease control and consultancies relating to contaminated site remediation and health risk assessment in industrial settings.

Qualifications
Ph.D Bioremediation of complex organic pollutants (1999)
M.Sc Ecology and Control of Legionella in Cooling Water Systems (1993)
M.I.Biol (Thesis) Biodeterioration of polyester polyurethanes by soil micro-fungi (1987)
Honours, awards and grants

As Technical Advisor to Flinders Bioremediation I was responsible for the technical aspects and development of two awards:

National Case Earth Award 2005 and AWA First Prize 2004

Both were awarded for the Composting of Silt Trap Materials in Brownhill Creek, SA.

Outstanding achievement award for a media release. Public Relations Office and Media Liaison, Flinders University (2008).

Teaching interests
Public Health Microbiology
Environmental Microbiology
Microbial Ecology
Solid Waste Management
Human Health Risk Assessment
Supervisory interests
Contaminated sites, human health risks
Environmental microbiology
Phytoremediation
Solid waste management
Higher degree by research supervision
Current
Principal supervisor: Legionella and MAC eology and Control (1)
Associate supervisor: Anaerobic digestion of algal treated waste water (1), Environmental control of Strongyloides stercoralis (2)
Completion
Principal supervisor: Legionella Ecology and Control (1), anaerobic digestion (1), bioremediation (3), phytoremediation (2)
Associate supervisor: Legionella epidemiology and control (1), bioremediation (1), waste water treatment (1)
Higher degree by research student achievements
Harriet Whiley

Flinders University, School of the Environment Postgraduate Award for Public Research Output. - MAR 2013

Michael Taylor

3 Minute Thesis, Winner School of the Environment, Finalist Flinders University - APR 2012

Jess Hall

Best Presentation, FrC3E Postgraduate Conference - MAY 2008

Anita Benovic

SA Branch Prize, Australian Society for Microbiology - JUL 2001

Peter Wilmot

SA Branch Prize, Australian Society for Microbiology - JUL 2000

Chris Lease

Student Prize, Batelle International Conference on the Remediation of Complex organic pollutants - MAR 2004

Peter Wilmot

Best Poster, OZRI 2000 - MAY 2000

Ben Dearman

Scientific Excellence Award, Environment and Engineering Research Event - APR 2002

Sharyn Gaskin

Student Travel Award, Rhizosphere '02 International Conference - SEP 2007

Sharyn Gaskin

International Society for Microbiology, Student travel Award - JUL 2006

Harriet Whiley

Honours Scholarship, SA Water - FEB 2010

Harriet Whiley

Scholarship Suplement, Goyder Institute for Water Research - MAR 2010

Caitlin Solly

AJ and IM Naylon Honours Scholarship - JAN 2010

Michael Taylor

Student Prize, SA Branch, Australian Society for Microbiology - APR 2010

Tara Garrard

AJ and IM Naylon Honours Scholarship - FEB 2011

Sharyn Gaskin

Best presentation, Fr3CE Postgraduate Conference - JUL 2009

Harriet Whiley

3 Minute Thesis, Winner School of the Environmnent - MAY 2013

Expert for media contact
Bioremediation
Infection/Infectious diseases
Microbiology
Pollution
Waste treatment
Contaminated sites
Legionella and Legionnaires' disease
Solid waste management and disposal
Available for contact via
Or contact the media team
+61 8 82012092
0427 398 713
Media expertise
  • Bioremediation
  • Infection/Infectious diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Pollution
  • Waste treatment
Interests
  • Contaminated sites
  • Legionella and Legionnaires' disease
  • Solid waste management and disposal