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Larelle Fabbro

ASDA, Dip.T., B.App.Sc.(Biol), PhD
Associate Professor
School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences
Rockhampton North
CQIRP
Ibis Ave., North Rockhampton 4701
About Me

Dr Larelle Fabbro is currently an Associate Professor in Environmental Sciences and involved in researching the aquatic ecology and health of the Fitzroy River system and teaching a specialized postgraduate course in Applied and Industrial Water Management at CQUniversity.

Larelle specializes in water quality and toxic algae. She has 30 peer reviewed publications and is co-author of 3 books. The books are the NHMRC recommended guides to the problematic cyanobacteria of Australia. Her publications have covered toxic bloom analysis; water quality, monitoring and management; water quality and algae of the Fitzroy River during flood and drought. Larelle was a member of the former Fitzroy Water Quality Advisory Group and is currently a quality assurance technical assessor.

In 2003, Larelle was awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Emerging Researchers and in 2007 the ACARP Award for Research Excellence – Health and Environment. Dr Fabbro has received over 3.5 million dollars in research funds as a principal investigator and over 1 million as a co-investigator. She has successfully completed 3 ACARP research projects for the mining industry. Larelle was featured in the ACARP coffee table book of key researchers in mining.

General
Background

Larelle has a background in clinical biochemistry, limnology and teaching.

Awards

2003 Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Emerging Researchers 2007 ACARP Award for Research Excellence – Health and Environment

Previous teaching

Courses that Assoc. Prof. Fabbro has previously taught are: Water Management (undergraduate and postgraduate courses), Botany of Aquatic Environments, Field Biology, Marine and Coastal Environments, Coastal Marine Resources, Aquaculture, First year Biology, Introductory Biology, Environmental Science, Data Management, Ecology, Clinical Biochemistry, Humans Microbes and Disease, Physiology, Pathophysiology and Culture Techniques.

Professional Experience

July 2009 to January 2013: Associate Professor and Ecotoxicology Group Leader with the Centre for Environmental Management, CQUniversity. February 2007 - February 2010: Director Postgraduate Science Studies at CQUniversity including head of the board of studies of the International Centre for Excellence in Water Resource Management. February 2007 – June 2008 Director undergraduate and postgraduate Environmental Sciences and Sustainability at CQUniversity. March, 1985-2007 Various research and teaching positions with CQUniversity including: Principal investigator on the following projects which developed or are developing new techniques for the management of blue-green algae and their toxins in relation to industry and public water supplies. ACARP - Investigations in relation to aquaponics, toxin producing algae including Aphanizomenon ovalisporum, maximizing water quality in mining pits and developing new techniques for the assessment of immunological reactions to toxins in the industrial setting. ACARP - Techniques for the minimization of the impacts of blue-green algal blooms on potable water supplies at mine sites. BMA - Aquaponics for the improvement of water quality. BSL - Techniques for the management of high pH and algae. GAWB bioaccumulation of the blue-green algal toxin cylindrospermopsin Subjects taught include: Water Management (undergraduate and postgraduate courses), Botany of Aquatic Environments, Field Biology, Marine and Coastal Environments, Aquaculture, First year Biology, Introductory Biology, Environmental Science, Data Management, Ecology, Clinical Biochemistry, Humans Microbes and Disease, Physiology, Pathophysiology and Culture Techniques. Jan 2003 – March 2003. National Eutrophication Management Programme Scientist with the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines working on the completion of the CSIRO, QDNR, CQU collaborative research project. 1995-2000. Co-investigator and algologist with the Natural Eutrophication Management Programme research project in Central Queensland. 1993-2000. Principal investigator (phytoplankton) with the Downstream Effects of Landuse, Fitzroy River Projects. Joint projects between CQU, DNR and DPI. 1993-2000 Various projects at CQU in relation to cyanobacterial identification and toxicity for the Queensland Electricity Commission and BHP mines and provider of specialist courses in algology for the QDNR. July, 1979-July, 84 Medical Laboratory Scientist at the Australian Department of Health Pathology Laboratory, Rockhampton. Working in the sections of Clinical Biochemistry, Immunology (Radio-isotopes, Serology and Immunoelectrophoresis), Haematology, and Histology with responsibilities for general testing, day to day section finance, method development, research, quality assurance in clinical biochemistry and immunology. May, 1979-July, 79 Teacher in senior biology and chemistry at the Rockhampton Grammar School. Jan. 1979 - May. 79 Employed as Medical Laboratory Scientist (management of microbiology section) at Dr. P. Beresford's Pathology Laboratory, Maryborough. 1974-76 Teacher

Professional Memberships

Australian Society for Limnology
Australian Institute for Mining and Mineralogy

Australian Systematic Botany Society
Australian Society for Phycology and Aquatic Botany
Australian Systematic Botany Society

International Society for the Study of Harmful Algae

International Association for Cyanophyte Research

Consultancy Work

Assoc. Prof. Larelle Fabbro has worked on both national and international research projects, research reviews and consultancies in relation to water quality and toxic algal blooms for governments, water authorities, power and mining companies.

Research Supervision
Accreditation

I am currently accredited for supervision in the following:

  • 4104 Environmental management
  • 3199 Other Biological Sciences
  • 4199 Other Environmental Sciences

At the level of Principal Supervisor


Current Capacity
I am currently available to supervise more research candidates
No Supervisions to display.
Research Interests
Environmental Sciences

Environmental Science and Management -

Publications
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Teaching
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