In early 2013, Dr Charlotte Oskam graduated with a PhD in Biological Sciences and Biotechnology from Murdoch University (MU). Charlotte's PhD research and expertise focused on DNA isolation, amplification and sequencing of highly degraded specimens (paleontological and archaeological eggshell and bone), some of great antiquity (up to 20,000 years old).
Since completing her PhD, Charlotte has actively collaborated with Professor Una Ryan and Emeritus Professor Peter Irwin, co-directors of the Vector and Water-borne Pathogen Research group. Her experience with highly degraded specimens and low copy number DNA, combined with next generation sequencing, has been used for the detection of putative pathogens from minute specimens.
Charlotte has focused her research to develop a molecular toolkit using next generation sequencing technology to profile the bacterial communities within ticks to investigate tick-borne disease.
Charlotte was awarded the 2015 Murdoch University Vice Chancellor’s Excellence in Research Award for Early Career Development and Achievement in Science.