Overview
Background
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.
Availability
- Dr Nicole Fortuna is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy of Biology, The University of Queensland
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.
Works
Search Professor Nicole Fortuna’s works on UQ eSpace
2023
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.
2022
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.
2022
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 .
2021
Other Outputs
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
2019
Journal Article
The dynamics of preferential host switching: host phylogeny as a key predictor of parasite distribution
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
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Nicole Fortuna is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Connecting gene networks to crop models to leverage prior knowledge for crop breeding.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Jordan, Professor Graeme Hammer, Dr Erik Van Oosterom, Professor Christine Beveridge
-
Doctor Philosophy
Computational modelling approach to understanding shoot architecture including plant branching and flowering.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jim Hanan, Dr Inigo Auzmendi, Professor Christine Beveridge
Media
Enquiries
For media enquiries about Dr Nicole Fortuna's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team: