My research focuses on many aspects of coral biology and reef ecology, with the majority of my work taking a molecular approach. I investigate the microbial communities of corals, the functional genomics behind adaptation, and gene expression in response to stress and disease.

Most recently, I have been involved in developing and testing local scale reef restoration techniques on the Great Barrier Reef including macroalgae removal (“sea-weeding”) and coral larval enhancement (“coral IVF”) and investigating the ecosystem-wide effects of such techniques. This work is in partnership with Earthwatch Australia and incorporates citizen scientists, which allows a unique opportunity for science education and outreach.

Prior to my science career, I completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts and worked for several years in the arts. In addition to my scientific pursuits, I have a passion for creating conceptual scientific illustrations to bridge the gap between science and art, and to communicate complex scientific ideas with beautifully rendered images.

Interests

Research

• Microbial symbioses in marine invertebrates
• Genomic basis of stress tolerance and adaptation of corals to environmental change
• Ecological and biological effects and feasibility of reef restoration techniques
• Reproductive biology of corals

Experience

• 2017 to 2019 - Research Officer, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2017 - Environmental Officer, Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (Townsville)
• 2016 to 2017 - Research Assistant, JCU and ARC CoE for Coral Reef Studies (Townsville)

Research Disciplines

• Microbiology (0605)
• Evolutionary Biology (0603)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Climate and Climate Change (9603)
• Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity (9608)

Awards

• 2017 - JCU Academic Medal

Fellowships

• 2014 to 2015 - American Australian Association Sir Keith Murdoch Fellow

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Brodnicke O, Bourne D, Heron S, Pears R, Stella J, Smith H and Willis B (2019) Unravelling the links between heat stress, bleaching and disease: fate of tabular corals following a combined disease and bleaching event. Coral Reefs, 38. pp. 591-603
• Epstein H, Smith H, Cantin N, Mocellin V, Torda G and van Oppen M (2019) Temporal variation in the microbiome of Acropora coral species does not reflect seasonality. Frontiers In Microbiology, 10.
• Epstein H, Smith H, Torda G and van Oppen M (2019) Microbiome engineering: enhancing climate resilience in corals. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 17 (2). pp. 100-108
• Pollock F, Lamb J, van de Water J, Smith H, Schaffelke B, Willis B and Bourne D (2019) Reduced diversity and stability of coral-associated bacterial communities and suppressed immune function precedes disease onset in corals. Royal Society Open Science, 6 (6).
• Smith H, Moya A, Cantin N, van Oppen M and Torda G (2019) Observations of simultaneous sperm release and larval planulation suggest reproductive assurance in the coral Pocillopora acuta. Frontiers in Marine Science, 6.
• O'Brien P, Smith H, Fallon S, Fabricius K, Willis B, Morrow K and Bourne D (2018) Elevated CO₂ has little influence on the bacterial communities associated with the pH-tolerant coral, massive Porites spp. Frontiers in Microbiology, 9. pp. 1-12
• O'Brien P, Smith H, Fallon S, Fabricius K, Willis B, Morrow K and Bourne D (2018) Elevated CO2 has little influence on the bacterial communities associated with the pH-tolerant coral, massive Porites spp. Frontiers in Microbiology, 9.
• Ramsby B, Hoogenboom M, Smith H, Whalan S and Webster N (2018) The bioeroding sponge Cliona orientalis will not tolerate future projected ocean warming. Scientific Reports, 8.
• Smith H, Epstein H and Torda G (2017) The molecular basis of differential morphology and bleaching thresholds in two morphs of the coral Pocillopora acuta. Scientific Reports, 7 (1).

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