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 2022 - 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

• O'Brien P, Tan S, Yang C, Frade P, Andreakis N, Smith H, Miller D, Webster N, Zhang G and Bourne D (in press) Diverse coral reef invertebrates exhibit patterns of phylosymbiosis. ISME Journal: multidisciplinary journal of microbial ecology, , DOI:10.1038/s41396-020-0671-x.
• 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, DOI:10.1007/s00338-019-01813-9.
• 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, Article: 1775, DOI:10.3389/fmicb.2019.01775.
• 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, DOI:10.1002/fee.2001.
• 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), Article: 190355, DOI:10.1098/rsos.190355.
• 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, Article: 362, DOI:10.3389/fmars.2019.00362.
• 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, Article: 2621, pp. 1-12, DOI:10.3389/fmicb.2018.02621.
• 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, Article: 2621, DOI:10.3389/fmicb.2018.02621.
• 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, Article: 8302, DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-26535-w.
• 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), Article: 10066, DOI:10.1038/s41598-017-10560-2.

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• Best practices for effective coral reef restoration through macroalgae removal and coral larvae enhancement at Magnetic Island. (Masters , External Advisor)
• Effects of Reef Restoration Techniques (Macroalgal Removal combined with Larval Capture and Release) on the Genetic Diversity and Connectivity in Scleratinian Populations of Magnetic Island, Australia;; (PhD , External Advisor)

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.